Jetrell Fo said:

Questions I'd like to find straight & simple layman answers to are.....

1. What is the best way to hook these up to maintain audio/video quality?

Hook the LD player straight up to the DVD recorder. I suspect that in this case s-video will be best, but I'm not certain. You will need to test both s-video and composite video connections to see which gives the best results.

2. Should I consider a separate TBC of some kind to go between the LD and it's next connection?

No, TBC is only worth it for VHS. Not required for LD capture.

3. Should I consider a different DVD Recorder if I want a "lossless" audio/video quality?

DVD recorders compress to MPEG-2, so are not lossless. Use the highest quality mode you can for the initial capture.

If you want lossless, you should consider a video capture/TV card for your PC. A cheap one would be adequate for your needs.

4. Concerning software for the DVD authoring/editing process, what should I consider using to connect the actual video portions while editing out the side-flips and such?

This is a matter of choice. Personally I would use AviSynth for editing/putting the sides together, CCE for the final encode then Muxman for the authoring (or something else if DVD menus are required).

5. Lastly, are there those here with open slots in their schedules with no projects in line that might consider offering their assistance to do these for me if I cannot afford any possible higher end equipment to complete such a project?

Pass.