copying mini-dvs

Whines

Whines

prefers formal greetings
#1
#1
so rob lathan and i have these films/shows on mini-dv that we want to copy to other mini-dvs. rob has a camera. we hear the easiest way to make dubs is to use another camera. any camera. even a crappy camera.

does anyone have a mini-dv camera i, will hines, or rob lathan could borrow for a day to make copies?

or some brilliant advice on how to make copies would be cool.

thank you, irc.

your selfish friend,
will hines
 
Morningstar

Morningstar

Tiffers
#2
#2
Digitize the footage into a computer, then output the footage onto another mini DV tape/s. Also, might want to post this in the Digital Video Forum.
 
Rob Lathan

Rob Lathan

seriously
#4
#4
hey thanks neat-o. The thing is I have a PC computer. And I don't think I can transfer the mini-Dv to my computer without a firewire. Is that right? Should I buy a firewire? Or just toss my PC out and get a mac? (hopefully the answer isn't yes) Basically what I'm asking is how do I digitize the footage to my computer? Yes I'm an idiot. Oh yeah and bring it, wrong forum. Move this. :flip:
 
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Morningstar

Morningstar

Tiffers
#5
#5
To digitize footage into your PC you will need a camera (which you already have) editing software (which for the purposes you are talking about, you can get for cheap or for free) and a firewire cable. Alot of people prefer to edit on a Mac setup, but it is by no means the only way to do it. Depending on when you got your PC, it might have some form of editing software already installed. If you are interested in taking the plunge and doing this, I'd put a post in the Digital Video forum, there are alot of people who will give you good feedback on editing software that will work best for what you need. Or,someone mentioned awhile back that Avid (which is PC friendly) has a basic set up that is free:

http://www.avid.com/forms/freeDVReg.asp.

Worth checking out.
 
Choo Choo Andee

Choo Choo Andee

Hip Hop Honky
#7
#7
To export a lot of video from a computer to a mini dv camera is extremely time consuming. This is what I do......If you have a good VCR, just hook the camera up to the VCR and record while the camera is playing the footage........put in a new DV tape into the camera and then do the opposite....play the VHS tape and record with the mini DV.........It looses a little bit of quality but not much if you have a good VCR. If you can get an extra dv camera, that's the easiest way.
 
Rob Lathan

Rob Lathan

seriously
#9
#9
Thanks everybody. I downloaded avid. So at least I have that on my computer just in case. And I might still try the VCR and/or camera approach as well. By the way, where's Wrong Forum? I thought she'd be here by now.
 
plasticpool

plasticpool

nickel ward line
#13
#13
ugh. don't do the camera>vcr>camera thing -- you'll lose a lot of quality. how much footage (in hours) do you have to copy? i might be able to help. email me: dan at danwinckler dott com.
 
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