DVD movie makers, help me out.

[RYAN50BMG]

This is what I have. A Sony DCR-HC26 Handycam and a Gateway computer w/ Windows Vista Home Premium. I want to import video to make DVD's but the driver i downloaded from Sony will only accept an ilink cable.The camera has USB 2.0. There is no way to connect an ilink cable to my computer. It looks like my only option is to get a different DVD/movie program that will support what i have. What program should I get? I don't want to spend 100$ and find out it won't work. I'm way better with guns than I am with computers, so please use small words and type slowly. Thanks

[Sucka]

Are you looking for advice on editing software, or just a way to import it? You have the capability to import using USB, but lack the software to do anything with the footage? Just trying to understand this correctly.

I have a Sony HD camera, so my format is a bit more limited than what you might have (not familiar with your camera). I've been using Sony Vegas 7, but like i said with the format an HD camera puts out, i'm much more limited than you would be. fwiw, i really like Adobe Software for general editing. Expensive stuff when purchased, but can be had by other means *cough cough* Last i checked Adobe offered 30 day trial periods on their software. Unfortunately, "good" editing software isn't cheap, you honestly get what you pay for.

[RYAN50BMG]

Thanks Sucka. Basically, I need to know that whatever software I buy will work with what I have. I looked at the Adobe, looked ok. I just don't want to spend money on something that won't, but I will spend the money on a more quality item.

[AZFats]

This is my first post on this forum. I just bought a Bushmaster and I don't really know what I'm doing so I'm here to learn. In the meantime maybe I can help with something I do know a little about...

Ilink is Sony's name for firewire, and you could get a firewire card from Newegg for under $20, or a little more locally. But you should be able to import video without any Sony drivers at all using Windows Movie Maker.


What happens when you plug your camera in using USB? It should bring up a little notice in the RH taskbar saying “found new hardware”, then “Sony Camera” or something to that effect. Try plugging your camera in to the USB port and then firing up Windows Movie Maker, then go to “File”, then “Import Video” an see what happens...


EDIT: As for software, it is a lot easier to author a DVD with a commercial package.


Adobe Premiere is expensive ($799) and has a steep learning curve, it's really just a pro editing program, with only the most basic authoring tools. To burn a DVD with Adobe you would also need Encore, or the whole “Creative Suite” ...also really expensive. The good news is you can DL 30 day trails of all Adobe software. http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/?promoid=BONSM
EDIT again: Premiere Elements is the home version of Premiere, it's only $70 and I don't know much about it. http://www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/

Sony Vegas is the video editing software of choice for most home users that want to move beyond MS Movie Maker. I don't think they offer a trail version and I can't get to their site right now.

The easiest and most popular DVD burning\authoring software for the home user has got to be Nero. Excellent and relatively simple to use. Sort of a must have for anyone with a burner, and great for copying commercial DVDs, once you have ripped them with an easy to find semi-legal utility. It also includes some editing features but nothing a whole lot better than the built in MSMM. You can DL a 30 day trail here, and the full package is about $80. http://www.nero.com/enu/index.html

Either way, you have to get your camera communicating with Windows before any software will work...

[cheapo]

I think it is a little odd that your computer doesn't have a firewire port. Anyway, as AZfats said you can get one pretty cheap. So, the steps you need to take to download your video off your camara are first, connect video camara to the computer by USB or prefered Firewire port. As AZfats said your computer should see that something is connected. This brings me to step 2. Make sure your computer and whatever editing software can recognize your video camara. Most editing software will actually display your camara model number when it sees it. If you computer and editing software can see your camara, most of the problem is gone. Vegas 7 is a very nice editing software. I have used Ulead which I think is a pretty easy one to use and under $100. Otherwise if Movie Maker (which is probably already on your computer) can see your camara you can easily use it.