I use DVDFlick. It's free. Just Google it.

 

Thanks ,I'll give it a shot and post up results.

 

Check which types of DVD play in your DVD player - some older players ( I don't know if this applies to yours) won't play DVD+R or rewritables. Also did you burn them as data or as movie files?
The file types that HDD cameras use may not be compatible with your DVD player - try "making a movie" with your software rather than copying files. I don't have AVS Video Editor 4.1 here so can't comment on its capability - is there a "export to DVD" or "make DVD" or "make movie" option? If so use one of those to make your VOB files into a viewable DVD.
If all this is no help you could try VirtualDub available here:
http://www.virtualdub.org/
Hope this helps.

 

You must find a tool that can convert-author-burn all in one tool. I often use total video2dvd which is very easy to use for me. Only need drag your file to the list and click convert and burn to do all your jobs. :grin:

 

I have had great success with Nero's Nero Vision. It only needs the original files from your Sony Camcorder. Then you can make menus and finally burn to disc. As recommended above I would only use DVD-R to make it the most compatible with home DVD players. Also make sure when burning that you finalize your session or it will have trouble reading the disc on your home dvd player.

Down side to my solution: Nero Costs about $100 Bucks CDN

 

Thank you all for your replies! I am still struggling with this task. To update; I have now:
1. Copied the files from the HandyCam to my Hard Drive.
2. Edited the videos with AVS Video Editor 4.1 and when finished, saving it using a "Make Movie" type save.
3. Converted the finished AVS project to .avi files with Auto GK (this took forever).
4. Tried converting and authoring with DVD Flick (8.5 hr. convert) This seemed like it was going to work, then when it went to burn the disk I got an error message.
5. Now, I'm just trying to burn the -DVD Flick converted files- using CD Burn CD or what ever the default XP dvd burning program I have is.

 

What was the error you got burning in DVDFlick? Also when saving in AVS Video Editor what kind of options do you get?

 

I'm not in the program right now, because it takes forever to open because it opens the last program you were working on, but there are two options when you save. One is to save the version you are editing as a working program and the other is to save as a final movie. *Click* 'Save as Movie'.

I was successful in burning a dvd that played on my home player. However, the title screen with chapter selection options was not there. It went straight to playing. This is because I burned only the .VOB files, without any .IFO files. Also, this 'successful' disk had the same version burned to it multiple times (It is a -R disk with only one burn attempt).

Today I discovered that AVS has a free DVD authoring program. I downloaded it and tried to use it. I followed the instructions on their website exactly. The authoring software said it would take 3 disks. Fine. It seemed like it was working. Then I checked and it had burned one .IFO and three .VOB files and it decided that it should cancel on it's own. (It said "canceling" near the progress bar.) I have had trouble burning to dvd using anything other than the Windows CDBurnerXP program.

Could this be my problem? Why am I not able to burn anything to dvd using an alternate program? The drive just runs and runs, the light slowly flashes on and off, and I have to cold shut down and restart to get the drive to eject.

Again, thanks for your help. With all the questions that appear on this board I'm surprised I've had so much help. I would love to see "CLOSED" in bold next to my thread title

 

i use this
http://www.dvdsanta.com/
d/load the trial first and see if it fixes the problem
the full version is not free but is not expensive either