Captured video but what to do since file is huge.

[I26]

I have a Sony DCR-HC40, nothing special, but it does save memories. I used Windows Live Movie Maker to save one 60 minute tape to my laptop, and it worked easily. The file is huge though, topping out over 13GB in size. I only want it on one single layer DVD. I could burn it to Bluray but it does not make sense. I don't exactly have the best software on my laptop as I just got it recently and need advice on what software is more feasible to my situation. I obviously want to keep as much quality. Anyone have suggestions on how to go about the process? Thanks for your help.

[yoda313]

I take it you want a normal dvd in the end? Then use something like avstodvd. It will take the dv-avi (which judging by the 13gb/hr you state that is what you captured in) and let you create a dvd. It can even create chapters and menus if you want. You can tailor it to fit a single layer or dual layer dvd.

Since its only an hour a single layer dvd should be more than sufficient.

Edit - please save your original tape if you do not intend to archive the captured dv file onto a harddrive. That way you can always recap the tape if you want to do something with the original video again. Working with your converted dvd will not provide the same high quality that you can achieve when starting over with a clean transfer of the original tape.

- edit 2 - watching the converted dvd should be just fine - I just mean in terms of creating a new composition from the original tape is best instead of using the compressed dvd as your source.

[I26]

I appreciate your feedback. I was not sure what to do with the tapes once I had DVDs made. Perhaps I will invest in a nice external for archiving purposes. It was the DV-AVI format that I captured in. Thanks for the help.

[yoda313]

You're welcome.

I would still hang onto the tapes just in case even if you do get some hard drives just for archiving. I'd want that extra protection knowing I'd be ok just in case a drive fails or something else happens.