I have a canon mini DV camera, and a G4. I need to get the content edited, and then I need to get it to VHS. What is the best way?

My guesss is do all the editing, import to the camera the from the camera out the SVideo port to the tv/vcr? Is this the right way. if anyone is doing this how are you doing it!

You're exactly right. An even better set up that I have in my studio is to have my firewire connection between the computer and the camera and then at the same time have RCA or S-Video out to my deck and then from my deck go directly into a TV. This will allow you to have a near profesional edit suite in your home, As you work you can see what is happening and what things look like on the TV (very important). Then when you are ready to record just press play in your time line on your computer and press record on your deck.

enjoy

What are you using to do the editing? Are you using a non-linear application, or are you doing it some other way?

I use Final Cut Pro a non-linear application. (expensive). Although any application that supports the DV format will work. You can even use Quick time Pro for $20 or iMovie will also work fine, and another is Premiere and Premierre LE.

I'm sorry Scorer, I knew you used something good from your other posts. My question was directed to mikeskuro, so that we could figure out the best way for him to accomplish his stated goal. BTW, I'm considering upgrading Adobe Premiere to the latest version, do you have any comments on that versus FCP? As to mikeskuro, please let us know whether you intend to use your computer for the editing and what app you intend to use.

I do my editing with imovie and Final Cut. I just wondered what the best way to get the content to the VHS tapes. I just don't want to get one of those sony media converters and this came up with my equiptment on the other side of the country(too bad for vacations and people who want VHS copies....)

Probably the best way is to (assuming you're using iMovie) choose File-export. Then you hook your DV camcorder to your G4's firewire port and export to the camcorder. Note there's no generational loss by doing this. Then use your camera's analog jack to connect to your VCR. That's the recommended method.

I'm rethinking that "no generation loss" thing. Try exporting the movie to your digicam, then bringing it back in to the computer, then out again to DV tape and view it. My eyes see much more noise, try it.

I'm not even sure theoretically how there would be generational loss in such a transfer. Do the ones and zeros change? Seriously though, gDay, I'd check "physical" problems, i.e. bad tape, bad connection, bad cable, and believe me, cables do make a difference. I did try your test and saw no difference. I'd love to hear more input from you with your thoughts.