MiniDV video camera questions

Project86

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2002
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I've had my MiniDC cam for a while (Panasonic PV-GS35, I love it), and have been burning my video straight to DVD using my standalone DVD player/recorder (Panasonic DMR-ES20K). I just decided to try some video editing, since a lot of the footage I end up with is of my 9 month old son doing nothing.

When I import it, everything works flawlessly. But then I notice that a 60min tape turned into almost 13GB worth of video! I'm wondering what the difference is, as far as the tripling of size. Is there a format that I need to convert it to or what? Because even if I go dual layer, I'll need to trim a bunch down before I burn it. Plus I'm just curious about the process...

Thanks!
 

SketchMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 23, 2005
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When you are using your DVD burner it encodes the video into Mpeg2-like format, giving you just as good of an image without taking up a lot of space. That?s why you could fit an hour of video onto a DVD.

When you put it onto a Computer it copies bit-for-bit what is on the tape, no encoding. That?s why it takes up ALOT more room.

If you have the software on your computer that lets you make and burn DVDs it will encode the footage for you when you tell it to make a DVD, allowing you to enjoy all those cute baby videos. :)
 

Project86

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2002
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3
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Originally posted by: SketchMaster


If you have the software on your computer that lets you make and burn DVDs it will encode the footage for you when you tell it to make a DVD, allowing you to enjoy all those cute baby videos. :)


I just use Nero, is that gonna do it for me?