Convert AVI to either DVD, VCD or SVCD format
 

I have an AVI file on my harddrive that I would like to burn to either a videocd or a dvd.

I currently have dvdauthor, transcode, mjpegtools and numerous other programs like that installed on Ubuntu.

Is there an easy way to do this?

Also, is there a way using transcode or something to compress an avi file?

try this

http://tovid.sourceforge.net/

regards

Hey. I'm giving tovid a shot right now. I'm just using it to convert the file. I'll most likely still use dvdauthor and k3b to burn the file to DVD, all I needed was something to convert the file to the proper format, and this appeared to have that capability.

Anyways, I'll post back and let you know how it went.

Thx!

Video encoding seems to take forever with these scripts, which is odd because if I use transcode and other such tools directly, it goes much faster. Is 2 hours to convert a 700 MB AVI to vcd while running the CPU at 100% normal? What about 4 hours for the same file trying to convert to dvd format? My lower times are normally working with vob files ive ripped from a dvd (legally mind you). Do AVI files normally take this long to work with?

What I'm worried about is that I have been having problems with my CPU running hot lately. It seems to be running better now that I have applied Thermal Paste, but it still worries me leaving my computer running at such a high cpu load for that long of a time.

I have an Athlon XP 2200+. The CPU at one point was almost hitting 60 degrees celcius, so I immediately shut the computer off. After applying the thermal paste, I have been using xsensors to monitor the cpu and motherboard temperatures. When I first turn my computer on, my CPU is around 35 degrees. Now it is at 45 degrees after running for a few days, but not under high loads.

Do you think I have anything to worry about?

Is 2 hours to convert a 700 MB AVI to vcd while running the CPU at 100% normal?

yes they may take this time
the time also matters on what parmaters u want to convert
the bit rate, resolution etc


regards

Thanks Masand. This works well with Ubuntu 8.04 (gOS Gadgets), but I had to download various other packages as well, through Synaptic, such as ImageMagick, to make it work. The list is at http://tovid.wikia.com/wiki/Tovid_dependencies#Dependency_list. I know this is an old post, but is still relevant, IMO. Greg

ffmpeg -i input.avi -target ntsc-vcd output.mpg
ffmpeg -i input.avi -target ntsc-svcd output.mpg
ffmpeg -i input.avi -target ntsc-dvd output.mpg

Note: Replace ntsc with pal where appropriate.

Try using ffmpeg. Ffmpeg will use preset values for video encoding based on keywords from the command line.
From above, the first will create a ntsc vcd compatible file, the second, a ntsc svcd file and lastly, a ntsc dvd compatible file.

For this example lets make a dvd compatible file and disc.

ffmpeg -i input.avi -target ntsc-dvd output.mpg

Next, we do dvd authoring, we use a directory called tempdir for this example.

dvdauthor -o tempdir -t output.mpg

Next, type

dvdauthor -o tempdir -T

Next, open k3b and choose "New Video DVD project" from the further actions button.

On the left panel, double click on VIDEO_TS

On the top window, change to the directory where you did the dvd authoring and open the VIDEO_TS folder. Select all files and drag to the bottom window.

Next, click on burn.

That's it.

These steps will create a dvd that will play automatically when played on a dvd player.

If you wish to create a dvd with menus and such, just do the ffmpeg part and use a program called dvdstyler. Once you added the menus, titles, images etc, dvdstyler will use a xml file to create an iso image. To burn the iso image go to Tools -> Burn DVD iso image


Hope this helps

Thanks, this works like a charm. A script file would really be nice to automate the steps.

I ever used this DVD Creator to burn an AVI movie to a blank DVD Disc, the conversion speed is very fast, and most importance is it is totally free for 30 days.

thanks for this post. the instructions are still valid at this writing. and my hp 64bit thanks you. didn't time the conversion of the 700mb avi file, but i was able to do other things while it cooked. cd burn was just shy of 8 min. and k3b spit out the dvd when it was done. that was amazing, considering the reluctance of other s/w.

Are you kidding? This is a windoze program. Why would you post this on a Linux forum?

i was referring to the script from dy502. the "totally free for 30 days" told me that spam was not of our world.

after two painful experiences (to accommodate my lovely spouse), i can assure you that adding codecs is easier than putting your processor(s) into an anaerobic state for an inordinate amount of time to simply produce vob files. i'm willing to try a specific file with my player(s) if you can cite an example.

The script that dv502 is good, but there is no ability to select a movie if there is more than one, it needs to have some kind of menu selection.

I use tovid to make dvds from video files
http://tovid.wikia.com/wiki/Tovid_Wiki

You can make text menus as well as thumbnails like you see with commercial dvds. It can also add visual effects to the menus as well.