[flavallee]

I just recently purchased one and have a few questions about it.

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[linskyjack]

Just used one this weekend---very basic camcorder with average image quality---Ask away.

[flavallee]

I bought it mainly because it's an entry-level digital camcorder(my first), it uses 8mm tape, it was at a good price, and it got good reviews.

I shot a couple of minutes of video with it and had no problem playing it back on my TV. My problem came with trying to use the Pixela Picture Package 1.5 software to burn the video to a CD-R. My Windows XP computer has a CD burner and not a DVD burner, so my choice of burning was limited. After finally burning the video to a CD-R, it would only play back in the laptop in jerky still images - sort of like a slideshow. When I tried to play it in the DVD player that's connected to the TV, it wouldn't accept and play it.

It looks like a frustrating road ahead.

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[linskyjack]

Okay-----the first thing you want to do is get rid of the Pixela Picture Package for capturing and editing video-----Open up Windows Moviemaker---and use it to capture the video to your computer. You want to use an I.Link IEEE 1394 port on your camera and go into the firewire port on your computer. That requires a cable and I think thats optional with your unit----You can try going via USB. If possible, use a seperate drive to capture your video on------. If you don't have a firewire card, then buy one-----ADS Pyro is the brand that I recommend. Once you have captured your .avi files, you can edit them, add titles etc-------When you are finished you can output back to the camcorder, to a CD (not great quality and you can't fit alot on) to a .wmv file playable on your media player, and to a DVD burner, that supports Sony's Click to DVD via Ilink cable. DVD is the preferable way of delivering finished video, and it requires a DVD burner and a program that will convert the finished product to mpeg. I highly recommend that if you are serious about doing more then very rudimentary editing, that you consider purchasing a product by Sony called Movie Studio +DVD---it givesyou a bunch of features that takes you from capture to production of the DVD and has all the codecs built in (although you will still need a DVD burner to make DVD's)

Until then, use Windows Moviemaker to make CD's, Windows Media Files, and tapes of your projects. Forget about DVD's until you get the burner.

[flavallee]

I really appreciate all the advice that you've given me.

I have no intention of doing any editing, titling, etc.. All I want to do is burn my video from the 8mm tape to a CD-R. A DVD burner is in the unknown future until I get a new computer.

If I uninstall the Sony software, how do I import and view the video in Movie Maker after connecting the camcorder to the computer via the USB port or the IEEE1394 port?

I'm pretty good with computers in several other ways, but I'm a real novice when it comes to digital camcorders and using them with a computer.

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[linskyjack]

Very easy---Plug your camera into your computer---Make sure the camera is in the VTR mode---open up Windows MovieMaker----Chose under File--Capture Video. Once you have the video in Movie Maker--drop it on the timeline. Then, chose under file---Save movie as REcordable CD-----follow the wizard and you are done. REmember, you wont be able to hold a whole lot of video on the CD---thats where the DVD player would help.

[flavallee]

I've copied down all your instructions. Now, I need to play around with Movie Maker 2.1.4026.0 and get familiar with it. Thanks!!

Will using the USB connection be okay? I don't currently have a 4-pin to 4-pin IEEE1394 cable.

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[linskyjack]

Try it with the USB---if you have any problems let me know-----You might have to start the VTR section on your camcorder manually----but see if Moviemaker will control it---Make sure it is turned on.

[flavallee]

The Movie Maker help file says to use an IEEE1394 cable with a DV camera(which I guess applies to my camcorder), so I'm going to buy one over the weekend.

I played around with Movie Maker for a little while and learned some interesting things about it. I'm wondering if they're ever going to have another update to it.

Again, thanks!

[linskyjack]

Not sure if they will update----its really a barebones NLE (non-linear) editor---I think there has been one update since they introduced it---Maybe with Longhorn.

[flavallee]

Yep. I remember it having a major overhaul and update after Windows XP first came out.

I'm real anxious to see how it works with my camcorder.

Again, thanks for all your help and advice.

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[flavallee]

Is the brand of the IEEE1394 cable of any real importance?

"Circuit City" sells a Sony 5' 4-pin to 4-pin cable for $40.00.

"Best Buy" sells a Geek Squad 6' 4-pin to 4-pin cable for $35.00.

"Walmart" sells a Belkin 6' 4-pin to 4-pin cable for $20.00.

The only one of the three that I could confirm is 100% compatible with my camcorder is the Sony cable.

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[linskyjack]

Nope---IEEE is meaningless--just a society abbreviation. The Belkin should be fine.

[flavallee]

Thanks! I'd rather spend $20.00 for one instead of $40.00, and Walmart is much easier to deal with when it comes to returning an item that doesn't work right or is defective.

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[linskyjack]

Let us know how it goes!