Getting camcorder footage onto DVD

Wings_of_Ambition

Hello!

I have some camcorder footage that I would like to get put onto DVD for a friend. The camcorder is an NV-GS180 digital camcorder, recording to MiniDV tape. It has a USB output, and a cable to provide an 'AV' output (I think that's what its called... it has three 'male' jacks at the end of the cable, one red, one yellow and one white).

I have a laptop with a DVD burner, but I also have a standalone DVD recorder. My main concern is that I don't want to lose any quality by putting it through the laptop. I would PREFER to put it through the laptop as I'm more comfortable with using it, but need a free program that doesn't reduce the quality of the footage in any way.... i.e. it would be as good as if I plugged the AV cable into a TV and watched the footage directly off the camcorder that way.

If that's not possible, and I need to use the standalone DVD recorder to do it, is there any way to then add effects to the footage, i.e. a DVD menu.

I've been putting this off for ages, so any advice greatly appreciated!

Wings

geewhiz

If you don't have any software to capture the camcorder footage directly to the laptop then just put it on the dvd then rip the dvd to the laptop using any number of free software available then edit it from their.

Take a look at this http://www.newcyberian.com/dvdauthoring.html for some advice and decent freeware programs available.

I'm sure windows media player can capture video but i've never tried it as I have Ulead DVD MovieFactory which is great and easy to use

penrhyn

To transfer your footage to a PC it is necessary to use the DV out (Firewire) connector.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire
The USB connection is usually used for still picture transfer only.
Of course its necessary to have a firewire port on your PC as well.
If your PC is running XP or Vista then you will have Windows movie maker.
You can use this to download your footage, the firewire interface will allow the PC to control the camcorder. To ensure no loss of quality download as a DVAVI file.
Google for info on running Windows movie maker and transfer to DVD.

Wings_of_Ambition

In terms of Windows Movie Maker, is there a difference between the DV-AVI you mention above, and the AVI option for importing the footage?

penrhyn

I'm sure there is a difference but i think there is only one option in the WMM menu

From the help screen:
If you want to create a single file using the file type that your digital video device uses by default, such as an AVI or DV-AVI file, choose Audio Video Interleaved (single file).
Sticking to this means that you can export the edited file back to the camera if you wish.