I'm thinking of buying a MiniDV video camera- How difficult is it to get the video from the DV tape to a DVD?

Similar questions: thinking buying MiniDV video camera difficult DV tape DVD.

There are several ways to transfer to DVD, using a DVD recorder with a firewire (DV) input is probably the easiest. Many DVD recorders now have a firewire input for transferring the output of a minidv camcorder to DVD. Prices start at a little over $100, one popular model is the Panasonic DMR-ES15S.

You’ll need a firewire cable, probably 6 pin to 4 pin, which likely did not come with your video camera. 4 pin connector is probably goes to the camcorder and 6 pin to the dvd recorder. If you have a DVD burner on your PC, and you want to do a lot of editing, that’s not as easy, but very doable.

You’ll need a fast computer at least 2 ghz, 1 gb memory or more. Faster is better, and dual core cpu’s help a lot with encoding. Otherwise encoding for the DVD can take a couple of hours or more.

You’ll need lots of disk space, 20-50gb for storing and working with the DV videos file from your camcorder. Some software will convert the mini DV video files to the DVD format "on the fly" as you transfer to your PC, which takes less disk space. I prefer to edit the video files before converting to the DVD format (add titles, take out scenes, etc).

Each time you edit and re encode, the quality goes down a little, so I don’t encode till the last step. You’ll want a firewire port on your PC, capture from USB is much more difficult. If your PC doesn’t have a firewire port, they’re fairly easy to add.

You’ll need software for taking the video from your camcorder to your PC, and for editing and burning to dvd. Your camcorder probably came with software but its probably not very good. I like Nero Ultra or Easy Media Creator for doing this, plenty of options for editing for new and experienced users.

There are many many programs available though, some cheaper, some much more expensive and powerful. Once the software is installed, all you do is plug the camcorder into the firewire port on your PC, launch the software, and then tell the software to transfer the DV file from the camcorder to your PC. You’ll be able to control the camcorder from the software, and ff or rew to different scenes, and see them on your PC screen, and choose what clips to transfer.

After the DVD file is transferred, the software can be used to add titles, transitions between scenes, edit out or move clips, etc. Depending on what you want to do this can take a while, but its pretty fun to look at transitions, scrolling titles, etc. After editing, you then tell the software to burn to DVD, which first involves an encoding step to convert the video file to DVD format (MPEG2). This is the step that takes the most computer horsepower. After encoding, the file is burned to DVD, which takes 15 minutes or less if you have a fast DVD burner.

Usually the encoding and burning is combined into one step by the software. If your PC doesn't have a burner, you can buy internal dvd burners for under $50, and external USB connected burners for not much more. Nealc10's Recommendations Roxio Easy Media Creator Suite 9 Amazon List Price: $99.95 Used from: $29.88 Average Customer Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (based on 143 reviews) Nero 7 Ultra Edition Enhanced Amazon List Price: $99.99 Used from: $68.00 Average Customer Rating: 3.0 out of 5 (based on 32 reviews) You'll need software like this on your PC for miniDV transfers, editing, and burning to DVD nealc10's Recommendations Panasonic DMR-ES15S DVD Recorder with DV Input Amazon List Price: $169.00 Used from: $94.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 77 reviews) Phoenix Gold IEEE-1394 4-Pin/6-Pin FireWire Cable (2 Meters) Used from: $4.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) Using a DVD recorder is probably the easiest way to transfer miniDV files to DVD.

Nealc10's Recommendations Trendware Usa TFW-H3PI 3PORT Firewire Pci Card Adapter with 6FT Firewire Cable Amazon List Price: $0.00 Used from: $19.950 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) I strongly recommending using a PC with firewire inputs for transferring mini DV files from a camcorder to PC..

Not hard Not hard if you also have DVD recorder. Simply hook the mini-DV camera up to the recorder hit record, then play in the mni-dv. I actually prefer a mini-dv recorder for the simple fact that they are much cheaper than the mini-DVD recorders and give you excellent quality.At least thats true for the one I bought last year.

When I bought a DVD recorder I mad sure and got one with front loading RCA jacks so I wouldn't have to pull it out each time I wanted to hook into it. DVD recorders have dropped in price over the last year and I've seen them for right around 100 dollars. You may be able to accomplish the same thing with the proper computer and equipment.

However, unless you already have that equipment and software the DVD recorder is the lowest cost answer.

Not difficult, but it is done in real time MiniDV is a linear medium. It is digital but still recorded onto tape rather than disk. So... instead of being able to transfer the video file (as on DVD or HDD camcorders), you must dub it into your computer.

Software will be provided to do this in the box of the camcorder. You will connect your camera to the pc using USB or Firewire, and dub the video onto your hard drive. This may be in real-time (meaning if it is a 45 min video, it will take 45 mins.

Some may have the capability to dub at high speeds (such as 2x or 4x) Hope this helps! Dwdrums's Recommendations Sony DCR-DVD308 1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom Amazon List Price: $549.99 Used from: $384.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) This camera records onto a DVD which can go directly into your DVD-rom drive to transfer to your hard drive...

1 My answer assumed you knew what to do with the video once it was on your computer. You could of course burn to DVD in a compatable format for your DVD player. Or you can burn it just like a DVD you would buy from the store, which will play in any DVD player.

If you also have a standalone DVD recorder unit, you can dub directly to this.

My answer assumed you knew what to do with the video once it was on your computer. You could of course burn to DVD in a compatable format for your DVD player. Or you can burn it just like a DVD you would buy from the store, which will play in any DVD player.

If you also have a standalone DVD recorder unit, you can dub directly to this.

2 Thanks again. Your comment combined with the others, really helped to make it clear.

Thanks again. Your comment combined with the others, really helped to make it clear.

I am thinking about buying a DVD recorder. Does anyone have a suggestion or what to look for? " "I'm thinking of buying a DVD-R, what recommendations can you give me?" "what is a good mid-range professional video camera for use in small church for duplocating services on dvd" "If someone is selling a dvd on a website like ebay and the person tells you that your are buying a regular DV-R copy" "I have a 8 video tape to transfer to DVD" "my tape is stuck in my video camera and can't get it out even with the directions" "I'm thinking of buying Quicken 2007 for small business.

Would you recommend it? " "Thinking about buying a digital camera..." "I am thinking of buying the Kodak DX7590 , used. Does anyone have any pros and cons for this camera?

" "how many hours of high def video best quality can a Mini DV tape record?

I am thinking about buying a DVD recorder. Does anyone have a suggestion or what to look for?

What is a good mid-range professional video camera for use in small church for duplocating services on dvd.

If someone is selling a dvd on a website like ebay and the person tells you that your are buying a regular DV-R copy.

My tape is stuck in my video camera and can't get it out even with the directions.

I'm thinking of buying Quicken 2007 for small business. Would you recommend it?

I am thinking of buying the Kodak DX7590 , used. Does anyone have any pros and cons for this camera?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.