Recording and importing videos?

Question

I need to make a movie and be able to import it and edit it on Windows movie maker, but its not showing up on my computer. I have a few questions:

1) What format should I choose when the cam says to format? It gives me two options: Video or VF. (i have to be able to use the clips for windows movie maker)

2) How do i transfer the videos onto my computer?

[I have a Sony DCR-DVD92, aka the handycam, digital video camera recorder. I'm trying to record stuff onto a Maxell DVD-RW]

Answer 1

This is a DVD based camcorder. Windows MovieMaker won't care how you format the DVD.

If your computer has a drawer loading DVD optical drive, put the DVD in that drive and rip the video using HandBrake.

http://handbrake.fr/

If your computer has a slot loading DVD drive - or if the optical drive can handle only CDs, then you will need to get an "analog/digital bridge"

If your computer has USB only:

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us...

If your computer has firewire:

http://canopus.com/products/videoconvers...

Warning: DVD based camcorders provide the WORST possible video for editing.