Backing up MiniDV-tapes

[DeepX]

Hello peeps,

Whats the best way to create a backup of my DV file (20GB) on DVD+R's?
Is there a special backup-program, or how do you split those files?

I hope someone can help me since I do not have a DV-in, otherwise I can not keep my edited DV-file.


Greetz Arno

[Baldrick]

isn't it best to backup them on dv tapes? and wait for some bigger media like blueray or hddvd.

[ronnylov]

DV-tapes may be better but he said he did not have DV-in (on his camera I guess).

You can fit 20 minutes of DV as avi data files on a DVD-R. What I do is transfer it to hdd with scenalyzer live which automatically splits the scenes to several files. Then I burn as many files in order I can fit on a DVD-R.

Maybe it is possible to enable DV-in on your DV camera? I know some models can be modified.

[GeorgeW]

I know it was mentioned that DV-In was not available (they used to have "widgets" to enable DV-In on PAL camcorders).

I've done both -- backup to DV tape and DVD-R, and external Hard Drive. Bestbuy (in the USA) has a 160gb HD for $40 -- that will give you some decent storage until something better comes along.

I like the tape backup because if a certain section goes bad, usually the rest can be recovered. If a DVD-R goes bad, you might be out of luck for the entire 20 minutes worth of DV .avi. And if you decide to backup to newer technology with larger discs, I just wonder what happens if one section goes bad -- do you lose the entire contents of the disc (I don't know, juts asking). This goes for Hard drives also -- if it crashes, you could lose everything on the HD...

So for me, tape is the way to go...

I saw 10 miniDV tapes at Amazon for $18.00 -- that's pretty inexpensive for backup purposes... (but you'd have to get a camcorder that has DV-In to get it to work)

[DeepX]

Thank you very much for your help.
Since I don't have a DV-in, I'm gonna use both of your ideas.
And store the DV-avi to several DVD's & maybe buy a external HD.

Thanks!