Copying from Camcorder to DVD

Domo · 2 Oct 2006 at 16:24

I have a Panasonic camcorder - quite a new one with DV and USB ports. I'd like to create a DVD but don't even know where to begin.

Where do I get the software for editing? And how do I even get it from the camera to my PC in the first place, is it easy!?

Any help would be appreciated - sorry I can't be more precise - bit of a noob

Sirrel Squirrel · 2 Oct 2006 at 16:31

Download Adobe Premiere Elements trial for the time being from http://www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/tryout.html

Then plug your camera into either a firewire port or usb port on the computer, hopefully you got a cable in the box to do this, if not just go out and buy a firewire cable.

Turn on the camera and windows will detect it, load up Adobe Premiere and start a new project. Go to file capture, from here you can capture everything from the tape to the computer. This will then make a clip, which you can drag onto the timeline in Premiere. Then go to export and you can burn it to a dvd.

It's possible your camera came with software that can do this quickly anyway so see if you have any discs in the box.

bigmouse64 · 2 Oct 2006 at 16:32

There's plenty of guides, here's a one I used to get started:

http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/dv/guide.html

However, after I used that I found many more here:

http://www.videohelp.com/

binaryknight · 2 Oct 2006 at 16:33

if its any way recent which it is it has firewire ports which is the best method as its all transfered digitally, you could use a analouge capture card but this is far inferior.

simply plug the firewire cable into the camcorder and the pc, make sure the camera is on and set to 'play' mode and not record
windows may ask you for drivers, install as neccessary.

load up your prefered editor, microsoft moviemaker should be installed on your pc already, and more than likely there will be a cd with one with your camcorder

you can then import the footage through the editing software

takes a bit of getting used to editing the footage best way is to learn as you go.

to actually get it on dvd is another step i think moviemaker will let you do this from within the program to create fancy menus is more complex and im outta time lol have fun!

Sirrel Squirrel · 2 Oct 2006 at 16:35

I don't think you can export to dvd in movie maker though