Video tape transfer: as 1 complete computer file or many small files?

The software for my Sony Camcorder has the option of transferring the video as many separate files for each time I've stopped/started recording or as one file for the entire tape, it recommends saving individual files although saving as one file may work better for other programs.
I've only used windows dvd maker and the stop/start between files is irritating, I don't yet have editing sw so
before I continue should I transfer as one large video or many small videos?

advice appreciated

[stu.artd]

Transfer as one large video, hopefully the stop/starts will be detected & that'll set them as 'chapters'.

Just start it off and let it run for the length of the tape, if it's not worked properly just delete the file and run the import again.

[senu]

AS above
Transfer in a single go and let the software create clips based on scene changes.
Many capture software can do so on a time predetermined level, on scene changes or manually but you don't have to capture separately
One "complete file" captured continuously can be a nightmare to edit but you don't have to start/stop for clip creation

Thanks very much, as I only used the basic sw that came with windows I didn't know if I would get the stop/start with some proper software.

[senu]

Originally Posted by JF119

Thanks very much, as I only used the basic sw that came with windows I didn't know if I would get the stop/start with some proper software.

Have a play with
WIN DV