hey, i have been looking for copies of a cartoon from the 80's. I finally found it to give for a christmas gift, but its in vcd format and i was wondering if there is anyway i can convert it to dvd format. The person to whom im giving the gift - dvd player wont play vcd's and neither will his laptop. Help!!!!

-- greg reid (gareid@hotmail.com), December 16, 2003

Answers

Yes, you can do this. I think there are guides on http://www.vcdhelp.com. Basically, you have to use something like VCDgear (do a web search to find it) to convert the VCD's *.dat file in the MPEGAV directory on the VCD back to *.mpg, then you have to demux the *.mpg file into separate audio and video streams. Next, you have to convert the audio from 44 MHz to 48 MHz. Although MPEG audio is valid for DVD, the specs do state that technically it can not be the only audio track on a DVD, so you may have to convert it from MPEG audio to Dolby AC3. Finally, you will have to author it to DVD. I would recommend you consider using the DV-Lab DVD authoring program. Do a web search or ask about it on the SVCD forum at http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/70438. Although MPEG-1 video is legal for DVDs, some authoring programs will not let you use it. DV-Lab will probably let you use MPEG audio in your DVD and it will allow you to use MPEG-1 video. It is possible to play VCDs in any Windows or Mac laptop. If that person installs a software DVD player such as Win DVD or PowerDVD, they will definitely be able to play the VCD.

-- Root (root@yahoo.moc), December 17, 2003.

Correction to previous reply. The authoring tool is called DVD-Lab and it's at http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab

-- Root (root@yahoo.moc), December 17, 2003.

you can play the vcds/svcds on the laptop. you need to have a dvd player installed like powerDVD even if you dont have a dvd player. you need the mpeg-2 codec that the dvd program provides. Secondly, older dvd players wont play VCD or SVCD. APEX dvd players are cheap as heck and play everything!!!...that solves that. if you want to convert it to a vcd/svcd to dvd it takes time...and effort. if still interested hit me back on the email....PEACE.

-- dee (d165ee@yahoo.com), December 29, 2003.