DVD Recording

Anyone have a reference for getting started making dvd's from a camcorder mini dvd?? What hardware/software is required? I currently have these pc's:

Dell Dimension console
Win XP SP2
Pentium 1.99GHz
256 mb Ram
80GB drive
CD R/W

Dell Inspiron laptop
Win XP SP2
Pentium 1.50 GHz/2MB
512 mb Ram
40 gb drive
combo DVD/CD R/W

I'd really like to use the Dimension as the creator but I am unsure how to begin. Any help and advice greatly appreciated.

mike

 

First off you have to have some way of getting the DV onto the computer. The common way, is to use firewire, although it may be possible to use USB, depending on your camera. You can add firewire to a comp by purchasing a firewire card and installing it in a vacant PCI slot. Alternatively, you could installa Sound Blaster Audigy card, as it has a firewire port, on the card. This will also give you better sound and place less stress on your cpu. I have used both as my comp has both. Your cam should have come with basic software to enable you to capture the video to the comp. There are numerous programs out there that you can use to edit and make DVDs. You might try dowwnloading some evalution copies from Ulead or Pinnacle to try and find one you like. There are also some free ones out there that you may find with a google search. keep in mind, that the file you create, has to be rendered before it is burned to disk, and this takes a very long time (hours). This link might be of help to get you started http://www.videohelp.com/dvd . Some programs are sipler than others, but the more powerful one's have features that allow you to do very impressive things with your movies. Good luck, and have fun, as the possibilities are limitless. You might find that your comp is a little light in the memory department at 256, but should still do the job. If you think you might be doing a lot of this you may want to consider adding some more.

 

Assuming you have firewire or a method of connecting the camera to the computer,

You have XP SP2, and that includes Movie Maker 2 which is pretty good and can be used to capture the video and edit it.

Some more memory would be good for the desktop (bare minimum of 512, but 1 GB would be much better and in dual-channel if your motherboard supports it), and if that is the PC you want to use you will require a DVD burner if you want to put the videos on disc. (unless you use SVCD, but DVD burners are cheap so it's not worth the effort)

Most DVD burners will include a burning program so you can burn it to DVD.

 

Good point insomniac, I forgot about Movie Maker.