Is there an easy way to transfer MiniDV video to a DVD or computer?

Question

I am looking to buy a new video camera and I don't want to spend a ton of money. It looks like the MiniDV recorders are quite a bit cheaper than a DVD recorder or hard drive, however, I'm unsure how to transfer the data onto something easier to use. I'd like to be able to put the video onto a DVD or load it onto my computer. Does anyone know of a way to do this? Thank you!

Answer 1

miniDV tape based camcorders provide the best available video quality because DV (or HDV if you get a high definition camcorder) compresses less than the other consumer storage formats available.

Next best video quality comes from hard drive or flash memory based camcorders.

Worst video quality (especially for editing on a computer) comes from DVD based camcorders.

With miniDV tape, you will use a firewire cable (i.Link and IEEE1394a are the same thing) to connect the DV port on the camcorder to a firewire port on your computer. If your computer does not have a firewire port, they are typically easy to add - and they are cheap. If you re using a Mac, they have had a firewire 400 port for at least 6 years (or more) - the only exception is the new Mac Air.

With hard drive based or flahs memory based camcorders, you connect using USB - and rather than import like miniDV tape, you copy the files like you would if you were copying files from any other external mass storage device. Please do not confuse this with "easier"... with USB, you copy files; with miniDV tape, you click one on "import" or "capture".

With miniDV tape, if you want to re-import, you have the original tape as the archive - this digital tape archive has a good shelf life. With hard drive or flash memory cams, the first step after copying the files to your computer is to make an archive on disc... so you start the optical disc feeding dance... What was "easy" at first, just got tedious.

I won't even bother with DVD based camcorders because they should not be purchased and are irrelevant.

Answer 2

As Nu'uanu says, you transfer the data using firewire.  You can use Windows Movie Maker (already on your PC) to capture and edit the video and then use DVD Flick to author and burn the DVD from your edited video - it's free.

Answer 3

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. Make sure your camera is in playback mode.

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 or VCR 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.