If this subject has been explored before, please point me in the right direction. I searched the forum but could not find anything specific.
I am now using Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. I previously used Vista Ultimate 64 bit. I have several Windows Media Center recorded TV programs both in DVR-MS format (older Vista) and in WTV format (newer Win7). I have read in Steve's book that PRE7 is happiest with DV-AVI format source files for editing. I would like to be able to convert the DVR-MS/WTV files to DV-AVI (with a minimum of effort) in order to import them into PRE 7 for editing, mostly to remove commercials and burn to DVD. So far, I have tried using a free converter (SUPER latest version v2010.build.38) and several commercial products (AVS Video Converter 6 version 6.4.4.420 and Digital Media Converter Pro version 3.2). All three of these programs support converting either DVR-MS or WTV source files to DV-AVI files. Now, I understand about AVI being just a "container" format where you have to specify which video and audio codecs to use. Therein lies my problem. I apparently don't know which codecs or specs to use. Nothing I have tried so far has resulted in a file that will successfully import into PRE7 and BOTH show the video and play the audio at the same time, although the files will successfully play with sound in Windows Media Player. Typically, I get a file that once imported into PRE7 will play the video OK, but the audio is not present. Not being a complete "doad", I have taken DV-AVI files from my Sony Handycam, which import just fine as expected, and put them into programs such as GSpot (v2.70a) and MediaInfo (v0.7.34 64 bit) to discover the "hidden" codec properties within the AVI container, and tried to specify as closely as possible the same codec specs to the converter programs. Alas, there is no joy in Mudville.
Has anyone out there been successful in making such a conversion to an AVI file, and if so what did you do? Can anyone give suggestions? I can provide as much detail as needed on what I have tried.
BTW: The new Windows Live Movie Maker does support DVR-MS/WTV source files, but does not support exporting to DV-AVI anymore, only WMV. Oh you pseudo gurus at Microsoft, why did you do this, the old Movie Maker was so much more versatile! WMV files will import OK into PRE7, but I am trying to stay with what is said to be the best work flow for PRE7. I have also tried used Sony Vegas Pro 9e 64 bit with similar but even more disappointing results. Even some of the video does not play!
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.