[Mr M]

I recently bought a SONY MiniDV camcorder. When I try to download the video to my computer, the SONY sofware only allows me to save the video in 10 minute segments (something to do with the limitations of the AVI format?). My goal is to transfer the entire MiniDV tape to a DVD disk in it's entirety. Is there no software out there that will do that? My computer hard drives have more than enuf space.

[kiwiguy]

60 Minutes of DV should occupy about 12 GB of HDD space from memory.

What is the file format of the HDD? There are file size limits that could be kicking in if you are using FAT based formats.

[axis77]

hey how do you get the minidv to pc anyways, i tried USB but no detection, do you have to use firewire?

[Mr M]

Originally Posted by axis77

hey how do you get the minidv to pc anyways, i tried USB but no detection, do you have to use firewire?

Since I'm using a SONY camcorder into a SONY laptop, they have a firewire cable that connects the two.

[Mr M]

Originally Posted by kiwiguy

60 Minutes of DV should occupy about 12 GB of HDD space from memory.

What is the file format of the HDD? There are file size limits that could be kicking in if you are using FAT based formats.

I havent the slightest. I WILL tell you I tried just now to use the Windows Movie Maker and it DID save the file to disk. Unfortunately, even though the file has saved in its entirety, the Windows Movie Maker software crashes when I try to import my movie to work on it. Any ideas?

[Raised Grain]

Can you save to a mpg file?

[Mr M]

Yes. The camera uses a miniDV tape AS WELL AS a media card (the camera takes video AND stills). If I copy to the media card, it converts the .avi file to an mpeg.

[Raised Grain]

Your software may have you decide if you want to save the video as an AVI or MPEG file. The MPEG should allow an hour of video on a DVD. I have a Sony camcorder but I do not use their software, so check out the possibility.

[Mr M]

So what software do you use?

[Raised Grain]

I use Roxio easy media creator and I've tried Sonic. They are basically the same. I'm not totally satisfied with either one. I'm looking to get another video editing software but haven't decided which to get. Everyone is a little closed mouth about suggesting any particular software other than the free ones. I've made a lot of DVDs for the family of family functions over the years with only a handful of coasters through errors on my part. When you go to burn, there should be a dialog box with a choice for saving as AVI or MPG. Choose MPG and you will eliminate your problem.

[linskyjack]

How are your drives set up? Not Fat32 or NTSF?

[Mr M]

My drives are NTFS. Why?

[Mr M]

Originally Posted by Raised Grain

I use Roxio easy media creator and I've tried Sonic. They are basically the same. I'm not totally satisfied with either one. I'm looking to get another video editing software but haven't decided which to get. Everyone is a little closed mouth about suggesting any particular software other than the free ones. I've made a lot of DVDs for the family of family functions over the years with only a handful of coasters through errors on my part. When you go to burn, there should be a dialog box with a choice for saving as AVI or MPG. Choose MPG and you will eliminate your problem.

Isn't MPEG a poorer quality video than AVI?