Converting MiniDV to DVD via PC

[Ray Singh]

I bought a Mini DV camcorder about 7 years ago to capture my childrens early years.
Ive now amassed quite a few miniDV tapes that i would like to archive onto DVD - both for ease of watching and i guess that DVDs will last longer than magnetic tape.

Keeping in mind i am a complete novice - what is the easiest way to do this so i can play the DVD on a standard home DVD player?

My JVC camera has a Firewire out and i have borrowed a laptop with firewire in. The laptop also has a DVD burner.

Do i need some SW or will windows do this?

[GetCarter]

If you are on VISTA then you can grab the footage from the camera in Windows movie Maker and burn it to DVD with Windows DVD maker. They are both on your 'puter.

It's even easier on a Mac!

[Ray Singh]

Alas, XP service pack 3.....

Its my work PC so its only running old (apparently) secure SW.

[GetCarter]

You'll still have Windows Movie Maker... not sure if it'll burn to DVD though.. worth a check.

[S47]

Having previously been a keen videographer of Rock concerts ie a [Bootlegger]
I've been through all the PC solutions - believe me the simplest & easiest solution to converting any old tape video footage, is to buy a standalone DVD recorder and connect your camcorder to the DV/AV in port on the DVD recorder press play on the camcorder and record on the DVD. once the footage is on a DVD the world is your oyster- sorted