[craynerd]

Dear all, I would like some info on the "editing process" from miniDV. I`m totally confused, I have a canon md235 on its way in the post, not allowed to use it until my birthday early Nov yet want to have some understanding for when my baby is born later in the month.

OK take the scenario - I`ve taken 2 hours worth of film and yes, although perhaps 1 1/2 hours will be worth watching to me, being brutal probably only 30 mins is going to be good enough for family/friends to watch without boaring them too much. So its stuck on the camcorder tape, what options do I have for editing? - So is my only method to dump it on my computer, edit using software and render to DVD?


Chris

[limblee]

I'd say so.

I recommend getting Adobe Premier Pro software, so you tweak whatever you want. I think this will also let you save it out as various file formats, for the web, DVD, VCD, back to DV.
Extract Stills as well (I think)

[craynerd]

yes, i have sony vegas instead. Just wanted to know if you can edit direct on the film or any other options.

[limblee]

I doubt you can even edit on the film (unless you mean just putting on some basic text).

But if you find out you can, do let me know.

[senu]

Originally Posted by craynerd

yes, i have sony vegas instead. Just wanted to know if you can edit direct on the film or any other options.

No you most definitely cannot edit on the tape
That is an advantage as it means you can alway go back to it if you doint lke what youve done.Computer editing is non destructive

Although HDD and DVD camcorders allow some editing in camera it is often basic and limiting and even with them, the best process is to do it from
video files captured onto a computer.
You can then do whatever you like with it , turn that into a dvd and them wipe it off the HDD.
Your tape remains an archive of your shooting
With respect you dont need Adobe Premiere Pro. Good as it is , it has more than the average newcomer would ever want, and does have a learning curve..and it is costly
If you do have Sony Vegas and havent used it , you can play with it by using sample footage
If what you have is the Movie Studio version it has very nice "show me how" tutorials which are interactive
Windows Movie maker is another simple but handy program to learn editing on

IF you want I can post some files to you to practice editing. . You dont need a camcorder for that

The Process
Shoot your video
Connect camcorder to PC via firewire
Using software capture the data on tape to PC
Edit: Trim, add muci, fades ect
Then burn a DVD video
Wipe off the captured file from the PC
The only significant difference with Non tape camcorders is that with them
you use firewire, it is faster and they use less spsce on the PC.
Otherwise the editing and DVD creation is the same