My first child is due in November and I would like to buy my first camcorder before she arrives to begin capturing her life in film (or whatever). What I would like to do is be able to shoot video, then use my computer to edit it and transfer it to DVD.

After reading several online articles about how to transfer video from DV (AVI, I think?) to DVD (MPEG-2?) format, it sounds like a little much for me and my husband. So, I was wondering if the transfer of video from DVD to DVD would be easier?

What would I need to do this? Here's what I'm thinking would probably be necessary:

- Camcorder: I'm thinking the Hitachi DZ-MV580A or the Panasonic VDR-M70, both of which record to DVD-R or DVD-RAM. I know DVD-RAM can't be played on most DVD players, but I'm playing on transferring it to DVD-R via my computer anyway, so I don't think this will be an issue.
- DVD-RW Drive (internal): Any recommendations? I'm assuming the DVD writing software would come with it, is this correct?
- DVD-ROM Drive: Would buying one of these allow me to copy directly from the DVD-RAM disk to a DVD-R? Or, should I just invest in a larger hard drive (I currently have a 40 GB)
- DVD Editing Software - or does this come with the camcorder? Any recommendations about software (as well as an expected price)? I think I just want to do some general editing, maybe some transitions and index/menuing.

Is there anything else I'll need or anything I'm leaving out? Is the process to record to the DVD-RAM via the camcorder, transfer to the hard drive, edit as needed and burn to the DVD-R?

Any suggestions/info/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Carla

Very few people have these DVD camcorders so you will be hard pressed to find someone that can answer your questions? The most likely place to find help is in the DVD Camcorder forum. Read everything there and you should find some help.

My advice is to stay away from those DVD camcorders. Get a MiniDV and a DVD recorder such as the Panasonic DMR-E85 which has a 120GB hard drive. Just transfer your S-video or composite video to the recorders hard drive and edit it. Then burn DVD-R's from your edited hard drive copy. Very simple, very fast, no buggy software to buy, excellent results on $.60 DVD-R 4.7GB media.

Dave

It can all be complicated depending on the steps you take. What equipment and software problems you encounter etc.

1. Shoot video with MiniDV camcorder.
2. Transfer to computer via firewire as .AVI file.
3. Edit .AVI file in editor as desired.
4. Output the .AVI file to DVD Authoring program (encodes .AVI to MPEG-2, then make menus, then burn DVD).

A lot depends on a variety of factors. DaveC has a good system that works well with him. At this point I enjoy editing the video, especially my 10 to 15 year old tapes.

We are not in disagreement on methods. And we are in strong agreement to go the MiniDV route.

The software I have received with many CD burners over the years has always been replaced with full functioning software. The same for my last three DVD burners.

Same goes for camcorder software for me.

I think you can get a better quality MiniDV camcorder for the money (or less) than a DVD camcorder. Some other advantages of MiniDV are 60 minutes of recording high quality video vs 20 minutes. Cost of MiniDV vs DVD's for the camcorder.



Rich

Thanks for the advice. Assuming we go the MiniDV and computer route, do you have suggestion about what cameras, software, etc. would be good? I'm a total newbie in this area and am having a difficult time figuring out what people are talking about on the various boards. I'm not even sure which programs are editors and which are DVD authoring programs!

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Carla

First, welcome to the site. You'll find lots of people here willing to help with your questions.

Making DVDs with your computer is not as difficult as you might think. For starters, I've written a tutorial on this topic. I suggest you read it. It's here:

http://patmedia.net/dennisvogel

For cameras, go to some of the camcorder forums here. Lots of people like the Panasonic GS120, 200 and 400. Sony has some nice models as do other vendors. Also this site has some great reviews. You need to determine how much you want to spend and what kind of features you want. E.g., all automatic or some manual features. That's just one thing. Do you have a digital camera? Do you use it in automatic mode most or all of the time or do you try some manual features for certain situations where auto doesn't cut it?

Software: same kind of thing. Check out the Computer Digital Video forum for some general software discussions and the program-specific forums for more details. Lots of folks use Ulead and Pinnacle. I like Sony's video editing software (as do lots of other folks here). There's also TMPGEnc. Virtually all of these programs have free trial versions available. An internet search will take you to the vendor's sites.

I will add that generally the software that comes bundled with cams, DVD burners, etc. is 2nd or 3rd grade stuff. They might get you by for a while but if you're the least bit creative and curious you will outgrow them very quickly.That's probably because many do all those functions. My tutorial should help.
Good luck.

Dennis

Hello
Would you Like To Tell Me The Same Procedure For Dvd handyCams.Transfer and Then Burn In Dvd Thanks

I can't because I have never actually done it with a DVD camcorder. Some people seem to have problems getting the files off the DVD, editing the files, authoring the files or writing the DVD. I don't know what the problems really are but it should be no problem if the DVD Camcorder produces real MPEG2 video/audio files. It should be a matter of using the proper software correctly.


Rich

__________________
FireWire Survey

Hello Dennis
I read your How To Make A DVD - A Tutorial

I am really thankfull to you .. i have few Questions .If you don't mind Please Answer them thanks
1.Which Dvd Rw drive is Good For my pc thats plays Sony dvd Camcorder?

2.I am gonna Make my dvd movie in pc from sony software. i want option in that background music and if i like change Audio in my dvd player. like real recorded Voice.. I want both. like in normal dvd movies. change audio to english french and other languages .hope get my point thanks.

3.And i will Ask other in later If get in Problem Thanks

regardingly
Jaan99

Thanks, I'm glad it helped.If you have a DVD camcorder then you're talking about DVD-ROMS, not burners. I would guess any would play your DVDs. I think they are all about the same. You might have to use special software that came with the cam to play the DVDs it records. But I may not be understanding what you are doing. Later you mention making DVDs so I'm not sure if you are talking about playing DVDs from your camcorder or making new DVDs.I think you're asking if you can make multiple language tracks, right? Yes, you can with the right software. Not all DVD authoring programs support that. Check the specs on any programs you're considering before you buy.

If you want to do that you'll have to create the second language audio track yourself. If you're shooting video with a camcorder you'll only have a single audio track. I don't know how you'll recreate the ambient sound that is recorded with the original audio. That's a recording issue, not a software issue.

But, as I said above, you're using a DVD camcorder I think. Making DVDs from DVD camcorders is not an easy thing to do for several reasons. I won't go into them here. This is discussed often here in threads about DVD cams vs MiniDV cams. Do a search and you'll find some of the issues.OK. If I can answer I will.

Good luck.

Dennis