Importing video into a computer from a DV-Cam?

Question

I have recently purchased a Panasonic NV-GS60 DV cam. I am using a new pc, with Windows Vista.

When I attach the cam to the pc using the firewire lead, it asks me if I wish to import the tape/video etc.. it then gives me an option for file format (i.e. avi or wmv). Over the last few days I have been having major problems with (avi) - The images transfer perfect but the sound is very distorted and I have used windows movie maker to check the sound, also windows media player & real player. The only player that has no sound break up is Quick Time player. When i burn the movie to DVD its ocmes out fine, the only problem is that when editing the video in Movie Maker working with the sound is near impossible. I have today found a temporary solution, import the file as WMV and the sound doesnt break up.

Anyone have any input as to why the AVI format is such an issue...I have tried updating codecs etc....

Many Thanks

Answer 1

Usually when you capture footage to avi (or even wmv) the file is uncompressed video with audio.  These files can become incredibly large.  Depending on how good your computer is, it may struggle using large files and synching up the audio in real time.  I have found that movie maker works well for webcam footage, or little pet projects, but for large files or DVD quality movies, it has all kind of problems.

You mentioned that once you burn it to a DVD, its fine, that probably because the A/V is synched, just your computer is working too slow.  You could get more RAM which would certainly help out.  When I used to edit videos I would have at least 1.5 Gigs.

Quicktime may be handling the sound differently the your other programs.  Try using Adobe Premiere (a professional editing suite)  They have a trial version.  

I also included a great article describing what other hardware is worth looking into for serious editing.

Answer 2

Hey MARK,

I would suggest you getting a much better editing software to work with, movie maker is a freebie that only will do so much, if you are serious about editing , then there is a few software that i can recommend to you.

Adobe premiere, Sony Vegas, and Ulead Video studio. Theses are all professional editing software

Answer 3

The Quick Time player can't correct bad audio, so the problem must be that the other players can't handle good audio.  There's a possible problem if you have the Intervideo Audio Decoder installed - it's part of InterVideo WinDVD.  Try going into WMM / Tools / Options / Compatibility and unchecking things to see if you have a similar problem.

Failing that, try a decent editor - Sony's Vegas Movie Studio and Vegas Pro are both good, with unusually good audio features.