file size/format for transfers from DV camcorder?

[cdb]

I know these are some pretty basic questions, but...this is a newbie forum!

I'm about to get a digital camcorder (probably a Canon ZR70MC). I understand I can transfer the video from the MiniDV tape to my computer and I'll get it in AVI format, right?

How much hard drive space do I need per hour of AVI video I transfer from the camcorder?

Is it not possible (or advisable) to transfer and convert to mpg in one step? I probably will want to do some editing, and I've heard editing avi format is preferable to editiing mpg in terms of final video quality.

When I do an analog passthrough from my vcr through the camcorder to the computer, do I still get avi or can I get that directly into mpg, since I won't be editing that anyway?

Thanks for your help!

[flaninacupboard]

DV format is 13gigabytes an hour. you'll need a new hard drive if you want more than an hour, and definitely if you want to do any editing.

you can use various programs to take the incoming DV stream and covert to MPEG, i believe Ulead video studio does this, which is often bundled with firewire cards. real time mpeg encoding has much much worse quality than re-encoding your avi's, plus you can add whatever filters you like to the avi. yes, editing mpeg is a pain, avi editing is 1000% easier.

using the passthrough will still give you DV avi, but again you can use something like ulead to convert to mpeg as you go.

[Bondiablo]

Whether the sorce is your DV tapes or analog pass through it will come into your computer as DV AVI which is about 12GB per hour.

With software you can try to convert to MPG on the fly but the quality will suffer and it is better to edit in DV AVI than MPG.

[catdog6]

I'm also a newbie. I think the previous replies probably answered your questions but I figured I'd put in my 2 cents.

I just bought a Canon ZR70MC and a Sony DRU500AX DVD writer.
I wanted to transfer about 30 VHS and 20 8mm to DVD. I haven't figured out the best plan yet but I am still experimenting. So far the following is what I've been doing.

I've been using Ulead DVD Moviefactory 2 trial version for capture and burning and the Ulead Video Studio 7 trial version for editing. The MF2 will let you capture, make chapters then burn iso's and dvd's.
It seems to do good quality encoding and the audio and video is always in sync. Several people have told me that TMPGenc is better for encoding but I really haven't been able to prove that.


I don't know if this helps much. Good luck.

Kevin

[cdb]

Thanks for all your replies. Yes, I do need a larger hard drive and am planning to get one within the week.

What is the resolution of MiniDV video in terms of pixels?

Haven't I heard of editing programs that download a low-resolution 'preview' of your DV source, allow you to edit it, then when you render the final version, it just downloads the full-resolution portions of the source you need to make your edited movie?

Also, Kevin, how long have you had your Canon camcorder? I've read varying opinions on the quality of the video you get from it. How do you like the output?

Thanks again, guys.

[flaninacupboard]

DV resolution is 720X480 29.97 for NTSC and 720X576 25 for PAL. this is dvd compliant.
some DV decoders do have an option to decode only in half or quarter resolution yes, but given that the full stream can bve decoded quicker than realtime it's not really relevant (unless you want real time previews of complex tranistion in something like adobe. however, for that you need a very gutsy PC, or more likely a dedicated solution)
but yes,m if you use something like virtual dub for basic edits, you can simply remove the pieces you don't want, and copy the edited video stream to a new file.

[catdog6]

I really didn't think the Canon ZR70MC had the best picture at first. I've about decided I'm just expecting too much. If the picture was as good as I expected then there wouldn't be a reason for them to make a $3000 camcorder. I did however take one of my tapes back to Circuit City and did some recording on a more expensive camcorder. I'm going to check that tape out within the next couple of days. I still have another week to return it if I don't like it. I'm going to test it further this weekend. I have found that I never use the photo mode since I have a digital camera. I'm not sure that I shouldn't have bought the 60 but the 70 has 4x more zoom and a bigger battery so I guess it's ok.

I'll post more in the next couple of days.

Kevin

[catdog6]

I tried a Panasonic miniDV camcorder. It was open box and $800.
I taped about 2 minutes and me and my wife both agreed that it didn't look as good as the Canon ZR70MC. Picture quality was about the same I guess but it wasn't focusing very quickly.
I don't know if that helps you but it convinced me that I'm keeping the ZR70.

Good luck!

Kevin

[nerdboy69]

What were you doing with your wife?
Careful your mistress doesn't find the tape.

[tempe]

I tried a Panasonic miniDV camcorder. It was open box and $800.
I taped about 2 minutes and me and my wife both agreed that it didn't look as good as the Canon ZR70MC. Picture quality was about the same I guess but it wasn't focusing very quickly.
I don't know if that helps you but it convinced me that I'm keeping the ZR70.

Good luck!

Kevin

What were you trying to focus on....