DVD from a Hard Drive Camera.

Question

I wanted some feedback on YOUR best way to make a DVD from a Hard Drive Camera. I have the Sony 60 GB HandyCam. It's great. I have many programs to create a DVD and edit them. Some are Quicktime Pro with MPEG 2 converter to 4 then to Streamclip, CaptyDVD, VisualHub, ImageMixer.
When converting to StreamClip , for instance, which formate is best????
I have found that the QuickTime Pro/2 to 4 converter then into iDVD gives me the best results. Then right to iDVD.
The Visual Hub program is great but it gives me the letter box effect. I rather have the true 16x9 formate.
Any other ideas or programs out there YOU like?
Thanks in advance, Don
MacBook core 2 Duo   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   iMac G4 flat panel

Answer 1

now we put the cart before the horse ...
mpegs are not meant for editing, any further processing; mpegs are a delivery- and playback format...
if you like to do editing (adding titles, music, disolves etc), use a recording-device which supports a codec which is MEANT for editing.. as "dv", on miniDV ...
Streamclip support basic editing (e.g. erasing parts)...
and the loss of audio by using Quicktime for convertign mpegs is another cup of tea ...
nack to your Original Post:
Capty is best in terms of quality, because no triple-conversion is needed, as long as you "burn" videoDVD with Toast or Sizzle ..
Streamclip (+mpeg2 plug-in) is best in terms of "options" ( you can edit AND convert)
DVD2DV is best in terms of usability .. one-click-only
VisualHub is best in terms of flexibility (swiss army knife converter)
ffmpegX + Sizzle is best in terms of cost - free (iLife comes preinstalled)
... and DVD as recording media is NEVER the best, compared to any/most miniDV camcorders... less usabilty (= not supported by iLife, needs additional processes etc), less quality AFTER adding anything/editing/processing, ...
so, back to Square One - get a miniDV for movie making ..