newb needs help...

I recently got my video camera set up to transfer all my Home movies to the computer so I can store them and burn them to DVD. Anyway I have a couple of questions:

What is the best format to transfer moviesthat will maintain a high quality? I have a Sony HandyCam that has a DV AVI out, however the files are huge.

If AVI is the best is there a way to compress the files to take up less space for storage and to burn on to a standard DVD?

I have 3 video software programs Windows Movie Maker, Pinacle Studio Plus 11 and Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11. Which would be the most recommended to use?

Thanks

Rich

 

well if you compress them they will loose quality i would recommend google searching avi compressor but with the prises of external hard drives dropping that may be a answer and for the video editor i have only used wmm and is ok for very basic editing (doesnt work with avi) but make sure you get a good burning program for free coz with wmm files you can not burn them properly with windows media player the dvd will pick it up as audio but some searching and i think you'll be set if that doesnt help say how big the files are and how big your harddrive is and will try and help and yes avi= good format for playback of avi files i use total video player