I have a sony handycam "DCR-TRV285E". I would like to copy cassette to PC and edit it. Help me with details.

Question

I tried through windows movie maker via USB port but the quality of the picture was very bad and it was really difficult to add audio/music to it. Plz help with full details on this. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

you have what is called a 'digital-8' camcorder which saves to cassette.Both movie maker and usb are inferior so forget both for capturing video. Use your firewire card (if you have one). If not they are very cheap (under $20 on ebay). Buy Nero 6 on ebay (also under $20). This software captures, edits and writes dvds. Now you have the setup that will allow you to get the best quality possible from your videos.

Answer 2

Video  Editing  Process

CAPTURE video stream-Digital-8 Vcam/ IMPORT files from  pc folders, EDIT  to create muvee as a project, FINISH  (render / save)  muvee and /or, SHARE …burn to CD/DVD.

for starters, XP/ Windows Movie Maker (wmm*) provides the simple & easy way (& free) to learn the ropes < click Help for details>. Venture later into other video editing app ( http://video-editing-software-review.top... ) accdg. to need & skill level.

(Note: Convert video files if not supported by video editing app)

Steps:

CAPTURE VIDEO

a.) Connect Digi-8 vcam to pc via firewire cable (4 or 6 pin) for good transfer (USB can do but possibly drop frames affecting quality)

b.) Set vcam mode to playback desired video, set for capture, pause

c.) Open wmm* and set to TASKS pane

d.) In wmm/ TASKS /Capture, click Capture from video device; wmm should be able to control vcam operations. On play, video stream is captured to wmm/COLLECTION (usually unto several video files)

e.) Import other files: other video, pics, music, narration from pc folder

EDIT MOVIE

f.) wmm/EDIT: drag&drop video files from collection to TIMELINE chart below at the desired sequence

g.) Enhance video: drag&drop effects- transition, filter; create titles, music…test & re-edit as you wish

FINISH MOVIE (rendering)

h.) Render/Save video file to pc and/ or share; then Save project file (work-in-progress) for future edits.

Finally, SHARE

i.) Burn to CD or DVD***   (wmm2 only on CD)

   ** Most video editing app include DVD authoring, otherwise, use DVD authoring programs, e.g.,  WinDVD, Nero, Encore, etc.