SD Cameras vs MiniDV

Hi people,
I need to change my old MiniDV Canon because it is old already and it is staring to fail sometimes. I was checking the options available now and I have found the new SD cameras.
I edit video as a hobby and sometimes I don't have enoght time. On the other hand, I don't have any more space in my disks to keep all the videos in DV format anymore. So I see the new SD cameras with very much interest since I don't need to import the videos making a playback and they need much less space that the uncompressed DV format.
My question is: How much impact does the SD cameras have in the editing? Is the difference in the quality so big?
Thanks in advance for your advice,
Guillermo

Hi,
thanks for the answer.
Do you have this camera? I have read in the reviews that the low light performance is very bad, compared with miniDV cameras in the same price range.
If you have it, is it the handling with such a small size?
Thanks,
Guillermo

Similar Messages

Unable to properly capture HD video from miniDV tape in FCE

unable to capture HD video from miniDV tape
When I connect my Sony HDR-HC3 miniDV HDV camcorder to my iMac via firewire cable and use Final Cut Express to capture the video from the tape, I do not get a Capture window that allows me to specify in and out points, I just get a playback window that immediately starts capturing and the only option I have in this window is hit ESC to stop capturing. If I let this capture window continue to capture the video from the camera with miniDV HD tape, then the entire tape would be captured as one massive single video clip.
QUESTION: Is there something I change or do to make the proper capture window appear where I can specify in and out points to capture from tape for each clip?
NOTE: using same camera and tape with iMovie with automatic capture enabled, all the clips get captured properly. I also tried to use the manual setting in iMovie and it worked too.
More details(read only if you want more information)
I have a several miniDV tapes containing HD video created on a Sony Sony HDR-HC5 and Sony HDR-HC7. Unfortunately, both these camera were stolen, and I have since moved to a camera that uses flash memory, not tape. However, I need to get the video footage off these tapes, so I bought a used Sony HDR-HC3, it plays the HD miniDV tapes just fine and iMovie reads the video from this camera just fine, but Final Cut Express does not.
When I setup Final Cut Express, I used the Easy Setup and specified:
Format: HD
Rate: 29.97 fps
Use: HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60
These setting match those of the camera and recorded tape. If I use any other settings but these, then Final Cut Express never sees the camera and never opens any capture window at all. Using Quicktime 10 movie inspector on the clips captured by iMovie from same camera, all the clips match this setting too.
Final Cut Express version 4.0.1
iMovie 09 Version 8.0.2 (821)
iMac 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 running
Mac OS X Version 10.6.4
My Final Cut Express scratch disk is a Seagate 2TB external USB 2.0 Hard Drive that has been formatted to be Mac OS Extended (Journaled). This external disk is also where iMovie successfully captured all the video from the same camera.

Thanks for the answer. It makes me sad. I thought using Final Cut Express would be an upgrade to a more robust editing system from iMovie, yet iMovie does a superior job of logging and capturing video from HDV video on miniDV tape in comparison to FCE. Not only does iMovie capture each clip on the tape into it's own video file automatically, it also includes timestamp information in the filename indicating when the clip was originally recorded, which appears to be something that is missing from Final Cut Express. Now I realize that HDV miniDV cameras had a relatively short life span in the consumer marketplace and have since all been replaced by flash and hard drive based AVCHD cameras, but from circa 2004 to 2007, miniDV HDV camcorders were very popular and I am sure there are lots of consumers that must be super frustrated by Final Cut Express limited ability to log and capture clips properly from these cameras.
Assuming I do not want to make a rough cut of video in iMovie and prefer to begin my editing project in Final Cut Express (not doing XML export of iMovie project), I need to determine the best way to get clips captured via iMovie into Final Cut Express and determine if there is anything inferior in the iMovie captured clips that I need to be aware of. So far it appears that both iMovie and Final Cut Express reduce the 5.1 surround sound captured on the HDV miniDV tapes to stereo sound, which is not a big lose given the 5.1 sound was recorded from camera's built-in microphone, but it makes me wonder if the video is reduced in any way by the iMovie import process, examining the video in quicktime's inspector window the video appears to be the same in both iMovie and FCE, but I'll research the answers to these questions elsewhere on this forum and post additional questions if I do not find the information I need.

Camera compatibility

I am looking to buy Final Cut Express, and i have a Sony DCR-HC36, it works fine with iMovie, never had any problems. However it is not on the list of compatible cameras in the Final Cut Express websiite. will this camera still work with FCE or will i need a new one? Some guy at Best Buy told me Sony and Mac never get along, but my video camera and digital camera have always worked fine. Any help is appreciated.

Hi(Bonjour)!
BestBuy guy should search this forum.
Generally, SONY cameras are very reliable when hooked to your mac and used with FCE.
Apple and Sony are so integrated that the Final Cut Express 3.0 box displays a SONY FX1...
As I can see on the web, your camera use miniDV tape and has a firewire port, so it's compatible with FCE.
Pay attention to record in small play mode (not long play) with 16 bit audio.
Michel Boissonneault

Question about outputting DVCPRO HD to MiniDV Tape

Hi There,
I have a DVCPRO HD 720p24 project that I need to output onto MiniDV and I have a few questions. I am running FCS2 with the latest updates.
1) I have an older sony camera (DCR-PC100) that I am outputting to. I would like to maintain my 16x9 aspect ratio. Provided I have selected anamorphic in my sequence settings, will my camera record a 720x480 image with the aspect ration intact? The camera is just a 4:3 consumer camera and it's a bit older. Just don't want to lose any quality.
2) As it states in my signature, I'm working on a MBP so my only video output for coloring monitoring and that type of thing is through firewire and out of my camera. This doesn't work correctly from my native 720p24 sequence - it just sticks on one frame. I am already in the process of rebuilding a 720x480 NTSC sequence. Is this the only way I can output properly to a monitor?
Thank you for reading my post

Hi Spiff,
Well I mainly assumed so because the most practicle way to screen a selection of films in one session at a short film festival is to compile a tape with all the films set to one ratio (usually 4:3)and I thought you were specifically asked to send a tape.
However it would be wise indeed to call them.
Some festivals use/compile miniDV or DVDs some others BetaSP or DigiBeta.
With regard to transferring the film onto your PC 100 (Mighty PC 100! It was very popular 4-5 years ago amongst domestic camcorders, so popular that Sony put a PC 12O in the market with enahanced features) providing it works fine, then you will be fine to use it. Renting a deck or using a pro camera with miniDV capability will not improve the quality of your video.
If your anamorphic version looks fine then lay that one on the tape.
Try to use Panasonic pro master 63 minutes miniDV tapes. THey are white tapes.
Good luck with the festival!
G

Question about camera compatability

Hi,
I bought a DVD Panasonic VDR-D200 camcorder only to find that it doesn't work well with iMovie 6 because it doesn't use Firewire, only USB. I've been hearing the term miniDV in the discussion forums and now I'm confused...how many typs of camcorders are there and what type is supportd by iMovie 6? Is miniDV a tape camcorder, I'm assuming? Any specific models that would work well with iMovie would be greatly appreciated. Please only give advicec if you're sure you know what you're talking about...this will be the second camera I'm returning for compatability issues amounting to $160 in re-shelving fees! What an idiot I am! Thanks for your time and help...By the way, I use a Powerbook G4 if that makes a difference.

miniDV is a specific kind of tape format, have a look at any camera store or do some wiki… I estimate, 70% of consumer camcorders do use this format.
(pic by wikipedia)
any camcorder with miniDV plus firewire (Sony calls it iLink) should work with iM.... (and socalled Digital8 too, but that is an older standard... actual cameras are miniDV); I did own a Canon, now for years using a simple but excellent SonyTRV14…
no, iApps don't support DVDcorders, mpeg4, flashmem, harddrive, solid state, whatsoever cameras...
Please only give advicec if you're sure you know what you're talking about..
me sure? ... mostly ... failed often, but still self-confident...

Web Cam Compatibility

I am not able to transfer video from my digital video camera (Panasonic NV-GS250),through USB port.I could not find firewire cable either in kuwait. I do not know what to do?

hey there Vijaymehta & welcome to Discussions,
if your cam is MiniDV tape-based, you'll have to get a Firewire cable 4-pin to 6-pin. this should be available from Apple Store-unfortunately it's down right now. also try looking/asking for an iLink cable 4-pin to 6-pin. if you have access the cables are available on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F3N401-06-ICE-4-Pin-6-Pin-FireWire/dp/B00005NIMR/re f=sr11?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1215965409&sr=1-1. maybe others from your part of the world will offer other options.
good luck

Analog Signal to Digital a Primer

Many users have analog material sitting around, and they would like to get it into digital form, so that it can be edited. As this material is below SD (Standard Definition) quality, I will address the methods for digitizing it, so that it can be best edited in a DV Project. The output can be a DVD-Video, or other format, depending on what one wishes.
The process of getting this analog material into a digital form, is referred to as Capturing, and it is digitizing the analog material and writing it to a file, that can be edited.
One will need some method of getting the analog signals into digital form, and for connecting the analog output from their analog playback device to the computer. Though the analog signal could come from all sorts of devices, I’ll use a VHS tape deck in this example.
Since a VHS tape deck does not have an A-D (Analog to Digital) processor, and also does not have a a digital signal Out, one needs something in between it, and the computer. That “something” serves two needs: mechanical connection of cables and the ability to convert the analog to digital for use in an NLE (Non Linear Editor). That “something” can be a digital video camera with pass-through capabilities, a device, called a “bridge,” or a capture card inserted into a bus slot in the computer. All three have pluses and minuses.
The first two methods rely on one having a FireWire connection on the computer and will use the Capture module in the NLE software.
The digital video camera route is good, as one already owns it. Having one with pass-through capabilities is getting more difficult. The camera also has to have FireWire (FW, IEEE-1394a, or iLink) output, and the computer must have a matching connection.
An A-D bridge will do the same thing: allow one to connect the analog cables to one end/side, process the analog signals to digital and then output via FW to the computer. There are various such bridges available and two of the most often recommended makes/models are: the ADS-Pryo, and theCanopus/Grass Valley ADVC-110. Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
A dedicated capture card performs the same task, with one exception. The card will mount into an empty PCI slot on the MoBo, and have inputs for the analog cables. The card will have chips on it, to digitize the analog signals and feed these to the computer via the PCI slot. These do not connect via FW, but have one drawback: they must, in virtually every instance, use additional software to do the actual Capture, as most NLE’s cannot directly see and work with them. Some of the included software Capture programs are better, than others. One common issue with many of these cards is a loss of sync, between the Audio and the Video. This is usually static OOS (Out Of Sync), in that it is usually off by a fixed number of frames, and does not drift over time. This can be fixed in the NLE, but is extra work. This ARTICLE will give you tips on correcting OOS.
Now, we are ready to begin the Capture, as our equipment and cables are all ready to go. We have a big decision in front of us - what format/CODEC do we use to Capture our digital files? Since we are doing an SD Project with non-HD (High Def) material, there is one fine choice: DV-AVI Type II w/ 48KHz 16-bit PCM/WAV Audio, using the DV/DVC CODEC. These files will be approximately 13GB / hour of Duration. Storage will need to be considered. These files are also I-frame, meaning that each “Frame” is rendered and available, so that frame-accurate editing is possible. The NLE will not need to do any processing, or conversion of these files, as even the Audio is ready for DVD-Video. Note: there will still be Conforming and the generation of PEK (Waveform Display) files, but the NLE will be able to do this quickly and efficiently.
Using AVI Uncompressed will get you nothing that you can see, other than larger files. Do NOT use any compressed format/CODEC, like MPEG-2, WMV, MOV, etc., as these will loose data from an already inferior source, and will then need conversion to be used, either with a stand-alone conversion program, or internally by the NLE. You loose quality and then have more work to be done. Do not let the temptation of smaller files lure you into using anything but DV-AVI Type II, and just accommodate the larger file sizes.
With the file format/CODEC decision made, the cables and devices hooked up, we’re ready to start the Capture. The exact operation will depend on what our equipment choice has been. See above for talk about additional Capture software, if one uses a capture card. Otherwise, we should be able to use the Capture module of our NLE. The first issue is that we will NOT have Device Control, as we would with a Capture from a miniDV tape-based digital camera, where we can control the mechanical aspects of the camera, during this process. As our VHS deck is hooked up to the A-D bridge, or digital camera w/ pass-through, via analog cables, our control signals cannot be sent to it. One would cue up the tape in the VHS deck, and then choose Record/Capture in the NLE’s Capture module, starting the Capture. Instantly, they would hit Play on the VHS deck, or via that deck’s remote control. This is easier the second time that one does it. I sit with the mouse in my right hand, poised over the Record/Capture button, and the VHS deck’s remote in my left hand, finger hovering over Play. It’s then a 1 - 2 push, and all starts. One can stop the Capture, if an unwanted section of tape comes up. The Capture module of the NLE will direct us on how to proceed from there, should more Captures be wanted. Some will just start up at a later point, and write an additional file for that portion of the tape, but some might require that one basically sets up a new Capture session One should investigate just what their NLE will require for doing multiple Capture sessions from one VHS tape.
When done, one closes the Capture module, and then navigates to the location that these DV-AVI Type II files have been stored in, and Imports them into the Project. This differs slightly from doing the Capture from a miniDV tape camera, as those Captured files are already in the Project.
Edit away, and Export/Share to the necessary output settings, file type and CODEC.
What about those VHS - DVD decks, the ones that will burn a DVD directly from the VHS tape? They seem so simple to use, and for the most part are. However, those DVD-Video discs, contain pretty heavily-compressed MPEG-2 AV streams. These MPEG-2's, besides being compressed, are in aGOP structure and are muxed (Multiplexed into one file with both a Video & Audio stream), plus there is often some Menus and navigation in the first VOB, the main container components of a DVD-Video. Many NLE’s can Import the VOB’s, and basically rip the MPEG-2 out of them, but that first VOB can be highly problematic, due to the way that most of those decks do the Menus and navigation. It is seldom 100% DVD-compliant by the DVD-specs. This can be a major problem. This ARTICLE will give you some background and tips on DVD VOB's.
Those dual-decks are good for doing one thing, regarding the DVD’s that they produce - provide one with an archival DVD-Video of the VHS tape, and not to be edited. However, the VHS side of these works well with an A-D bridge, just like a pure VHS deck does. I would strongly recommend that one does NOT use the DVD-Video portion of these, if editing will be desired. They cause many more problems, than they solve - just use them for an “archive” copy of the tape to a DVD-Video, for playback on a computer via DVD software or a set-top player, hooked to a TV.
What about film? Well, film is obviously analog, and one needs to digitize this to edit on the computer. The process of this digitizing is referred to as telecineing the film. While one can buy equipment to do this, it is expensive, and involves a lot of setup and testing to get the job done. There are many service bureaus, that offer telecining. Some are better than others. The main considerations are: care in handling of fragile film, how the telecining is done, i.e. frame by frame w/ a liquid gate, or just by straight projection, and then output format for the digitized files. Some of these services will offer a DVD-Video disc. Do not be tempted to do this. See above. Others will offer to write these digitized files to a miniDV tape, and this is just fine. One does then need a miniDV camera, or miniDV tape deck, to then do the Capture from, but the quality and editability will be preserved. The final delivery format would be to put these DV-AVI Type II files onto an external HDD. This saves one from having to do the Capture from miniDV tape, having to have a miniDV camera, or miniDV deck, and only Importing of those files would be required to get them into the Project. Many of these service bureaus will either sell you the external, or use one provided to them. Check out specifications for things like format of the external. FAT-32 will limit the file sizes to ~ 4GB max, and NTSF will have no such limitations. However, if the service bureau is on Mac, and you’re on the PC, their Mac’s can ONLY see FAT-32 HDD’s. Talk this over with the service bureau first, so that there are no surprises later on.
Hope that this helps,
Hunt
PS - also see this FAQ Entry for more detail.

the_wine_snob wrote:
Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
Although I now have a Canopus ADVC300 I previously used a Magix 'Movies on DVD' USB device. I found the results from this to be particularly good and, to my ageing eyes, I see very little quality difference.
I think this is because Magix use their proprietary high quality codec (from their Pro products) to capture the footage. Like DV-AVI it runs around 10GB+ per hour. This can then, very simply, be exported to DV-AVI Type 2 for use in PRE. Note that there are some sound synchronisation issues with the 'out of the box' settings - but the fix is quick and I posted details to the Magix forum.
Would I revert if I could return my ADVC300 bridge? Probably not - the firewire connection and the PC seeing the box as a camcorder adds to ease of use. In fact I am pleased to have both. There are some things Magix does better than PRE7 (batch exporting each scene as an individual DV-AVI file being just one) and it has smart-rendering which is handy for quick clip splitting/exporting.
Cheers,
Neale
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children

"Blue Screen of Death" when trying to capture video!

Whenever I go to capture video, it immediately gives me a blue screen and the computer restarts. I thought that installing Premiere (CS 4 trial) would allow me to use Premiere's capture capabilities, but I still got the same blue screen problem. So, what could be the problem? I have captured video on this same computer before, using the same camera (Panasonic MiniDV cam....can't remember the model #) with no problem. Not sure why it's giving me trouble now. Do drivers need updated? I am operating on a PC....Windows Vista, and I have plenty of drive space. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Along with Harm's questions, this ARTICLE might help you get started gathering clues.
Good luck,
Hunt

How can I get Premier Elements to recognize my Canon Vixia HV40 to record tape from it?

I recently installed Adobe Premier Elements 12 on my new Lenovo U310 Ideapad computer. I opened the program and was able to transfer a clip from a file transfered to me from a smart phone recording and start assembling a new home movie. However, when I tried to get video footage from my Canon Vixia HV40 tape camcorder, I received a message "No HDV camera connected. I then used my older Canon Vixia HV20 camera and changed the USB connecting cable, but that camera too was not recognized. In the past, I had been succesfull using an older version of Premie Elements to get footage from my Canon camera. Is it possible that this new Premier Elements 12 is not programed to pick up these Canon video cameras or is their some way around this problem. My new computer does not have a 1394 input.

TR Snevac
As far as I have ever seen reported DV or HDV data capture into Premiere Elements Capture Windows (any version) does not work unless the connection is firewire. And, there are occasions (especially with HDV capture firewire) the require that the capture firewire be done in HDVSplit and then the split clips imported into a Premiere Elements project via the typical Get Media/Add Media route.
Which version of Premiere Elements allowed you to do a DV or HDV capture firewire in to its Capture Window using a USB connection? From what you wrote it gave me the impression that you were saying that you had.
If you have followed the protocol for HDV data capture firewire into Premiere Elements 12 (with correct project preset)
http://help.adobe.com/fr_FR/premiereelements/using/WS5CDA0F91-60F1-4b79-ABF6-E9E75F498DB2. html#WS2AF26FB5-4C63-4c46-9DB3-7249558F6528
then you would need to explore the use of HDVSplit (firewire connection) and then import of the .m2t split clips from that process in to Premiere Elements 12 (Add Media/Files and Folders/Project Assets).
http://strony.aster.pl/paviko/hdvsplit.htm
If both these Canon camera are miniDV camcorders, then you need a firewire connect to the data capture into Premiere Elements Capture Windows.
Do you have access to a computer with a firewire port?
Or
Does your computer have what is referred to as a PCMCIA slot for use with a firewire card? Have you looked into the possibility? No sure if that will work for you.
ATR

How can I get Leo iCal to recognize Calenders from Tiger iCal

During my Archive and Install of Leo onto a Tiger system, the install crapped out on a corrupted Printer driver (can't remember the exact message), but it required a restart of the install.
Unfortunately, during the previous install, the install had made it past the creation of the Previous Systems folder and had moved all the users and application, etc. into the folder, and I was forced to do a complete fresh install.
Now I am stuck trying to get my core apps up and running with the previous information. Address book was fine, I just move the database into the appropriate location in the user folder before I first launched Address Book and all the entries were there. I tried the same for iCal and all I got was the default Home and Work categories.
Is there a way to retroactively get iCal to recognize and display the existing calendars from prior to the Leo install?
Any help or suggestions would be very appreciated.
Thanks

TR Snevac
As far as I have ever seen reported DV or HDV data capture into Premiere Elements Capture Windows (any version) does not work unless the connection is firewire. And, there are occasions (especially with HDV capture firewire) the require that the capture firewire be done in HDVSplit and then the split clips imported into a Premiere Elements project via the typical Get Media/Add Media route.
Which version of Premiere Elements allowed you to do a DV or HDV capture firewire in to its Capture Window using a USB connection? From what you wrote it gave me the impression that you were saying that you had.
If you have followed the protocol for HDV data capture firewire into Premiere Elements 12 (with correct project preset)
http://help.adobe.com/fr_FR/premiereelements/using/WS5CDA0F91-60F1-4b79-ABF6-E9E75F498DB2. html#WS2AF26FB5-4C63-4c46-9DB3-7249558F6528
then you would need to explore the use of HDVSplit (firewire connection) and then import of the .m2t split clips from that process in to Premiere Elements 12 (Add Media/Files and Folders/Project Assets).
http://strony.aster.pl/paviko/hdvsplit.htm
If both these Canon camera are miniDV camcorders, then you need a firewire connect to the data capture into Premiere Elements Capture Windows.
Do you have access to a computer with a firewire port?
Or
Does your computer have what is referred to as a PCMCIA slot for use with a firewire card? Have you looked into the possibility? No sure if that will work for you.
ATR

How do I get around source tape issues while importing a DV tape?

Ok so I recently purchased Final Cut Studio 3 and I am attempting to import (to Final Cut Pro 7) DV tapes via a Samsung digital camcorder (model: SC-D365) and a 800/400 Firewire cable. However after a certain amount of time (it varies from capture to capture) a message pops up and displays the following "Capture encountered a problem reading the data on your source tape. This could be due to a problem with the tape. Capture has been aborted and your clip has been saved". The tapes themselves play perfectly on the camera. Also the few clips that I have gathered after many attempts have tons of audio holes. I am new to Final Cut Pro and have tried everything and I really need to figure this out because the tapes that I have are the only tapes of the project. Any help would be appreciated and since I am new to the program I would greatly appreciate detailed steps if you know how to fix it.

That camera is MiniDV, so by and large should be compatible overall. You should run a head cleaning tape (or a head cleaning ape if you have one - Magilla Gorilla?). But your deck may not be completely compatible with the recording. Subtle variations can cause dropouts that you won't see because the electronics just substitute the last packet from to hide this during playback. I've had tapes that would capture just fine in one deck, and dropout central in another.
Best bet is using the camera that recorded it to play it back.
Worst case scenario, set the capture to non-controlled device, press the capture button, then press play on the deck. However, you will not be able to re-capture that segment automatically should you lose your capture files.
make sense?
Patrick

Why won't my video upload

I use a Casio Exilim and none of my videos will work in iMovie
anyone have an suggestions? I was trying to maybe convert them
but I didn't really know where to begin with that. If anyone knows
anything that'd be great
thanks!

Hi Anna
a. iMovie 1 to HD 6 - are only for miniDV tape Cameras and only via FireWire
No USB/USB2 at all. (May be some other HD Cameras except miniDV but FW they too)
b. To Use Your Camera - either
• Convert Your movies to streamingDV that iM 1 - 6 (and 08) can read
Sorry - You already use iM'08 ? - then this doesn't apply
• Try using iMovie'08 (at a Store may be ?) and see if it works. It might.
c. To convert one needs to know from what file format eg .mpeg1, .mpeg2, .mpeg4, .avi, .vmw etc in all eternity.
Yours Bengt W

How can I get iMovie 2011 to recognize my Canon Vixia HV30?

When trying to import videos in iMovie 2011, my iMac doesn't recognize my camcorder - it just pulls up the built in camera on the iMac

TR Snevac
As far as I have ever seen reported DV or HDV data capture into Premiere Elements Capture Windows (any version) does not work unless the connection is firewire. And, there are occasions (especially with HDV capture firewire) the require that the capture firewire be done in HDVSplit and then the split clips imported into a Premiere Elements project via the typical Get Media/Add Media route.
Which version of Premiere Elements allowed you to do a DV or HDV capture firewire in to its Capture Window using a USB connection? From what you wrote it gave me the impression that you were saying that you had.
If you have followed the protocol for HDV data capture firewire into Premiere Elements 12 (with correct project preset)
http://help.adobe.com/fr_FR/premiereelements/using/WS5CDA0F91-60F1-4b79-ABF6-E9E75F498DB2. html#WS2AF26FB5-4C63-4c46-9DB3-7249558F6528
then you would need to explore the use of HDVSplit (firewire connection) and then import of the .m2t split clips from that process in to Premiere Elements 12 (Add Media/Files and Folders/Project Assets).
http://strony.aster.pl/paviko/hdvsplit.htm
If both these Canon camera are miniDV camcorders, then you need a firewire connect to the data capture into Premiere Elements Capture Windows.
Do you have access to a computer with a firewire port?
Or
Does your computer have what is referred to as a PCMCIA slot for use with a firewire card? Have you looked into the possibility? No sure if that will work for you.
ATR

Best practice for handling original files once movie is complete?

So I'm taking movies from my Canon S5IS (and other cameras in the past) and making projects in iMovie, sharing in the Media Browser, importing into iDVD, and burning to DVD.
I can't help but wonder if I might need the original footage one day. Do most people keep their original files for future media (replacement for DVD) which I realize would require recreation of the movies that were created in 2008 with iMovie (with title screens, transitions, etc.)? Or do most people delete the originals with the feeling that DVD will be a suitable way to watch home movies for the foreseeable future?
I just can't figure out what to do. I don't want to burn dozens of DVDs of raw footage, only to have keep up with them in a safe deposit box and have to deal with the anxiety of having to recreate movies one day (which is daunting enough now...unbelievably daunting to think about the exponential growth as time progresses).
Hope this make sense. Reading that DVD movies are not suitable for editing due to the codec has made me realize I need to think through this before destroying all these originals as I'm finished with them.
Thanks in advance!
-John

If any of your cams are miniDV, then you simply need to keep the original tapes and tape is still the safest long term archiving solution, when stored properly.
Other cams that use flash memory, hard drives, even DVD cams, do not offer the security that tape does. If you are wanting to save those types of files, the best option would be to store them on one or two external hard drives, bearing in mind those drives could fail anytime. Back up to your back up in that case.
Another nice thing about miniDV cams is that you can export your finished movie back to a tape also, using iMovie HD6, and have safe copies of original and finished material.
Message was edited by: Forest Mccready

What's a camcorder that's compatible with Final Cut Express

I just got final cut express and I am looking for a camcorder from $200 to $400 that's compatible with it. I don't know much about camcorders, and some simple straightforward suggestions would be much appreciated Thanks!

Would you like to use tape or a tapeless storage variety?
Tape cameras are miniDV or HDV, both work fine with FCE. HDV may well be out of the price range.
A base model AVCHD camera (tapeless) will also be fine.
Note: Standard AVCHD is OK but many cameras use variants like AVCHD Lite. Read the fine print.
Al

SD Cameras vs MiniDV

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