Are there any .rec examples available for download so I can check that my pc is capable of transfering them to dvd?

Want to make sure I can archive before buying a Toppy.


Cheers

Why do you think that your PC might not be capable of converting a .rec to a DVD? Most PCs can do it, with the right software, of course?

I'm currently trying to capture live from a set top box to Pinnacle studio SE but just cannot get the audio to sync. It seems to be about 2 secs before the video.

I'm guessing with the Toppy I wont be 'capturing' but just transfering so the video and audio will remain together.

Of course I want to make sure the quality is there before I spent the £300!

Cheers

If you use the right combination of software then the quality is exactly as you recorded it on the Toppy (i.e: as it was broadcast) and there are no sync problems, use the wrong software and you will get sync problems and a reduction in picture quality.

It's not down to the Toppy it is down to what you use on your PC to convert the .rec file to the right format for a DVD.

The solutions are discussed in far more detail on www.toppy.org.uk, I personally used VideoRedo to cut out adverts and trim the beginning and end of the programme and then a prog called ConvertXtoDVD from VSO to convert the MPEG files created by VideoRedo to .VOB files ready to go on a DVD, I then burn the finished DVD using Nero 7.

My success rate is 100% so far.

I agree totally with burundi.
VideoRedo is the software to use. Very easy to cut out adverts and produce an avi file.

Certainly does, but then you need to create the VOBs and IFOs and burn the lot to a DVD. That prog burundi suggested looks worth a look. Otherwise, there is DVB Studio Pro that'll do it in two ticks. Alternatively, you may want to look at ProjectX which is a very complicated Java app that (if you're bright like Cliff) can be used to do all sorts of things.

If you want i can send you a short ( 3 minute).rec file thats 72mb in size via e-mail if you P.M me your e-mail address.

Thanks for reading and responding to my post Richard_T.
In the end I used streamclip to create a .rec file and then project x to convert to m2p, then PVAS to create a mpeg which Pinnacle can remove adverts and copy to dvd.

there is piece of sotware available, don't remeber the name but surely you can find it on toppy.org, wich would allow you to remove adverts directly from the .rec file. BUT currently this piece of software does not play audio only the video.

I find MPEGStreamclip to be a top piece of software for editing the adverts out of a .rec file. It can also produce files with .rec headers that will play on the Toppy.

So, as you have seen, figrin_dan, you can do most anything with a Toppy.

So I see Rhubarbe. Bit of a shame I knew all that and asked a question that only one person seems to have read!

That's gratitude for ya! You asked if you could download a .rec file to try for convert to DVD yourself, and we then told you, from experience that it is very easy to do, and gave you the names of the required programs.

I knew this would happen!

I finally spent my money, recorded some programmes and copied to my PC. No problems there.

Using Project X, It just would not create a decent M2P file from my short TMF show. Did alright with a BBC1 show though.

Pinnacle did all the work on the MPG file but gives up right at the end of creating the DVD.

Now I don't know if the problem is with 1)The Toppy, 2) Project X, 3) PVAS or 4) Pinnacle.

The problem is most likely that the show from TMF is not broadcast using paramters that are compatible with the DVD standard. Some channels tweak their MPEG2 settings to get the best out of their bandwidth, and in doing so end up outwith the DVD spec.

While the latest DVD players may have no problems, older ones that are more strict may do, and so some software refused to let you burn non-compliant files to DVD.

Nigel.

Thanks Nigel,
That may explain TMF but not the BBC1 problem, which I realise should have been worded like this:

"Project X did alright with a BBC1 show though, but Pinnacle tried to do all the work on the MPG file then gave up right at the end of creating the DVD."

I think I have solved it; I have now binned Project X and PVAS and used MPEG Streamclip instead. It's much easier, quicker and if you just make MPG files you don't need the Apple plug in. The BBC1 show now works fine. (I deleted the TMF show as it was rubbish anyway)

Using video redo to cut adverts and convert from .rec to mpg and nero to burn mpg to DVD - haven't burn't a single coaster yet from the Toppy recordings.