Hello, I have a Sony DCR-HC40 camcorder that uses mini dvd tapes and I am looking for a SIMPLE, EASY TO USE software. I don't want do do anything fancy and would like to have a software that would take me all the way from my camcorder to the completed DVD without using multiple softwares. I would like the ability to do some minor editing. Mostly removal of unwanted portions of the video. I used MYDVD for a couple of movies and it worked good but then it got to where it would not burn the DVD. My computer operating system is Window XP Professional and I have a drive dedicated to use for the video work. I know that Windows Movie Maker is included with my operating system but it appears it will only burn to a CD not a DVD. My videos will not fit on a CD. Let me say this, I am a novice and will not progress past that point. I find the acronyms used for video, cd, dvd, etc work to be confusing. This is a once a year project for me. I don't want to invest a lot of time in learning software usage. I know that members of this board surely passed through my stage of development on their way to be very accomplished in video work. I would greatly appreciate some input and suggestions. Thanks in advance for taking time to reply.
There probably many solutions, but WinDV will capture the video to DV. You may be able to use the Microsoft Movie Maker after all. Edit your footage and do your transitions as necessary. Save it as DV, then use one of the free DVD creation programs such as DVD Flick. It's not one program, but this is a free, relatively simple solution.
You would need to inport your video into your computer as mpeg2, from there you can use videoredotvsuite to edit (frame accurate) and convert your video into a dvd. Videoredo is quick, it won't take hours like all the other programs I have used. Theres also womble MPEG Video Wizard DVD, which can edit mpeg2 files and convert to dvd. The software that came with your camera can probably import it to your computer as mpeg2.