Getting footage from DVD cams
 

Does anyone know how to get footage directly from the new sony handycam DVD dics ?

I need to access hours of footage that was shot with one of those new cams but I don't have constant access to the cam itself.

Is there anyway I can just insert the small DVD's into my mac (FCP HD / QT6PRO) and grab the digital files direct, or do I need to connect the mini DVD camera to a mini DV camera and do a very time comsuming tape dump ?

cheers

If you have a PC handy, a good workflow (there are acually no good work flows for DVD cams) is; Dump DVD vobs directly to hard drive, download ImToo DVD ripper. When selecting to convert your vobs to mpeg or divx or what ever, you have to mess around with the input and output parameters. Don't worry if this sounds scary as it's not becuse it is all through an intuitive GUI (graphical) interface. Make sure the output is AVI or mpeg (use AVI) with the correct DV frame size for your country, the best codec I have used is Indeo 5.1, it's even better than Divex 6. Good luck. NB The quality is slightly reduced. Search google for a mac "vob converter" or dvd ripper or similar if you can only use your mac.

Ainslie Davies - www.duality-productions.com

thanks
 

Thanks Ainslie for your help. I found DVDxDV software from your advice.

I just have never had any contact with these small DVD discs and wasn't sure if they were just like a standard DVD ie vob files (mpeg format) or whether sony had created there own format that also might have a propriety protection system on it.

will give DVDxDV a go !

so thanks

ps. I liked the design of the banner on your site

I couldn't get my HP laptop to read the disc (I don't think it was finalized) so I ended up playing out via composite cables to my DV camera and recorded it (could do passthru as well), then captured via premiere.

?
 

Hey Kevin,

What does finalised mean?

My guess is that the person didn't finalize the dvd disc, therefore my laptop couldn't it. I've heard that if the disc isn't finalized than it will not be playable on a settop player. Essentially it is closing out the disc.