What software do I need for making DVD's from my video camera?

[mapleleaf]

Hi chaps

I have a 3 year old JVC Palm size camcorder and want to make a DVD of some footage.

I have a connector lead from the camera which can plug int a TV ie L R & video phono's . & a lead that wil go into my laptop.

Whats the best / easiest software to use at a reasonable price - I tried some freeware stuff but it didnt work. I have 500mb ram & P4 procesor.

cheers

 

[Ted]

How about a DVD recorder?
Saw one in Sainsburys yesterday for £79.
It may not have dvi, but will be a simple solution - you don't have to worry about firewire cards etc.

 

[Alfie]

I use ULEAD videostudio myself. Seems quite good.

 

[Spinal]

ULEAD is a nice solution, but very expensive

If you can upload the files to your pc, DVD santa works quite well too... and is cheaper... wont let you edit tho...
Michele

 

[BTB 500]

The version of Windows Movie Maker that came with my Win XP seems surprisingly decent. As a complete video novice I was able to capture from the camcorder (using Firewire), edit, add titles etc., and save ... all in about 30 mins!

 

[miro]

Hi chaps

I have a 3 year old JVC Palm size camcorder and want to make a DVD of some footage.

I have a connector lead from the camera which can plug int a TV ie L R & video phono's . & a lead that wil go into my laptop.

Whats the best / easiest software to use at a reasonable price - I tried some freeware stuff but it didnt work. I have 500mb ram & P4 procesor.

cheers

Nero 6 and Ulead both have good generic products (and warez keygens). Movie Maker II with XP is a good fall back.

Pinnacle Micro makes a transfer kit.

 

[Ady]

I use Pinnacle Studio as it supports my Micro-DV camera. It does a good job and is cheapish.

 

[scotth_uk]

/me votes for Pinnacle. Even to purchase it's £50. Find-able all over the web though.

 

[mapleleaf]

How about a DVD recorder?
Saw one in Sainsburys yesterday for £79.
It may not have dvi, but will be a simple solution - you don't have to worry about firewire cards etc.

I never thought of that ! I dont need to do any fancy editing just preserve our recordings. what a good idea

thanks fo rthe other info chaps .

So If I go the software route I guess I just need to buy a firewire lead?

 

[scotth_uk]

I'd still go the firewire/pc route. You may find it quite addictive and it might encourage you to record more.

 

[Mozzer]

Get a firewire off e-bay from the US if you can, I couldn't find anywhere in the Europe that was as cheap.

 

[BTB 500]

I already had Firewire on my PC (was only £25) ... bought a cable from Maplin, but it never worked. Expensive Sony Firewire cable looks identical (the physical plugs etc.) but works perfectly!

 

[Mozzer]

Ulead do a 30 day trial if you just need it for a couple of projects - gives you a chance to see if it does what you want before you spend a fortune :


http://www.ulead.com/vs/trial.htm

 

[kym]

You could try a Leadtek Winfast VC 100 xp card comes with the software and is under £30, works well and gives you most of the common formats.

 

[machasm]

Hi Guys,
I think a firewire card is NOT going to work for you Steve_bcs. If your camera is old then you will only have an analogue output (L,R and Video) so you will need a capture card in your PC. These older capture cards can be expensive for ones which have dedicated encoders/decoders but give the best quality. If you are not that bothered about quality then a simple capture card should suffice.
Many graphics cards have VIVO capability (Video In/Video out) which should do the job. ATI do a range of cards called the All-in-wonder.
Firewire is only any good if you have a firewire connection on your camera which you haven't said it does.
To be honest, the new DV cameras are a lot more easier to use and edit than the older 8mm or Hi-8 analogue cameras.
Mac.

 

[BTB 500]

Hi Guys,
I think a firewire card is NOT going to work for you Steve_bcs. If your camera is old then you will only have an analogue output (L,R and Video)

My 2001 camcorder is older than Steve's, and it has DV in & out ...

 

[machasm]

My 2001 camcorder is older than Steve's, and it has DV in & out ...

Can you confirm Steve?
Mac

 

[Ady]

Hi Guys,
These older capture cards can be expensive for ones which have dedicated encoders/decoders but give the best quality.
Mac.

I am not sure what the quality is like but I have seen a few USB capture systems that have MPEG-2 hardware compression for around 40 pound mark.

 

[mapleleaf]

I've got the camera with me now
It is a jvc GR DVP 1E
it has the analogue output to 3 phonos's audio & video as well as a DV output which I have never used nor know how to.

looking at the manual, I presume I need to buy a DV cable and connect this to a dv enabled device. I dont think I can connect directly to my notebook with one of these, but I could probably connect to a dvd recorder?

 

[Mozzer]

If you have a DV port then you need a firewire next which connects to your notebook via the USB port.

Then Ulead will give you everything else you need to capture the film from your camera and turn it into files on your notebook.

After that, unless your notebook has one, you will probably be looking to buy a DVDR drive so you can burn DVDs.

And you thought this was going to be easy