Creating mp3 and mpeg files

[GavinPearson]

I need advice about what software and hardware to buy.

I have some analogue videos and some voice recordings I want to make digital copies of.

As the recordings are videos of my son I want to be able to record them from an NTSC 60 Hz source and then have them play back on PAL 50Hz.

Can anybody recommend appropriate hardware and software to load the recordings and then edit and create DVDs / Video CDs / mp3s and mpeg files?

[ErnestM]

Gavin:

Click here Everything that you need in one package...

ErnestM

[GavinPearson]

ErnestM said:

Gavin: Click here Everything that you need in one package... ErnestM

Thanks for the link.

Do you have experience in using it?

I want to be able to chop video up to the frame and would like to know if this is possible - I went to a reputable computer store today and nobody really knew.

In addition, can you look at the audio waveform to set the levels correctly and chop out dead spaces?

[ErnestM]

My Dad uses Pinnacle exclusively. He even has that USB capture doohicky (technical term) referenced in the link. He, primarily, uses it to import all of his vhs tapes and burn them to DVD.

I use the Adobe Suite myself (Premier Pro 2.0, Adobe Audition, Encore, Etc). I know with Adobe Audition you can do exactly what you described (waveform editing) plus a lot more (music mixing, 5.1 creation, multichannel independent source save for DTS import, etc). I don't know what Pinnacle's audio capabilities are but their video will let you convert NTSC/PAL.

ErnestM

[GavinPearson]

Thanks Ernest.

Just out of interest, how do you rate the Adobe products?

[ErnestM]

I don't use anything but. Fantastic. Steep learning curve. You definitely need to rtfm prior to using them. A lot of people don't want to spend circa $1600 US for a "hobby" however, so that needs to be taken into consideration.

The plugins available for Premier are simply MIND BOGGLING though. I've actually got some of the same plugins that they used to do some FX on Spider-Man. The 5.1 dolby support is very good (once you figure out how to create a multi-channel plus discrete stream in Audition). My next project is to incorporate DTS in my home movies through Encore...

ErnestM