How do you tansfer movie files from a dvd from your camcorder?

Question

I am about to buy a camcorder and i need to know how to get video from the dvds without losing quality. I want a free solution to this as i will be spending money to buy my camcorder

Answer 1

If you want good quality video to edit in your computer, you won't get a DVD based camcorder. The discs record for 20 minutes and the VOB/VRO video files are even more compressed than flash memory or hard drive based camcorders. Best available video quality continues to come from miniDV tape based camcorders because it compresses DV the least.

Look at what the pros use:

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-broadca...

http://www.panasonic.com/business/provid...

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/contro...

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/categ...

If they use a hard drive or flash memory, the format is save as DV (or HDV) - the same as miniDV tape. Not highly compressed MPEG2 or AVCHD like the consumer camcorders do. You may not be a pro, but you can use the same tools they do - and miniDV tape is the basis.

Least expensive camcorders with a mic-in jack (but no manual audio control):

Canon ZR800, 900, 930

Least expensive camcorders with mic in AND manual audio control:

Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7, HC9.