Archiving DV Tapes (for a novice)

[mudpie]

I have a Sony DCR-HC47 and now want to archive the DV tapes I have accumulated. Can anyone suggest the best and most straight forward way to do this so that:
1-The quality is not affected and
2-Easy to playback on TV

Is there any particular software that I should use?

Better to store on DVD or hard drive

I'm not particular great with technical stuff so the easier the better, but still want to keep the quality.

[senu]

Originally Posted by mudpie

I have a Sony DCR-HC47 and now want to archive the DV tapes I have accumulated. Can anyone suggest the best and most straight forward way to do this so that:
1-The quality is not affected and
2-Easy to playback on TV

Is there any particular software that I should use?

Better to store on DVD or hard drive

I'm not particular great with technical stuff so the easier the better, but still want to keep the quality.

DV tapes are really the best archive actually
The Advantage of using a HDD is easier randon access
There is no "straightforward" way short of capturing to Your Pc and converting to mpeg2.
Mpeg2 is DVD video quality but smaller filesize than DV AVI which is how they are on th tae
This means using a video file converter
You can then store these on a hdd and make Data DVD copies as additional backup given that neither HDD nor DVD media are infalible

For TV playback you can create DVD videos from the atchived files ( if you dont want to watch the tapes)
or Get a Media Player (I use a relativey afordable WDTV £70) which can play any supported file on a USB device to TV
Unles you have to I would advise you keep your tapes well and dont dispose of the camcorder
It is the easiest playback with best quality combo, for now

[mudpie]

Thanks.
I'll definitely keep the tapes etc.

Is there a particular video file converter that you would recommend?

[senu]

I use Canopus Procoder ( there is an express version) . For Dv to mpeg2, Ver2 is fine ( they are now on ver 4). The express version is better VFM for a simple need. like yours
There are many converters out there though but I find Procoder fast and good quality. Im sure others may be but I guess Im a creature of habit. If I find one that works I dont look any further...
PM Me for more details if you wish