Attention Video Experts

[Franko]

I just bought an HD camcorder, but I am a complete technical idiot where it comes to making videos. What I want to do is make DVD's without using up a bunch of space on my computer by storing video files. What is the best way to do this? Can you just get a stand alone DVD burner and burn DVD's directly from the camcorder? Or are there websites where you can upload videos non-publicly then share them with selected people? Just looking for some options.

[Pettee]

What type of Cmera? I picked one up a couple months back- Theyre awesome!

Step 1-Get a MAC!

[Franko]

It's a Canon HD camcorder.

[meirvin]

Video takes an ungodly amount of HD space to work with, The Great Texas Round up was about 15 mins worth and took 13 gigs of HD untill edited and outputed into large quicktime file.

I Imagine HD takes up even more go get you one of those exterinal drive they sell at frys for cheap to use as your video drive (Firewire only)

[gtxsc03]

Standard DVD's are not compatible with HDTV. Max picture res on a DVD is 480i, your camera is 1080i. It also downconverts and then outputs in standard def, you record that onto any DVD recorder that has a Firewire input. You would need a Blu-ray disc or HD-DVD to record the true 16:9 1080i picture that your camera produces.
Another hurdle you're going to face is editing your footage. Is your software compatible with HDTV (16:9, 1080i)? Anything HDTV takes up at least double the bandwidth and drive space as standard def.
Here's a link with more info.
http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdr...drecgfaq14.htm

[Brett541]

Step 1-Get a MAC!

you dont need a mac for making dvd's, Sony Vegas is easy to use and is a free download without a few unneeded options + you can render the files to a lower quality/size depending on the extension you use. and editing doesnt effect the main file so if you mess up the video wont be wrecked, just my 2cents.