minidv tape to a dvd

[Stephen Mann]

Not if you want to view it on a DVD player. The DVD player requires an MPEG-2 file to play which means the file fro the camera has to be encoded to MPEG from whatever format the camera records in.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Joe Parker]

Of course, if you do this a lot you’ll want to just buy a standalone DVD recorder. Refurb units are under $125 USD.

[Paul Gilmore]

you say of course… however you don’t tell me how?
this is just a one time thing…

[Joe Parker]

There’s not much to say about “how”. You just hook the output of your camcorder to the input of the DVD recorder and press Play and Record.

Some recorders even have firewire inputs if you’re really particular, but the composite inputs should be fine.

Here’s a couple refurb units for <$75 shipped: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0009OAP34/ref=dp_olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&qid=1251380306&sr=1-17&condition=refurbished
You can probably find a better deal if you look. But I dunno. If I was only doing this once, I’d probably just capture it.

[Joel Servetz]

There are any number of consumer level dvd recorders, some as combo vhs/dvd recorders, that have firewire inputs. Sony, Panasonic and JVC all have these units, some under $200.00 for the combos, especially useful if you want to also convert old vhs and s-vhs tapes to dvd. They’re all plug and play, that simple. You can even set simple chapters with short names. One more thing, if you buy a combo unit and used to shoot s-vhs, make sure the unit you buy has SQPB (S-Quasi Play Back) capability. Best place to look is bhphoto.com