hi
I have a Sony 60x Optical Zoom DCR-DVD685. I took some videos but I can't get them onto my 2010 iMac. I am using an USB cord and my computer says it notices a blank disc. I can't get the videos to import onto iMovie, iDVD or iPhoto. This camcorder records onto small discs too small to fit into my computer. Also, it won't let me delete videos. Is this because it's on a disc? Thanks.
Answer
If you have a mini dvd camcorderâ¦.
You will have to finalize your dvd in the camera and then put the dvd in your computer's DVD burner (top loading only) and then you will have to convert the files (I downloaded http://www.handbrake.fr/ or http://www.any-video-converter.com/download-avc-free.php file converter free) and import them into your editing program. Use the HELP feature in your editing program to learn about editing. Usually you would import your videos and drop them in to the timeline, add transitions, menus, music, etc. Once you are ready to burn, your project will be burned to a different DVD and you can file the original away.
If you have a mini dvd camcorderâ¦.
You will have to finalize your dvd in the camera and then put the dvd in your computer's DVD burner (top loading only) and then you will have to convert the files (I downloaded http://www.handbrake.fr/ or http://www.any-video-converter.com/download-avc-free.php file converter free) and import them into your editing program. Use the HELP feature in your editing program to learn about editing. Usually you would import your videos and drop them in to the timeline, add transitions, menus, music, etc. Once you are ready to burn, your project will be burned to a different DVD and you can file the original away.
what features should a decent video camera have(i want to use it to make short films)?
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I've decided to buy a video camera but i'm clueless when it comes to knowing how it should be. I want to use it to make short films but it shouldn't be too expensive. Can you give me some articles to read to acquaintance myself with what features a good but not-exceptional video camera should have so i'll know what to look for when i buy one? thanks
Answer
(I posted this for similar question here on YA but edited some of it for you).
You did not state your budget so you may get suggestions for many camcorders. So I'll answer part of your question, what to look for.
First decide how viewers will see your work; DVD, web, etc. And you'll need an appropriate video editing program that will support the video format of your cam. Plus your computer needs to be able to handle the video format, as some formats like HD is very compressed and requires a computer with lots of proper and memory.
You may want to avoid camcorders that use a drive, like a hard disk drive (HDD) and miniDVD drive. These moving drives use more power and are subject to failure should the camera be dropped or abruptly jolted. HDD don't like high altitudes and DVD cams are difficult to edit (takes more steps, and you need a ripping program to access the actual video files on the DVD if you want to edit them). The better choice would be flash memory (internal and memory card; Dual-flash). Or even miniDV tapes.
You will want a camcorder that has an external microphone input port (many lower priced cams do not, except the $99.00 Kodak Zi8 pocket cam). Using a good quality mic will make the audio of your video projects more appeasing. Good audio is more important than the video imagery.
You may want a cam with manual focus. Although many consumer-grade cams do a good job of auto-focus, they don't do well if you are trying to pin-point a subject within objects such as tree branches, crowds of people, etc. It's much easier to 'lock' focus on the subject.
LCD screen and a viewfinder. A cam with a viewfinder will make it easier to manually focus, but they tend to be small (like on palm-held cams) so they can be a challenge to use. You will also want to buy an LCD shade screen. The screens are hard to see on a bright day outdoors.
Iris control is found on pro-sumer cams; it controls the aperture of your lens. Many cams come with presets, but it's nice to control the iris manually.
Shutter control is also important. Most shutter speeds are set based on the frames-per-second that you set your camera at, like 30fps or 60fps for example. But it's nice to be able to go lower or higher and still keep the cam set at 30fps or 60fsp.
Threaded lens for filters or lens adapters. Some cams don't have a threaded lens for adding a filter or a wide-angle lens.
Accessory shoe. Some cams don't have a shoe to mount a light or a mic on top of the cam. But you can use under-camera brackets.
Low Lux. This may or may not be the biggest factor to you when choosing a camera because most small consumer-grade cams have such small sensors and lenses that these cameras don't do real well in low light. Video likes lots of light so keep that in mind.
There are many articles on the net on how to choose a camcorder but many are several years old. The link below is a from 2010:
(I posted this for similar question here on YA but edited some of it for you).
You did not state your budget so you may get suggestions for many camcorders. So I'll answer part of your question, what to look for.
First decide how viewers will see your work; DVD, web, etc. And you'll need an appropriate video editing program that will support the video format of your cam. Plus your computer needs to be able to handle the video format, as some formats like HD is very compressed and requires a computer with lots of proper and memory.
You may want to avoid camcorders that use a drive, like a hard disk drive (HDD) and miniDVD drive. These moving drives use more power and are subject to failure should the camera be dropped or abruptly jolted. HDD don't like high altitudes and DVD cams are difficult to edit (takes more steps, and you need a ripping program to access the actual video files on the DVD if you want to edit them). The better choice would be flash memory (internal and memory card; Dual-flash). Or even miniDV tapes.
You will want a camcorder that has an external microphone input port (many lower priced cams do not, except the $99.00 Kodak Zi8 pocket cam). Using a good quality mic will make the audio of your video projects more appeasing. Good audio is more important than the video imagery.
You may want a cam with manual focus. Although many consumer-grade cams do a good job of auto-focus, they don't do well if you are trying to pin-point a subject within objects such as tree branches, crowds of people, etc. It's much easier to 'lock' focus on the subject.
LCD screen and a viewfinder. A cam with a viewfinder will make it easier to manually focus, but they tend to be small (like on palm-held cams) so they can be a challenge to use. You will also want to buy an LCD shade screen. The screens are hard to see on a bright day outdoors.
Iris control is found on pro-sumer cams; it controls the aperture of your lens. Many cams come with presets, but it's nice to control the iris manually.
Shutter control is also important. Most shutter speeds are set based on the frames-per-second that you set your camera at, like 30fps or 60fps for example. But it's nice to be able to go lower or higher and still keep the cam set at 30fps or 60fsp.
Threaded lens for filters or lens adapters. Some cams don't have a threaded lens for adding a filter or a wide-angle lens.
Accessory shoe. Some cams don't have a shoe to mount a light or a mic on top of the cam. But you can use under-camera brackets.
Low Lux. This may or may not be the biggest factor to you when choosing a camera because most small consumer-grade cams have such small sensors and lenses that these cameras don't do real well in low light. Video likes lots of light so keep that in mind.
There are many articles on the net on how to choose a camcorder but many are several years old. The link below is a from 2010:
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