[jboy]

I have many mpg files I have recorded over the years and and want to put them on a DVD and play them. The problem is I have them in hundreds of seperate folders. As Sony names them all the same when I attempt to combine them in one directory to burn I keep getting the question to overwrite, how can I force a rename of each file without having to go in and change hundreds of filenames manually?

[smax013]

Do you mean mpeg files? If so, which type? Audio (mp2, mp3) or video (mpeg-2, mpeg-3 or mpeg-4)?

And when you say you to "...put them on a DVD and play them", do you want to put that DVD in a standard DVD player hooked up to a TV/stereo system? Or just burn them to DVD as a "data disk" and be able to insert them into your computer and play them on the computer?

[jboy]

Mpeg-3 video files. I would like to find out both methods if possible ("normal" DVD and on a PC) If only one option then the PC is preferable

[smax013]

jboy said:

Mpeg-3 video files. I would like to find out both methods if possible ("normal" DVD and on a PC) If only one option then the PC is preferable

The PC "way" is basically no different than burning any other file to a DVD (or CD). You just need typical burning software to do. You should be able to use Windoze built-in burning capability (assuming you are using at least Windoze XP). You just burn the mpeg-3 file to the DVD as a data file and then you should be able to stick the DVD into the computer (as long as it was burned as a DVD+/-R) and play the mpeg-3 file with your usual video player.

For creating a video DVD that is playable on a typical DVD player, you need DVD authoring software. This software will do two things: 1) encode the video file into a format that a standard DVD player can play back as well as potentially setup the menu structure and 2) then burn those newly encoded video files to the DVD such that a DVD player can make use of them. There are a variety of DVD authoring programs available and if your computer came with a DVD burning, there is a chance it came with some DVD authoring software.

[jboy]

I understand how to burn DVDs, my question relates to the fact I have MEPG 3 files in different folders, many of which have the same filename. I want to copy all MPEGs to the same folder and burn them but because there are many that have the same filename there is a bunch of overwriting going on, how can I correct this?

[bontiveroz79]

which software are you using ..... need more information ..... at the time that you created this files it should of gave you an option to "save as" or something buy chance are these files that you made yourself or they movies that you have downloaded... if so some of the files that you need to convert them to the proper file ext.



GOOD luck let me know if you need anything else

[rgreen4]

Before you copy from one folder to another, change the name of one of the files, either with a 2 or an a on the end. In additon, when you copy from one folder to another, if it comes up and asks to overwrite, note the file name and then click on no. Change the name of the file as above, and then copy. When you have all of them copied they should be deleted on the old folder. If both folders are on the same drive, Windows will do this automatically. If they are on different drives, then you will have to delete the old ones manually.

[jboy]

Thanks for the help, I understand what you are saying, however, I was looking for an automated way to have s/w smart enough to relaize I have the same filename and automatically rename it, like by adding a (2) with no interacation on my part. I want to use windows explorer to list all MPEGs on my drive and copy them into one folder. The reson I have so many MPEGs with the same filename is I simply download the contents of my camera to a folder associated with the date of download. For instance, I have a folder named Jul 12 08, and one named JUl 13 08. And each of them has MPEGS listed MOV1234, 12345, etc.

[rgreen4]

I have never used a digital movie camera, and my still cameras all number sequentially from the start regardless of date. Now if I modify the image, I save it in a separate folder with a different name so the original is maintained as it was originally downloaded. I also usually break up the folders so that I never have more than 100 photos in a folder. I have well over a thousand digital shots across the three cameras, and to put them all in one folder would just not work.
The reason for the 100 is I like the thumbnail view (small images) and more than that is difficult to manage, at least for me.

[snorg]

There is a free program called THE Rename that you mite like.

[SnyperTodd]

You must be running Windows XP, because Vista will do this automatically for you. I don't know of a standalone program, but someone on here probably does...