Techie advice needed

[SuperScout]

Been seriously thinking about upgrading my computer system, storage-wise and capability-wise, to include a DVD burner. In order to save a bunch of 35mm slides I have from my tours in the Land of the Live-fire Exercise, I'll probably need to scan them first, then burn them into a DVD.

Being somewhat of a cyber-goober, I'd like to ask for recommendations about what you have that works, why you like it, or what to avoid. Any tips on making the slide-to-DVD conversion would als be helpful.

Thanks in advance!
Brice

[b3196]

Dear Goober
The upfront piece of equipment you need is a good scanner, make sure its set up to scan pictures, slides, and negatives, Scanners are kinda like digital cameras, they're rated by the density of the scan. What I did was scan all my slides, downloaded them to a file then commenced to burning them onto DVD.
If you have a good photo editor program. you can lighten, darken or just enhance the picture, add captions etc etc. Good size hard drive 60 gig or better 512 k or more of memory. When you scan the pics make them all the same type (jpeg is the most common)
Bob K

[Jerry D]

Brice,
For video editing you need 1gig or more of RAM to do anything faST, with less then a gig it takes real time to record video to a DVD burner. when you get a DVD burner get one with DVD+RW and -RW. Dual format makes for a longer lasting format to work with and the PLUS format is the newer faster format.I would also sugest getting a good Video Card to go with your new DVD recorder to view movies with since you can burn older VHS movies to DVD with a Video card that has a Colour composite/RF tuner/S-video input. My wife likes the ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder? series cards.
I have found Verbatim and RiData +R printable blank disc to work very well with a low failure rate.I have an old Philips DVD +RW/R burner my wife has a LiteOn dual format + or - RW/R and they both work well.Hope this helps you with the DVD burner.

[SuperScout]

Booger,

Do you have any recommendations on brand names ot purchase, what to avoid?

JerryD,
Thanks for the heads-up on stuff! All this scanning and burning may take me a bit of time, but it's a chore that needs to get done.

[b3196]

Brice
When I get home I'll give you a list of the harware and software I use,
Bob K