Sony Handycam

MaureenD · 08-11-2009, 21:07

Got this Sony Handycam but can't seem to burn the video to disk. Can any one tell me the best software for burning video to disk or any other help please.
Maureen

jjwagon · 08-11-2009, 23:46

Hi Maureen... I use a programme called Cybershot (6). I only use this because it was the software than came with my JVC video camera.

Didn't your Sony come with any software?

JJ

Beachbum · 09-11-2009, 00:17

Like JJ says. You should have had the software with your camera. Another way around the problem if you have no means of burning to disc is , connect the camera to your TV. Go to AV2 and run the film on your TV screen and tape it on a normal tape recorder. Get someone to burn from tape recorder to DVD disc. Hope it helps.
PS: They do sell video recorder and CD/DVD in a unit. Cost just under £300 new. Cheaper for someone else to do it for you.

jomel · 09-11-2009, 09:48

Hi Maureen,
I had same problem with mine and I had software etc. Was going to suggest same as beachbum.
I gave up in the end and used my Nikon camera which has a video option so Ill watch this thread with interest.

DESCO · 09-11-2009, 10:35

Hi

What you need is an editing program of some sort, eg Windows Movie maker or one of the many video editing programs. These have a capture program that when camcorder is connected loads video into the computer. The only thing to watch is if it is HD as this requires a different program, and some of the basic units won't cope with it.

You can then edit into a film adding titles joining bits together with fades to produce a film without jumps, you can also remove any unwanted scenes, or rearrange to produce the required result

When finished they then have a section to burn to CD/DVD to produce your finished disc.

I would warn you this becomes a time consuming hobby which you will find needs a computer with loads of memory and the faster the better as you get into it but I have found it a great hobby, but it is possible to start with a reasonable computer, providing you have a reasonably large hard drive, as editing eats memory.

Dave

barbt · 09-11-2009, 10:56

I use Adobe Premier Elements for editing from my Sony Handcam. It's very time consuming - I'm not very good at it.
What I do is once I've edited the video using the Adobe I then send it to Windows Movie Maker, sort it out again and then save it in "Videos" on the computer. From there I can send it to a DVD.
I know that sounds a bit long winded but it works for me!

ScotJimland · 09-11-2009, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESCO

Hi

What you need is an editing program of some sort, eg Windows Movie maker or one of the many video editing programs. These have a capture program that when camcorder is connected loads video into the computer.

You can then edit into a film adding titles joining bits together with fades to produce a film without jumps, you can also remove any unwanted scenes, or rearrange to produce the required result

When finished they then have a section to burn to CD/DVD to produce your finished disc.

I would warn you this becomes a time consuming hobby which you will find needs a computer with loads of memory and the faster the better as you get into it but I have found it a great hobby, but it is possible to start with a reasonable computer, providing you have a reasonably large hard drive, as editing eats memory.

Dave

Hi Dave , good advice

I have used both Windows Movie maker and iMovie on the Mac .. both are good and reasonable easy to understand.., however IMO, Apple iMovie is the better.

When shooting video, take lots of short clips of no more than 1 min, this makes it easier to edit..

Once you have imported all the clips, there is nothing worse than a long boring video.. people's attention span is short, so keep the finished product to a max of 3 - 5 mins. .. be ruthless, cut out all the bad bits, out of focus or shots of feet , peoples heads etc. you can also add still shots from your digital camera to use as transitions between video shots. .

Now add a good soundtrack, having a selection of music in iTunes makes this easy. .

You can save the finished product in several formats depending on how you want to use, ie .. internet, YouTube,email or for DVD, So, save the raw project in a master file for later use or editing.

good luck, it's a very time consuming hobby, but very rewarding

This one I made is less than 2 mins, but it feels quite long..
The Lodge CL

YouTube - The Lodge CL Colchester

jim

DESCO · 09-11-2009, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScotJimland

Hi Dave , good advice

I have used both Windows Movie maker and iMovie on the Mac .. both are good and reasonable easy to understand.., however IMO, Apple iMovie is the better.

When shooting video, take lots of short clips of no more than 1 min, this makes it easier to edit..

Once you have imported all the clips, there is nothing worse than a long boring video.. people's attention span is short, so keep the finished product to a max of 3 - 5 mins. .. be ruthless, cut out all the bad bits, out of focus or shots of feet , peoples heads etc. you can also add still shots from your digital camera to use as transitions between video shots. .

Now add a good soundtrack, having a selection of music in iTunes makes this easy. .

You can save the finished product in several formats depending on how you want to use, ie .. internet, YouTube,email or for DVD, So, save the raw project in a master file for later use or editing.

good luck, it's a very time consuming hobby, but very rewarding

This one I made is less than 2 mins, but it feels quite long..
The Lodge CL

YouTube - The Lodge CL Colchester
jim

Hi Jim

See you have been bitten by the bug, like the film. I now tend to make films for my own use, best way I have found to keep records don't use still camera any more thats the wife's job.
Have you ever tried mounting camera on tripod and filming as you go along, we did the trip from Fort William to Mallaig on a sunny spring day made a great film, bit long but a wonderful keepsake, have done this on quite a few road trips in Scotland.
I use Sony Vegas editing program a bit complicated but great when you have mastered it, but expensive to buy.

Dave