Newbie Question - please help!!

Question

Newbie Question - please help!!

ok, so I now have 26, one hour MiniDV tapes recorded with our Sony HD 1080i Video Camera of the family. I would like to take these tapes and convert them to DVD (or Blu-Ray if necessary - however, I would like to avoid this route as possible since Blu-Ray Discs are so expensive.)

I imported my first one hour tape into iMovie 08 and it imported (captured) fine. I then went to export it to a Large file and it estimated 7 hours! This has to be a joke! With 26, one hour tapes and growing, this would turn into a life long project. There has to be a quicker way. Please help!

Thanks,

Mike

PowerMac G5, Mac OS X (10.5.3), 2.5GB Ram, 2TB of internal storage, 2TB of external storage

Posted on Jun 8, 2008 5:25 AM

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Answer 1

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,467 points

Jun 8, 2008 7:31 AM in response to Michael Bovaird

I then went to export it to a Large file and it estimated 7 hours! This has to be a joke! With 26, one hour tapes and growing, this would turn into a life long project.

Hardly a joke. The typical full resolution HD file requires the manipulation of 6-7 times the amount of data contained in the typical VGA SD file which, of course, means more time is required. Consider this, most computers today will convert to M2V at or faster than real time. My old 533 MHz G4 requires about 32 hours to convert a 96-minute SD file using the multi-pass mode at highest quality settings or about 12 hours using more reasonable settings. If you cant afford to invest you time in such endeavors or have vast amounts of disc space to devote to such operations, then you should reconsider your options.

There has to be a quicker way.

Generally speaking, hardware encoding is usually faster that software encoding but may not offer as may quality options/features. You could keep an eye out for such a device that may suit your eventual needs. once you decide where you are going with your content.

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Answer 2

Jun 8, 2008 2:25 PM in response to Jon Walker

Can you recommend a hardware device? Are you suggesting a Panasonic DVD Burner for example? Plug the camera into the hardware device, pop in a blank DVD and press play on the camera/record on the Panasonic DVD Burner??

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Answer 3

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,467 points

Jun 8, 2008 3:48 PM in response to Michael Bovaird

Can you recommend a hardware device?

Not really. I have no way to actually burn HD content at full resolution. Even if I did, I have no software for authoring discs or menus properly nor would I likely be able to afford a broadcast quality hardware encoder since I'm not sure that any major company is manufacturing "home" prosumer models at this time.

Are you suggesting a Panasonic DVD Burner for example? Plug the camera into the hardware device, pop in a blank DVD and press play on the camera/record on the Panasonic DVD Burner?

Hardly. I can burn SD DVD that will play in commercial DVD Players now without having to push HD through the entire work flow. What I lack is an HD program like DVD Studio Pro for authoring and burning Blu-Ray content for playback on any of the current generation of commercial players.

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