Newbie: Transfer Hi8 home movies to computer for editing

[phoebej]

I have a Samsung Hi8 Camcorder with no Firewire connection to transfer to my computer and I'd like to find a way to get the movie on my computer so I can edit the clips and burn a DVD (I have a laptop with a Dual Layer DVD burner)

Option 1: My dad has a DVD Recorder so I can get the tape on a DVD-R pretty easily, but what format do I need to get it in to edit it to make a DVD and what program do I use to get it into that format. Also, what DVD authoring program will enable me to make custom menus and add music.

Option 2: A friend has this device: Pacific Image MPEG4 Recorder PV-801 that I can use that can convert to MPEG-4. Is that format editable in DVD authoring programs?

I searched the forums but there is so much info I am lost!

Thanks for your help.

Jill

[unclebud]

Option 1 will work if the DVD recorder is a set top box recorder and not a DVD burner in computer.
And if you want to edit that DVD to have chapters and edit points where you want them, you'll need DVD authoring software such as TMPG DVD author, Ulead's DVD movie factory or workshop or any number of other apps that let you re-author DVD's. No re-rendering should be needed.
UB

[redwudz]

The DVD recorder is the simplest option. MPEG-2 is not easy to edit, it depends on what you need to do with it. MPEG-VCR is one of the cheaper and easier editors that does a decent job. There are several more available. Look to 'Tools' for video editors.

It won't do much good to convert to MPEG-4, you would just have to convert it back to MPEG-2 for a DVD. MPEG-4 is not much easier to edit than MPEG-2.

A unit like a ADVC-110 will convert it to DV AVI format. Easy to edit, but the hardware is pricey. Works well with laptops.

A capture card to capture in AVI format, Huffy or PIC Video, is another option. You edit then encode to MPEG-2. A bit more complex and not a great option with a laptop.

I would go with the DVD recorder and if not much editing is required, probably the easiest.

As far as DVD authoring, TMPGEnc DVD Author is easy to use, will create menus and is reasonably priced. There are better programs that do more, but the price is higher as is the learning curve. You can download a trial version of TDA, so you can try it out before purchase to see if it does what you want.

[unclebud]

Option 2 will work but you will end up with 2nd generation rendered video. VHS is bad enough to start.