Advice on Copying Video Made From Sony Camcorder to DVD-R

[Primary B]

Hello everyone. I've backed up some of my DVD's but that's the extent of my experience. Had real good luck. My intention was to put my home movies made by my Sony Camcorder CCD TRV-21 NTSC to DVD-R. I read through the glossary but still do not understand exactly what type of format these videos are made by the camcorder. I purchased the camcorder maybe 6 yrs ago if that gives you any info. Read through the manual but still no indication. The tape media I used is TDK 8mm HS 120's. Some of this info might be unnecessary but I don't know. I do know I will need to get I think, a video- in card. I've just built a new comp, P-4 3.2, 1g Ram, 520g storage with 320 on Raid 0. ATI 9800Pro, so system resources is not a problem. All I need is some help getting sent in the right direction.
1 Name brand TV-in Card.
2 What format of video is it that I am trying to eventually get to DVD-R?
3 I am assuming that it is analog since I only have 1 video and 1 audio jack from the camcorder.
Please guys help me get started. Thank's...........Primary B

[thor300]

Me too is quite sure thats an analog camera. You will be looking to get MPEG-2 video onto the dvd, and most important you need to click in on Capture Cards and Guides in the menu, look a few inches to the left.

[Richard_G]

The CCD in your camcorder model number signifies that it is an analogue model (either 8mm, or Video 8 as Sony called it, or Hi-8). To get the footage into your computer you will need a capture card of some sort. Most TV cards have a composite and/or S-Video input. I suspect your camcorder will be composite video only (a phono/RCA connector, usually coloured yellow).

Most TV cards will come with some sort of capture software which varies from very good to very dodgy but you don't have to use the software that came with the card. Have a look at the Lordsmurf guides on capturing analogue video. So that you can put your captured files on DVD-R, they need to be in mpeg format and then need to be authored to make them DVD compliant. If you are simply going to capture the video from your camcorder and put it on DVD-R, then you should be able to capture straight to mpeg. If you want to do any editing of the footage, it is better to capture as avi, edit in that format and then convert to mpeg.

[Primary B]

Thanks Richard. That's what I needed to know. During the course of reading the guides I will pick up on which programs people prefer to use in my case. Does anyone want to offer any advice on which programs to use? Saving them in AVI format (if that's correct) is a great idea so I can edit them. Also thanks for the guide.

Primary B

[ferreter]

I have an ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon card and it works great. I use the ATI software called MMC 8.8 and it allows you to capture to DVD format using the onboard chip(MPEG2, 48KHz audio, etc.). You can then use TMPGEnc to 'cut' edit your footage and TMPGEnc DVD Author to author and burn to DVD-R (you have to have Nero installed).

Your camcorder is 8mm, which is pretty much equivalent to VHS quality. Hi-8 on the other hand is better and is equivalent to S-VHS. BTW, if you had Hi-8, you would have an S-video out connector as well.

PS - Since it seems like you can afford it (by looking at your money PC) buy good quality media, like Taiyo-Yudens (sp?).

[Primary B]

Thanks Ferreter. I'm gonna copy this thread. When you refer to your All-In-Wonder card i'm sure you are refering to the complete Video Card? I ended up getting a Saphire 9800 Pro thinking the All-In-Wonder Card couldn't compete with the graphics of the 9800 Pro. I also thought that a capture card was just a capture card when I put this thing together. Live and learn. Does a Capture Card affect the end result of the video? If it does can you recommend some? I looked on the listing of CC's and saw there was 370 of them. Does the capture aspect of the All-In-One out do the rest of the field as opposed to your typical PCI capture card? I just got 2 160G Seagates and goona go with a Raid 0 array. I don't, or haven't yet backed up my comp. My point is I will look into the Taiyo-Yudens you talk about so my video will be safe and secure. Just ordered 100 Ritec DVDR- so will see.LOL.

Primary B

[tweedledee]

I'm not sure about your camera, but it's better to transfer onto the hard drive by a fire wire card using Windv or DVIO. This gives you an AVI file which you can edit.

[Primary B]

Tweedledee. Are you refering to Firewire from the camcorder to the Video capture card? The camcorder only has the yellow and black analog video and audio output jacks. Thanks.

PrimaryB

[ktnwin]

You need an AV to DV converter box in order to capture analog video via Firewire.
Click on "Capture Cards" on the left and find them.
However, this is relative expensive.

I had old Hi8 Sony camcorder with lot of Hi -8 tapes. Later I bought a DV Sony camcorder. This one can play Hi8 tapes and therefore transfer to my PC via Firewire easily. It can also act as pass thru to capture VHS tape to PC via Firewire too.

DV is the best format for capturing / editing as it does not have other issues such as drop frames, audio out of sync, etc...

[Primary B]

ktnwin, Hello. Things are getting clearer. When I was looking at the listing of video cards I noticed quite a few of them listed as analog input along with TV Tuner etc. Is a AV to DV box neccessary or a viable alternative to a capture card with analog input? I know firewire is fast and my comp. supports it but I still have to have analog cables from the camera to the AV/DV encoder don't I? I'm gonna make a stupid statement, I assumed that the digitizing of the video can also take place inside my tower of power. LOL I really appreciate the respnses and before I become more of a burden I will read somemore guides. I will understand them better with the info I have gained from you guys. Thanks. Also, perhaps it's time to get a new camcorder

Primary B

[thing914]

Another option to consider, if you are considering buying a capture card and you are also thinking of upgrading your camcorder to a miniDV model is to put the capture card money toward the new camcorder. Get one with 'pass-through' and you can feed the output of your 8mm analog camcorder into the miniDV and it will convert to digital and output via firewire to your computer.

If you don't plan a new camcorder yet another option is the Canopus ADVC100 which is an external capture device. Again you feed your analog camcorder, or any other analog signal, vcr, laserdisc, satellite box, etc., into it then firewire out. It also puts out a DV format that you capture (really just a transfer) into your computer. A capture card can give you more options, like different resolutions, capture straight to MPEG2, etc. Just depends on what you want to do and how much you want to mess with it. I'm using the ADVC100 and it is nice. Not perfect but not much is.

[ferreter]

Primary B - Yes, the complete video card.

I've only used the AIW so I don't know how it compares to other capture cards. BTW, the AIW also has a good TV Tuner so you can record TV shows too. If you don't get the AIW, make sure your capture card has an onboard MPEG2 encoder!

Lots of people have given good advise here. I only mentioned the AIW because I also wanted to back up my analog camcorder tapes to DVD, and the method I described seemed easiest for me. I truthfully cannot tell the difference on my TV between video captured to the AIW using MPEG2, verses DV video transferred via Firewire and converted to MPEG2.

I guess if you want to truly 'edit' your video, you would do the DV method, but I only cut-edit using TMPGEnc. It's ultimately up to you deciding how much work you want to put into this. Good luck.

[Primary B]

Thanks guys! As mentioned here and the guides I've read it comes down to versatility and trying to be efficiant with the funds. Of course no one wants to head in a certain direction and purchase stuff just to have to change. The one idea hampering my decision making is the thought of shelving a perfectly good analog camcorder. A couple more hundred dollars will get me a digital camcorder with pass through or capability to actually play 8mm as opposed to other equipment. Does anyone have any opinions on standalone DVD recorders, Analog to Digital conversion boxes and brands? Thanks for all your help.

Primary B

[thing914]

Hi again,

Yeah it is always a decision with multiple options. Good to do research first and figure what direction you want to go in. I've heard good things about the standalone dvd recorders but don't know much about them, one comment I recall is the ones with harddrives are more versatile.

For the standalone A-to-D converters the Canopus ADVC100 like I have is nice, there are a few others around.

As far as the camcorder decision you won't necessarily shelve it. I actually have two now. I first got a used Sony Digital8 since I wanted the DV format but had some old 8mm tapes a friend had shot years before. I used my D8 to play back the tapes and convert to DV for editing. I just got one of the Panasonic 3ccd camcorders, the low end but still nice 953. The miniDV seems to be the standard consumer format now and in forseeable future. One thing with most miniDV camcorders, the push was to make them smaller since the tapes were smaller so they also use smaller ccd chips. The low light capability of many of the miniDV's are not as good, so for low light you would still be able to use your 8mm and convert.

The Digital8 are a compromise, originally a in between model for people shifting to digital. They are still popular, Sony is the only maker I believe, and the new ones do not all have the ability to play back the 8mm tapes so if you look into D8 check to make sure it does. I think for example that the Sony 250 does not but the 350 does.

[Sugar]

Primary B,

there are many things to consider if you want to transfer your home video to DVD, including:
- how much money do you want to invest,
- how much time are you ready to spend,
- is this a one time effort or will you do more like this,
- are you likely to do more home videos.

Anyway, given the computer you just set up, it looks to me as if you can do some investment.
The first question you have to ask yourself is whether you are likely to move to Digital Video (DV) in the ST or not. The reason is, as already posted above, to decide whether you will capture your analog video with a video card or through your new DV camcorder. That was my choice.
A video card can be found for less than $200. A DV camcorder with pass-trough capabilities and good features would be more like $900.

The second step will be the selection of softwares. This can go from the basic Ulead Movie Factory to the fairly advanced with budget ranging from $50 to $1,000.

In any case, you will need a software or set of softwares to capture (i.e. transfer your video to HD), edit, convert (from .avi to mpeg-1 or mpeg-2 for DVD -compliant purposes), author (possibly) and burn. You have plenty of links on the left to assist you in your choices.

The last point is that this hobby is extremely time consuming if you want good result but it is also worth it. And you always have access to the great DVDRhelp community for assistance when required.
Bonne chance.

[Primary B]

Thanks Guys! This has been an intrest for a while, trying to make it reality. It would be neat to send disks off in the mail,etc to entertain kids and relations etc. Looking at converter boxes, Pinnacle etc. Haven't read reviews yet that appeared to be unbiased. Just installed 320G Raid 0 Array just for this purpose this weekend. My problem is while reinstalling XP OS I set Video output to extreme accidently and my LCD Monitor now shows a black screen with the message "input not supported". Todays mission.......borrow CRT monitor.

Primary B