How do you turn mini-dv cassettes into another format?

Question

I got a sony handi-cam and I'd like to convert the mini-dv video to an media file or perhaps put it on a dvd. I have no clue how to go about that. There seems to be no chords where I can hook the camera directly up to my computer...

Answer 1

The usual way is to use the IEEE 1394 Firewire port on your camera.  You also need a computer with this type of port, and need to get a Firewire cable (fairly expensive).  Then you use one of those "movie maker" programs (like Windows Movie Maker if you have Vista).  If the camera does not have a Firewire port, you can connect the A/V port to a DVD recorder.  The camera usually comes with a A/V cable - if not, they are really inexpensive.

Answer 2

You will find a read of this article very useful and informative :-  

http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.p...    

The software being used is Ulead VideoStudio - you can download a free trial to see if it works for you from :-  

http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm  

or

http://www.ulead.co.uk/vs/runme.htm

~

Answer 3

If it's a MiniDV camcorder there should be a firewire connection somewhere, maybe behind a plastic cover.  If you haven't already got one you'll need a firewire card in your PC - they're readily available, cheap and easy to install.

Assuming you're going to put your videos on DVD you'll need a video editor that includes DVD authoring.  Most of them do, but I'd recommend Sony's Vegas Movie Studio - in terms of bang for the buck I don't think it can be beaten.  I'd start by playing with Windows Movie Maker though.  It's not a great editor, and it can't make DVDs, but it's free and it'll give you a relatively gentle introduction to video editing.  At least you'll have some idea what you're looking for when you go out and start spending money on a commercial editor.   I'd avoid Pinnacle Studio - it can be very buggy and unstable.