Create DVD's from MiniDV using this basic method:

1. Transfer my video data from my camcorder to my computer as DV-AVI files via Firewire which is also called i.Link or IEEE 1394. Because various software can "encode" your video to various undesired formats it is best to transfer the video in its highest quality which is DV-AVI. I use WinDV to do the transfer it can be downloaded at: http://windv.mourek.cz/ or another utility that works well is DVIO: http://www.carr-engineering.com/dvio.htm . Both programs are small and free.

2. Edit the .AVI file in editor as desired. I have used a variety of editors from Windows Movie Maker to Sony Vegas 5.

3. Save edited file as a DV AVI file when finished editing.

4. Import the edited .AVI file to a DVD Authoring program (which encodes .AVI to MPEG-2, makes menus, creates file structures then writes DVD).

For low budget software which will do all of the above you can use:

Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD List US $89.95

Sony Vegas Movie Studio+DVD Platinum Edition List US $129.95

Adobe Premiere Elements also appears to be a good package.

You might want to read through this good explanation DVD tutorial.

Last update: 09:12 PM Wednesday, August 9, 2006