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NDBounce · Jun 9, 2006, 02:55 PM

I just recorded a 2 day conference on about 13 mini DV tapes. Almost all are 1.5hrs. When I import into iMovie it imports in real time. Is there a faster way to transfer this data onto my computer so I cam make DVD's?

If anyone knows of a quick way to import the mini DV data I would greatly appreciate it. Additionally if someone could confimr that there is no faster way to do this, I would like to know that as well so I can stop searching.

Thank you,

O
B unce!

indigoimac · Jun 9, 2006, 03:57 PM

I'm pretty sure(almost 100%) that you have to import in real-time, it sucks, I know, sorry.

MRTrauffer · Jun 9, 2006, 04:36 PM

I'll second that. MiniDV capturing must be done in real-time.

stevesnj · Jun 9, 2006, 08:35 PM

Use 'One Step DVD' in iDVD here how to do it as per iDVD's instructions

To use OneStep DVD, connect your digital video camera to your computer using a FireWire cable. Then turn on your camera and make sure it's in VCR mode.

Click OK and insert a blank disc. OneStep DVD rewinds the tape, imports your video, and burns it to a DVD.

This is assuming you have iDVD

loki74 · Jun 9, 2006, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

using a FireWire cable.

which means, straming playback, which means, realtime capture.

That won't speed up your capture process, maybe it'll get you on the way to having it on DVD a bit faster (ie less manual steps, more automation) as far as importing, I'm fairly certain you're stuck.

Recording directly to an HD is the fastest way to get footage onto an HD...

spice003 · Jun 30, 2006, 08:35 PM

i don't know if this would help you, but just my 2 cents, Works with any pro IEEE1394 camcorder

http://dv411.com/drdv5000u.html

also

http://www.videoguys.com/FireStore.html

k_munic · Jul 1, 2006, 02:26 AM

there's no faster way
miniDV tapes have to be read-out in real time

rent/borrow a second Mac, one importing, while the other DVD-ing... and vice versa

Buzz · Jul 3, 2006, 11:49 PM

I heard JVC once marketed a mini dv cam which saved to flash mem. Only problem was the cards cost $400 each.
I think they discontinued this style of camera.

Did they do any better than the tapes? Or is a hd the best method for us?

loki74 · Jul 4, 2006, 02:59 AM

Originally Posted by Buzz

I heard JVC once marketed a mini dv cam which saved to flash mem. Only problem was the cards cost $400 each.
I think they discontinued this style of camera.

Did they do any better than the tapes? Or is a hd the best method for us?

The closest thing to that I've heard of is Panny's P2 cards with their HVX200, which run a much higher pricetag, and record a very short amount of time. (Mind you, that is 1080 24p 4:2:2 footage with no GOPs, but still...)

For HD, I think the best solution is still an HD.

stevesnj · Jul 5, 2006, 09:30 PM

Sony has a hard drive camera out there...try that..its on their site

k_munic · Jul 6, 2006, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

... a hard drive camera ...

...is mainly useless with iMovie: the firewire protocol doesn't allow the remotely control of such a device; and secondly, it "records" as mp2, which needs conversion for usage in iM..

mpeg2 conversion is (automatically) supported just with HD-miniDV cameras...

iMovie is a consumer product; miniDV + firewire, that's the concept of this tiny piece software....