How can I transfer video from my Panasonic DVD Video Camera onto my computer?

Question

I'm trying to transfer video taken from my DVD video camera to my computer(and save it). I had to install the CD it gave me, which installed DVD-MovieAlbumSE, My DVD...etc. If I try to put the video on my computer with a program my camera gave me, it says my DVD is invalid, it needs to be a UDF2.0 rather than UDF1.5(which is what the guy at the store gave us). One of the programs lets me copy the DVD then transfer it to a blank DVD. If I try to copy it some other way, or use the program "DVD Form", it says it's invalid, I need to change it to NTS(I forgot the abbreviation, but its the TV setting, but its already on that setting...), it says I need to change the AV setting on the CD, it says it needs to be changed to AVI...it gives me an error message. I want to save it to my computer so I can use my Windows Video Editor feature to make it 1 full movie on 1 DVD disk. What should I do, get new disks to record on in the future, so this doesn't happen again? What type of disks?

Answer 1

Your DVD based camcorder is working as designed. If you can, take it back for a refund - or swap with a miniDV tape based camcorder.

MiniDV tape continues to provide the BEST available video quality. DVD based camcorders provide the WORST available video quality - especially for editing. Hard drive and certain higher-end flash memory based camcorders are better than DVD cams - but not as good as miniDV tape cams.

If your computer has a drawer loading optical drive that can read DVDs, then download and install HandBreak:

http://handbrake.fr/

You will use HandBrake to rip the video from the DVD. Then it will be in a format that MovieMaker can understand.

If your computer's optical drive is slot loading or if it can only handle CDs, then you will need an analog/digital bridge like those from

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us... (if your computer has only USB) or

http://canopus.com/products/videoconvers...

if your computer has a firewire400 port.

Thank you SO much for posting - you have pointed out one - of MANY - reasons why DVD based camcorders should be avoided and why the manufacturers should recall them and refund everyone's money.