Video Download

[jjs1962]

I have a Sony CCD TRV68 Hi8 camcorder and want to download to DVD on my PC. I have asked local vendors on to perform this task and have gotten mixed responses, making me even more confused. I hear about various software packages, USB and Firewire cables. I don't want what I don't need! I just want to keep my kids forever on DVD instead of the piles of 8M cassettes in a box.

JJS1962

[splatfreak]

I don't use this stuff myself but have looked into it a little.Try this link.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...asp?CatId=1423

[PC_Fanatic]

I'm not familiar with Sony's HI-8 format, but I'm guessing that it is an analog format, not digital.

If I'm right, you will need:

A fast CPU (2 GHz will probably do, but 3 GHz will do better)
A fast hard drive, 7200 rpm minimum, 10000 rpm better
A good quality video capture card.
A DVD burner.
DVD authoring software
DVD burning software.

I use an ATI All-In-Wonder 9600 for capturing video. I'm totally pleased. Expect to pay about 180-200 dollars.

DVD burners can be had for under $70. Make sure that the burner comes with burning software, or be prepared to pay extra.

I use Nero 5.5 for burning, TMPGEnc for DVD authoring.

My son has a Sony Digital 8 camcorder. The software included with the camera was terrible. Firewire proved to be useless, resulting in dropped video frames.

Refusing to accept defeat, I simply captured the composite video signal directly from the camera, using the ATI card. I used TMPGEnc to create menus for the DVD, then burned with Nero. The results were beautiful.

What you are trying to do can be done, easily. Authoring the DVD can be time consuming if you create fancy menus and chapters for each DVD.

My advice is to just do it. Jump in and learn something new. Analog tapes don't hold up well over time. The longer you wait, the more those old tapes will degrade. Save them in digital format now.