How do you upload audio and video from a camcorder?

Question

I have a Sony Digtital Handycam (Digital 8) that I am using to tape an interview for an assignment. I have to upload the video to the school web site. I also have to uplead 10 mins of the audio. I have no idea where to start. Any help would be great.

Answer 1

Hello, do you have a firewire cable or USB cable that came with the camera? If so use that cable and connect one end to the camcorder and the other to the computer, set the camcorder to "Player" or on some camera "Tape" and wait for a dialog box to pop up and choose the video editing program you wish to use to import the video. If a pop up box does not come up simply go to Start>All Programs>Windows Movie maker, once in Movie Maker go to the tab on the left of the Window and choose Capture Video, choose the camera you want (there will probably only be one which will be yours), once you have chosen the camera use the simple navigation controls to navigate through the tape (play, fastforward, rewind, etc) and click on record to start recording the video. Once you have recorded what you want click stop recording and your video should be compiled into parts in put into movie maker, after that click on all the parts and drag them down to the time line which is located on the bottom of the Window. Edit the video how ever you would like, after editing go to File>Save Movie File (DO NOT CLICK SAVE AS), a new Window will open, make sure the video is set to save on your computer, click next then save the video where ever you want on your computer and name is whatever you want. Keep clicking next and the video will start saving itself to your computer. Once it has finished go to the website where you want to upload your video and upload the movie file you just created, and you have your video!

Answer 2

If you have a mini dv (cassette) camcorder….

Your dv camcorder needs a firewire connection (ieee 1394) in order to download video, your PC probably did not come with a firewire port, so you will have to buy one and install it, since most computers (except possibly brand new) don't come with a firewire port, your camcorder did not come with a firewire cord so you have to purchase a cord too. Your camcorder did come with a USB cord and that is used for downloading stills from your camcorder.

If you have a mini dvd camcorder….

You will have to finalize your dvd in the camera and then put the dvd in your computer 's DVD burner (top loading only) and then you will have to convert the files (i downloaded handbrake file converter free) and import them into your editing program. Use the HELP feature in your editing program to learn about editing. Once you are ready to burn, your project will be burned to a different DVD and you can file the original away.

If you have an analog (VHS) camcorder…

You need an analog converter, either internal card or external such as the dazzle. It's very easy to use and come with good software. You would hook your analog VHS camera to the analog converter, the dazzle and then hook the dazzle to your PC. The dazzle cost around 70.00 , but worth the money if you have a lot of VHS to tapes to convert.

Answer 3

The correct instructions are on the Sony support site for your camera model!! Also updated drivers are available for downloading if you misplaced the installation CD. Keep n mind that you do need a firewire or iLink cable & a firewire port on yours or any PC.

Answer 4

You'll need to transfer (capture) the video, edit it and then output it (render it) in the right format for your website.

Digital 8 camcorders use firewire to connect to the PC  - if your PC hasn't already got one you'll need to install a firewire card.  They're cheap, easy to install and readily available.  You'll need a firewire cable, too.

You can capture and edit the video using Windows Movie Maker if you're using a wintel PC or iMovie if you've got a Mac.  The audio is captured at the same time, you don't need to capture them separately.

I don't know what video format your web site needs - you'll need to talk to the site admin.



Since I assume you'll be doing everything with one camcorder, you won't be in shot when you're asking the questions.  Write down the questions you're going to ask and then, in the interview location, video yourself asking the questions.  If you shoot over the interviewee's shoulder it can give a nice effect.  You can then edit the questions and answers together and get rid of the false starts, nervous giggles etc.  Even if you don't want to put yourself in the video, make sure you've got good audio of you asking the questions - you must make sure your audience know what's been asked otherwise the answers are meaningless.