Digital Camcorder Does Not Support Pass-Through Mode

In this case, in order to use a digital camcorder to convert your analog video, you must perform an extra step. Note that this extra step may further degrade the quality of your video.

1. Follow the instructions above through step 6.


2. Temporarily remove the connection from the digital camcorder to the computer.


3. Put a blank tape (preferably as long as the VHS tape being recorded from) in the digital camcorder and rewind to the beginning.


4. Hit play on the VCR and record on the digital camcorder.


5. The video should display on the LCD screen of the digital camcorder while it is being recorded.


6. When done, rewind the digital camcorder to the beginning of the tape.


7. Remove the connection from the VCR to the camcorder and rehook up the camcorder to the computer.


8. Hit record on the video editing software. The video should show on the screen while it is being recorded.

Edit the Video

Now that your clips are in the editing software, you can create a custom video to burn onto a DVD. All software has different features for creating the video, so you will have to read the user's manual or experiment while creating the video.

In the simplest case, if you don't want to edit the video at all by adding pictures, music, etc., just drag all of the video clips in sequence to the 'filmstrip' portion of the software (usually located near the bottom of the window). In some software programs, it is an option to automatically add the videos to the filmstrip when recording.

If you want to add pictures and music to the raw video footage, all you have to do is to drag MP3s or JPGs to the same film strip area. You may have to import them into the software first, but that is usually fairly straightforward. You can also add in DVD chapters if your software supports it.

When complete, play

Example of PC Video Editing Software

Burn the DVD

The final step in the process is to burn the movie onto a DVD for play in your DVD player.

1. Insert a blank DVD into the DVD burner. Most computer recorders purchased in the last couple of years will record both DVD -R and +R formats, but individual models may vary. If using a diffent DVD player for playback, be sure it supports the format of the recordable media by looking in your DVD player user manual. For more information the types of blank DVD media available and what's right for you, read Understanding The Different Types of Recordable DVDs.


2. Start the DVD burning software. This may be the same as the video editing software or may be a completely different program. For instance, on the Mac, iMovie is used to create the video, and iDVD, which can be launched from iMovie, is used to burn the DVD.


3. If the DVD is intended to be compatible with other players, it will need to be recorded in a specific manner. Whatever DVD recording software used should have a setting to accomplish this. Blank discs in the -R/-RW formats will need to be finalized before they will play in other players.


4. Select the 'burn' button, to begin burning the DVD. The time required to burn a DVD varies widely based on several factors including how fast your DVD burner writes to DVD, the speed of your computer, and the size of the video itself.


5. When the burn is complete, the DVD should eject.

The DVD is now ready to be played in your DVD player. Enjoy!

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