Transfer camcorder video tapes to DVD with a computer.
Transferring camcorder video tapes to a DVD can preserve and protect valuable footage that can lose picture and sound quality over time. Video tape also becomes brittle with age. Connecting the camcorder to a computer equipped with a DVD burner is an efficient way to copy the content onto a long-lasting disc. Analog video tapes, such as VHS and 8mm cassettes, must be digitized with a converter for storing on a computer. Digital camcorders can be connected directly to a PC with a video capture card and recording software.
Instructions
Connect an Analog Camcorder to Converter Box and PC
1. Plug the color-coded AV cables into the "Out" jacks on the camcorder and the "In" jacks on the converter box.
2. Connect the USB cable from the port on the converter box to any USB port on the computer.
3. Turn on the three components and open the computer's video recording software by double-clicking the program name. The software typically comes on a CD with the converter box.
Connect Digital Camcorder to PC
4. Attach a Firewire or USB cable to the corresponding "AV out" jack on the camcorder.
5. Plug the other end into any available Firewire or USB port on the computer.
6. Turn on the components and open the computer's video recording software.
Transfer Video Tape to PC
7. Load a videotape in the camcorder and switch the camcorder from record to playback, typically with a sliding switch along the top edge of the camera.
8. Press "Play" on the camcorder and click the "Record" button on the computer software. Click "Stop" when finished recording.
9. Click the "File" tab and select "Save" to open a box for typing the name of the program. Click "Save As" below the box and select "mpeg," which is a suitable file format for burning videos to DVD. Click "Save" to store the recording on the computer.
Burn the DVD
10. Insert a blank DVD in the computer's media tray and close the tray.
11. Open the DVD burner software, such as Windows DVD Maker or iMovie.
12. Click the "File" or "Add Items" button to browse the recorded videos on the computer. Click the name of each desired video to populate a list of files for burning to DVD.
13. Click "Next" to select menu options, screen formats and other features available with the particular software.
14. Click "Burn DVD" to record the videos to disc.
Tags: recording software, video tapes, camcorder video, camcorder video tapes, Click File