Video Capture Advice Needed

[GrnNatlFan]

I own a Sony Hi-8 camcorder and am wanting to convert the tapes to DVD. Also, I would like to capture some still photos from the tapes. I know there are capture devices out there but am wondering if anyone with knowledge in this area can advise on what devices/techniques are best and affordable. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[granatl]

5 years ago, this was a real PITA, but nowadays it's pretty easy. If your PC is less than 2 years old, it should be plenty fast enough. You also need several gigabytes of hard disk space. I don't remember all the math for MPEG-2 (used by DVD's), but I want to say figure 200MB for 20 minutes of video/audio.
When you buy capture equipment, it's best to choose one with the "MPEG-2 hardware compression" on-board, which means the capture equipment does all the grunt work, while your PC just writes the output to disk.
Once you have the raw MPEG-2, then you get a program like Ulead DVD Author (something like this) which will allow you to create chapters, create an intro, and then burn the ready-to-go DVD.
Keep in mind that older DVD players can have problems with DVD-R (or DVD+R). You might get better compatibility if you use DVD-RW (the re-writeables).

 

[no-nos]

i don't know if this will help you it should.

if you own a dvd recorder simply connect the av-jacks directly to the dvd, everything else is simple just press record on the dvd, to get the still pictures, once on a dvd simply install/run- it on your computer .
hope this helps .

 

[Renthorin]

are you using a Mac or a Windows machine?

 

[vader87]

If it has a "DV" connection, then you need the cable, about $14 then connect it to the PC. Windows movie maker seems to be the easiest to pull the videos off and place them on the hard disk. Then just burn them on to you DVD. Read the "help" on movie maker. Really simple to use. Good Luck!

 

[Renthorin]

I use WMM on my Dell. If you are on a Mac use Imovie.

 

[GrnNatlFan]

Thanks guys for the help. I am using a PC with Windows XP. My PC does not have audio/video inputs though. My video card is integrated. How do you connect the camcorder to the PC?

 

[Renthorin]

on my sony camcorder it has both USB and firewire out. I use the firewire for quicker transfer rates.

Out from the camera.....into the PC.

Windows Movie Maker works 'ok' for me but last time I used it for some reason the footage got more choppy the farther along it went.

I think I have also used Sonic before but not sure.

 

[vader87]

Maybe a cable like this?

 

[Renthorin]

That cable might do the trick. On newer Windows machines the firewire is a 4-pin IEEE 1394 port.... fits the end on the left in that picture. I have a 1394 to 1394 cable for my windows box and as the more traditional one pictured for my mac.