Just wondering what the best settings to use when copying footage to your PC, editing and Saving the Final finished version.

I have a few bits & bobs and went for the DV-AVI setting when capturing, 720x500ish IIRC, I also kept this setting when Saving the finish items to my PC. The only problem is it takes a savage amount of disk space. I had initially copied them at a lower setting but the quality was crap.

So basically was wondering what others do, ultimately the footage will be put on disk but I'd like to keep a copy on the PC and build up over a period eg. of my 2 Godson's as they grow up.

One way to cut down on the disk space is to use DiVX or Xvid - do a Google to find out more.

Divx free version compresses to around 1/10th the size but imposes a watermark in the bottom right hand corner.

One way to cut down on the disk space is to use DiVX or Xvid - do a Google to find out more.

Divx free version compresses to around 1/10th the size but imposes a watermark in the bottom right hand corner.

I think I have a copy of DiVX, what way do I use it ? When I have the finished file or do you use it with the initial programme eg Windows Movie Maker

Just wondering what the best settings to use when copying footage to your PC, editing and Saving the Final finished version.

I have a few bits & bobs and went for the DV-AVI setting when capturing, 720x500ish IIRC, I also kept this setting when Saving the finish items to my PC. The only problem is it takes a savage amount of disk space. I had initially copied them at a lower setting but the quality was crap.

So basically was wondering what others do, ultimately the footage will be put on disk but I'd like to keep a copy on the PC and build up over a period eg. of my 2 Godson's as they grow up.

Well it depends what you want to do with the footage.

Basically you should transfer to your PC as DV (I'm assuming you have a DV camcorder?) which is raw footage and will be huge in size.

You should then edit in whatever program you want to edit in.. then either:

a) save the edited footage as a DVD (mpeg2) if you are burning to DVD

compress the footage to a pc format like divx or xvid which will be smaller but lower quality if you plan to store on your pc.

then delete the original DV footage as I assume you will still have the original dv tape if you ever want to use it again.

Bear in mind the longer your footage, the higher it has to compress to fit on a DVD so quality may go down.

Just to add to R32's superb post, VirtualDub is an excellent free piece of software for compressing the final edited version of the product down into a PC format (eg DivX, etc)

VideoHelp.com has lots of good guides

Chris

Just to add to R32's superb post, VirtualDub is an excellent free piece of software for compressing the final edited version of the product down into a PC format (eg DivX, etc)

VideoHelp.com has lots of good guides

Chris

Yes, excellent post from r32 & I was also going to post the VideoHelp.com link; it's a very good site.

As for burning to DVD; when thinking of encoding DVD's it is important to distinguish between 'data' formats & 'media' formats in much the same way that a CDRW with a bunch of MS Word docs on it is different to a music CD. (see

http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.1 &

http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.3 )

To make a 'DVD' that will play on your telly, you need to convert your raw video to MPEG2 & then burn it to the disc in the correct manner such that a DVD player can read it. (see http://www.videohelp.com/dvd#struct )

HTH

If ever you wanted to read up on more guides, you can also have a look at doom9's website: Doom9.net - The Definitive DVD Backup Resource

Cheers for the tips, I must read up on them I Captured the stuff across onto the PC, edited them then saved a new file and deleted the old ones. Then was gonna just re-use the mini DV tapes and save all my stuff onto the PC (as there can be a lot of Crap recorded too )

Jaysus theres so many different formats :eek:

Btw @ tfboy - any ideas what the options are in terms of external Light for the DCR HC94 ? I seen a few different ones come up but thought you might know better

Cheers for the tips, I must read up on them I Captured the stuff across onto the PC, edited them then saved a new file and deleted the old ones. Then was gonna just re-use the mini DV tapes and save all my stuff onto the PC (as there can be a lot of Crap recorded too )

Jaysus theres so many different formats :eek:

Btw @ tfboy - any ideas what the options are in terms of external Light for the DCR HC94 ? I seen a few different ones come up but thought you might know better

Different formats? Be glad you don't work in broadcasting, mate. It'll give you a heart attack

Re lights, I have no idea. Can get you a price for them, but no experience with which ones work best.

Re lights, I have no idea. Can get you a price for them, but no experience with which ones work best.

That would be great

As I understand it, you either have a self-powered light (so required a separate battery pack) or one which takes power off the main camcorder battery.

Obviously, the separate one will give longer recording time as it's not sucking juice out of the camcorder battery and you can get better power (10W+).

There are also some infrared ones which boost the night shot capabilities, but I guess you're more after visible light.

Take a look here: Sony : DCR-HC94E (DCRHC94E) : Accessories : United Kingdom

Click on flashes and lights thing to get the list of compatible devices.

I'll send you a PM for the pricing.

As I understand it, you either have a self-powered light (so required a separate battery pack) or one which takes power off the main camcorder battery.

Obviously, the separate one will give longer recording time as it's not sucking juice out of the camcorder battery and you can get better power (10W+).

There are also some infrared ones which boost the night shot capabilities, but I guess you're more after visible light.

Take a look here: Sony : DCR-HC94E (DCRHC94E) : Accessories : United Kingdom

Click on flashes and lights thing to get the list of compatible devices.

I'll send you a PM for the pricing.

Cheers for that.