Firewire Capture

[Etnomaiab]

I got a digital video camera for christmas (sony DCR-TRV33), and I was wondering what was the best way to get the video to my computer. I have a firewire card on it and the cable for it, and I also have the USB cable that came with the camera. From what I understand, firewire should give me better results, but both of them dont look great when capturing from the software that sony gave me. I was wondering what the best software was for doing this, or if there was any good freeware that would work for capturing video off of my digital video camera. I am hoping to achieve really good video quality since I want to put all of my footage on DVDs.

thanks for your help
-Nick

 

[igowerf]

What software did Sony give you? Also, what are the specs of your computer?

 

[gsaldivar]

Since a Firewire video signal is completely digital, you "transfer" the data instead of "capturing" it like in the old analog days.

To "transfer" and edit digital video from a camcorder, you can use Windows Movie Maker (look in Start > Programs) or a more professional video package like Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere... etc.

When you edit the video, adding effects, etc. you should transfer the finished video back to tape or DVD so you can play it back on a TV. Transfering the finished video back to tape also "renders" the effects and transitions you used at full NTSC resolution, which means your finished product will approach broadcast quality.

Since working with full NTSC resolution digital video requires huge amounts of RAM & HD space, software makers sometimes save in a lower resolution by default which requires less RAM & HD space. The Sony software you are currently using to transfer the digital video probably does this, and is causing the low quality video problem you mentioned. The solution would be to increase the save resolution of the software you are using, or use a different software which allows you to do so.

If you have a choice between using Firewire or USB, definitely go with Firewire.

Hope this helps.. Good luck!