You have two options for transferring them to DVD.
1. Transfer to a DVD recorder
DVD recorders have gone down in price, they are now in the $150-200 range (not all DVD players can record, you need a DVD recorder not just a player). Then, hook your videocam to the DVD recorder using the appropriate audio/video cable (those red/yellow/white cable) and push REC button to burn or make a copy on DVD (you have to format the DVD after you record or you won't be able to view it in other DVD players). Do know that you have to wait for each video to play its entirety before you can record another one. A good source to find reviews of good DVD recorders can be found at reviews.cnet.com
2. Use a Firewire (see photo on how Firewire looks like, the top one goes to the USB and the bottom one to your camcorder)
If you do not have a DVD recorder, you can still burn (or make) a copy on your computer's DVD (make sure your DVD is not read only but has read/write capability, meaning it can burn DVDs). Make sure you have a lot of storage in your hard drive to store the video. Most computers now have a USB port (its one of those slots on the side of your laptop or the back of your desktop with the USB icon. The USB icon looks like a letter Y with an arrow sticking out in the middle of the Y). You will need a firewire cable to stick to the USB (a firewire cable is used for data transfers of large files such as video). They run from $15-20, don't pay more than that because they are all the same. There are different kinds, 3pin, 4 pin make sure you know how many pins your camcorder requires (you can type in your camera model no. and do a search online if you've lost your manual or simply bring your camcorder to the store to make sure you get the right kind). Once you have the cable, you hook it up from your camcorder to your computer. You need a video software to view this (on the Mac it comes with iMovie so it automatically transfers my movie file).
I believe there are only 2 main things you should know about DVD discs when buying them. The rest is just to confuse us more...
1. 2x, 3x, 4x, 16x - These are the different DVD speeds. Use a DVD disc that matches the speed of your player. If your players says 4x speed use a disc that is 4x or more not less.
2. DVD-R or DVD+R? Most players now can play both versions (-R will work on more players). A DVD-R is a write-once format, once you've recorded on it, thats it. (the "W" on a DVD-RW means you can write or record over it thousands of times).
A DVD+R on the other hand just offers faster recording. Your DVD player's manual or your computer manual will specify which type of format it supports but most newer models supports both.
(What is R vs. RW? R means READ and RW means READ-WRITE. Read means it can only record on the disc one time, once you've recorded your info even if the disc is not full once you format it thats it. RW means it can read and write over what you recorded thousands of times).
If you want a more detailed explanation go to: (Tip: read this once you've had your coffee or you might fall asleep zzzz.....)
www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
1. Transfer to a DVD recorder
DVD recorders have gone down in price, they are now in the $150-200 range (not all DVD players can record, you need a DVD recorder not just a player). Then, hook your videocam to the DVD recorder using the appropriate audio/video cable (those red/yellow/white cable) and push REC button to burn or make a copy on DVD (you have to format the DVD after you record or you won't be able to view it in other DVD players). Do know that you have to wait for each video to play its entirety before you can record another one. A good source to find reviews of good DVD recorders can be found at reviews.cnet.com
2. Use a Firewire (see photo on how Firewire looks like, the top one goes to the USB and the bottom one to your camcorder)
If you do not have a DVD recorder, you can still burn (or make) a copy on your computer's DVD (make sure your DVD is not read only but has read/write capability, meaning it can burn DVDs). Make sure you have a lot of storage in your hard drive to store the video. Most computers now have a USB port (its one of those slots on the side of your laptop or the back of your desktop with the USB icon. The USB icon looks like a letter Y with an arrow sticking out in the middle of the Y). You will need a firewire cable to stick to the USB (a firewire cable is used for data transfers of large files such as video). They run from $15-20, don't pay more than that because they are all the same. There are different kinds, 3pin, 4 pin make sure you know how many pins your camcorder requires (you can type in your camera model no. and do a search online if you've lost your manual or simply bring your camcorder to the store to make sure you get the right kind). Once you have the cable, you hook it up from your camcorder to your computer. You need a video software to view this (on the Mac it comes with iMovie so it automatically transfers my movie file).
I believe there are only 2 main things you should know about DVD discs when buying them. The rest is just to confuse us more...
1. 2x, 3x, 4x, 16x - These are the different DVD speeds. Use a DVD disc that matches the speed of your player. If your players says 4x speed use a disc that is 4x or more not less.
2. DVD-R or DVD+R? Most players now can play both versions (-R will work on more players). A DVD-R is a write-once format, once you've recorded on it, thats it. (the "W" on a DVD-RW means you can write or record over it thousands of times).
A DVD+R on the other hand just offers faster recording. Your DVD player's manual or your computer manual will specify which type of format it supports but most newer models supports both.
(What is R vs. RW? R means READ and RW means READ-WRITE. Read means it can only record on the disc one time, once you've recorded your info even if the disc is not full once you format it thats it. RW means it can read and write over what you recorded thousands of times).
If you want a more detailed explanation go to: (Tip: read this once you've had your coffee or you might fall asleep zzzz.....)
www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
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