Best Program for a Sony Hi8/digital camcorder

DBlattsta · Post by **DBlattsta** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:19 am

I have a Sony camcorder model DCRTRV 480 which can playback my old 8mm tapes as well as record on Hi-8/digital 8mm tapes. If I buy the Ulead VideoStudio 10 plus program, will I be able to capture the video from the camcorder and burn a DVD as well? If not, do I need to purchase the DVD creation program for the burning phase?

Thank you,

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:57 am

You don't need VS10 to capture. WIN XP comes with a utility which can do that too. For editing, yes, use VS10plus. Only if you need menu functionality not offered by VS do you need to get a DVD authoring program like DVD MovieFactory 5 or 6.

Whether or not you can capture does not entirely depend on the software you use. You need the right hardware too. How do you intend to connect this camcorder?

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:55 am

Once you have a digital file on your hard drive, you can use Video Studio to edit and make (author and burn) a DVD.

...will I be able to capture the video from the camcorder...

For capture, you may need to use the software that came with your camera. In any case, its a good idea to download the trial version of Video Studio, and give it a try.

...do I need to purchase the DVD creation program for the burning phase?

No. DVD Movie Factory has more DVD authoring features and less video editing features. For most people, Video Studio is the better choice. You can download a trial version of Movie Factory too if Video Studio's DVD features seem too limited.

etech6355 · Post by **etech6355** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:16 am

I have a Sony camcorder model DCRTRV 480 which can playback my old 8mm tapes as well as record on Hi-8/digital 8mm tapes. If I buy the Ulead VideoStudio 10 plus program, will I be able to capture the video from the camcorder and burn a DVD as well? If not, do I need to purchase the DVD creation program for the burning phase?

YES, from start to finish.
You will need to connect your camcorder to the computer using a firewire connection so make sure you have a firewire port on your computer (IEEE1394).

LGO · Post by **LGO** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:24 am

Heinz-Oz is correct . . . the hardware to capture the video is what's important when using analog tapes.

You have to have a capture card and (hopefully) be able to use the S-Video port to capture it from your cam.

I have a Sony TRV-615 that has an S-Video out port on it. My capture card is an AIW 9000 that has S-Video in port. Connect the two, hook up the audio cable from the cam to my sound card, and I'm good to go.

If your Sony only has RGB out port, then that's what you use. If it has both, always choose the S-Video.

Using VS10+, I have never had a problem capturing with the AIW cards. As was mentioned, sometimes you have to use the software that comes with the capture card to get the video onto your computer, but then use VS10 to edit. This works great, too.

Good luck,

LGO

David Latta · Post by **David Latta** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:47 am

I have the Sony DCRTRV 330E. Deborah's 480 is basically the same as mine except that the 480 can be used as a web cam. Mine can't.

Both camera's have USB, AV, S-Video and Firewire (IEEE1394) connectors. From recollection you only get the USB (for memory stick & webcam) and AV cables with the camera. You have to buy the Firewire and S-Video cables. The AV cable is used to connect the camera to a TV etc. It can also be used as a pass through to transfer to and from an analog camera or VCR. No need to put a tape in the Sony.

I use this method to get VHS tapes from my VCR onto the computa.

If Deborah has a firewire connection on her computa, then she should get a firewire cable and go to it.

Regards

David

Post by **Ken Berry** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:05 am

And I actually have the DCR-TRV480. As David says, it definitely has a Firewire connection (which is why I bought it -- specifically to be able to transfer my analogue 8mm collection in the highest quality...) Works extremely well via Firewire and using VS10 for whole capture-edit-burn process.

I am enormously pleased with the results, and can see only the most minor of differences in the final DVD comparing it to DVDs produced from DV video shot with my Canon mini-DV camcorder.