Making a summary/index of DV tapes

[Stephenh]

Hi all,

I currently use WinDV to capture DV - love it! Problem is, although I'm only a home video amateur, I now have about 30+ DV tapes (all full). There are times I'd like to use bits from multiple tapes to make a movie but this is a pain as I can't cost effectively have all my video on HDD in uncompressed format just in case I ever need it.

Does anyone know of software that captures/creates like an index of DV tapes with maybe thumbnails or something. I've tried searching this site and the web but not sure exactly what to look for.

Also; any pointers to good filing practices would be a great help too.

Thanks in advance,

-Stephen

[edDV]

Hi all,

I currently use WinDV to capture DV - love it! Problem is, although I'm only a home video amateur, I now have about 30+ DV tapes (all full). There are times I'd like to use bits from multiple tapes to make a movie but this is a pain as I can't cost effectively have all my video on HDD in uncompressed format just in case I ever need it.

Does anyone know of software that captures/creates like an index of DV tapes with maybe thumbnails or something. I've tried searching this site and the web but not sure exactly what to look for.

Also; any pointers to good filing practices would be a great help too.

Thanks in advance,

-Stephen

Since 1988, I've used an Excel spreadsheet to index my Betacam, Hi-8 and DV tapes. It's low tech, manual and it works. Excel allows fast qwery seraching by keywords or columns.



For storage I use cardboard file boxes. Box numbers are also in the spreadsheet.

[redwudz]

There are a lot of database programs that can do what you want. And undoubtedly some specialized programs, maybe some shareware, that can do it. You could look for DVD or VHS catalog programs and adapt them for DV videos.

VirtualDub, along with the Panasonic DV codec will let you make as many snapshots of each DV video as you like. You just need to put them into the database. Other programs may be able to do this also. How many thumbnails depends on how varied each DV tape is. If it covers several subjects, then more thumbnails.

You just need to find a system you like and you can live with. There should be ones out there that will work for you. Do a Google search for 'catalog home video programs'. For freeware, add the word 'freeware' before the search words I listed. That should give you some ideas. You don't really have enough videos to use a expensive catalog program, freeware is where I would start.

That's a beginning. Others may be able to give you specific programs.