Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Canon Optura 600 - transferring MiniDV to DVD

Jan 31, 2006 2:08AM PST

Recently purchased a Canon Optura 600, love the camcorder for many reasons; lens, resolution, options, size, etc. People who have complained about the buttons and ergonomics must not be coordinated (small hands, I can understand).

I've been experimenting, transferring MiniDV to my PC through a FireWire card. After editing the footage with Pinnacle Studio 9, I then saved the file in MPEG format (Pinnacle Studio 9 has this option) in order to burn a DVD using SONIC.

After burning the DVD I played it in my sony DVD player, the footage and audio were substandard compared to footage played directly from the MiniDV.

Question, by transferring, editing and saving in MPEG format, does the footage loose significant quality or am I doing something wrong?

Also, should I attempt to save the file in MPEG-4 format, will this make a difference?

Thanks in advance.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Canon Optura 600
Jan 31, 2006 6:54AM PST

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to your question. However, since you are an Optura 600 owner, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me how you like it so far, and what other camcorders you were considering.

I am VERY close to purchasing the Optura 600 because I like the fact that it is both a good camcorder and a decent "still-camera". However, it's not cheap, and I just want to make sure I'm making a wise investment. Plus, most people are pushing the 3CCD devices these days. I would just be interested in hearing why you chose the Optura 600. Thanks!!

- Collapse -
MPEG
Jan 31, 2006 8:13AM PST

Make sure you have not selected a file size in MPEG that is meant for streaming web video. If you have chosen anything less than Full Quality, you may have selected a window size of 320 X 240, which, if burned to a DVD, would be expanded into a standard video screen of 640 X 480, thus expanding the image and degrading it horribly. I don't use Pinnacle, but MPEG has many formats in which it can be saved, so verify how you are saving it before you send it to a DVD.

- Collapse -
What do you use?
Feb 1, 2006 10:09AM PST

Any suggestions?

- Collapse -
Suggestions
Feb 2, 2006 1:18AM PST

Sorry, unfortunately I use a Mac which has everything built-in, so I can't recommend a PC program. But check through this foum. There have been some great programs recommended here (Microsoft Movie Maker, WinDV?).

Dan