I've searched, nothing really answers my question.
I use Ulead, it's prolly not the best program, but it's what I've got. I've got it set on .avi 30fps NTSC for capturing...but it comes in blurry and finishes blurry. What am I missing? Is it just the software or am I missing a setting somewhere? Is it the monitor? I have no idea.
Any suggestions would be great
Thanks.

Some things to check:

1.Does the video look "blurry" when viewed straight from the camcorder to a TV set?

2. For various reasons, video played back on a computer monitor won't look the same as it does on a TV set. Almost all of us, double-check our video on a 2nd TV/monitor so we can see what it will "really" look like.

3. You may have set your software to play/capture the video at 30fps progressive. This is will de-interlace your video - and that process can make it look "blurry".

4. When you create your final edited piece - you may need to set the software so that the final video is:

- interlaced - if it's going to be viewed on a TV set
- progressive - if it's going to be viewed on a computer monitor

5. Your software may automatically add "blur" to your video. You should find out if you need to turn this on/off.

6. Outputting your MiniDv video to a DVD will further compress the video - and that may make it look "blurrier". You may be able to change these settings to make it look more like the original video.

7. If you are outputting your MiniDV video to VHS tape or a VCD you will notice a large drop in the quality of the video - the result may also look very "blurry".

It looks blurry because the video is still interlaced, and your computer monitor is progressive, which causes the fields to not be displayed properly, hence the blurriness. When you show this on a normal TV it will most likely be crystal clear like you want it.

It can be the footage isn't in focus (sometimes hard to see on
an LCD screen/viewfinder) etc.

A few more things I can add... You are capturing DV via firewire correct? If the capture is analog, it can be a lot of other things.

Assuming DV via Firewire, try capturing with a program called "Scenalyzer"

http://www.scenalyzer.com

Free test version found there.

It will take care of settings for you, so there is pretty much no way you can import with wrong settings.

Hans Henrik

That was very helpful. You guys are awesome. Haven't quite yet even attempted to solve the problem, but I'm sure something will work now that I have an inkling.