[JASnyder]

I just got my new iMac last week and have been experimenting with iMovie. I've started importing some 8mm video using a Hollywood Dazzle DV-Bridge.

My goal is to get all of my video into digital format and then store the 8mm tapes away and use the DV files as masters for making movies, etc.

Once I've imported my video into iMovie what are my storage options? I'd like to burn these files to a CD for later reference. Can I save the "raw" video or do I need to save it as a quicktime or MPG file?

I'm planning to get a DV-camera before year-end but for now I've got about 20 hours of video of my son as a toddler that I'd like to preserve.

Thanks, Jeff

[jtc]

Since you have 20 hours of footage, saving to CDs isn't a realistic option. DV uses about 12 gigs/hour (=350 CDs). Once you get your DV cam, you can archive all the footage to tape, though at $10/60 min tape you are looking at $200.

[zigzag]

DV tape is the cheapest no-loss method. If you look around, you can find tapes for $5-6 apiece. But you still need a DV camcorder to record to them.

[erise]

If you had a DVD-R drive (I know I wish I did ) that would be the best and fairly cheap. Each disc can hold 90 minutes so you'd have to use 14!!! DVD-R discs, though.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally posted by erise:
<STRONG>If you had a DVD-R drive (I know I wish I did ) that would be the best and fairly cheap. Each disc can hold 90 minutes so you'd have to use 14!!! DVD-R discs, though.</STRONG>

Yes, you can hold 90 mins, but not of DV quality footage. I say DV 8mm tapes. I found a deal for 6$ a tape. I have like $60 bucks tied up in Smallville waiting for MPEG4.