How do I download videos from my digital camera and then burn them to DVD disc?
The first order of business is to get the videos from your camera and onto your computer. From there, you’ll need to burn to DVD, assuming that you have a DVD burner of course. So, let’s start with the transfer process.
Downloading Videos from Digital Cameras
If you have a standard digital camera with video capabilities, the process will be similar to downloading your photos. Digital cameras save video clips as files, often with the .mpg file extension. So, if you normally transfer your photos by connecting your digital camera to your computer using a USB cable and importing them using Windows Explorer, you’d use the same process to transfer the video files. Likewise, if your computer has a memory card reader, you’d simply insert the memory card into the reader and copy and paste your files into a folder on your hard drive. In addition, your camera may have come with software for importing files.
I find that using Windows to import files is the easiest. In my case, my camera uses a Sony Memory Stick and my laptop has a compatible card reader built right in. I simply insert the stick and the Auto Play wizard appears offering me several import choices. I usually select “Import Pictures Using Windows.” If you chose this option, be sure to click the Options link which will give you options such as: Prompt for tag on import, always erase after importing, rotate pictures on import, and Open Photo Gallery after import.
If the Auto Play / Import Pictures Using Windows box doesn’t appear, you can manually launch Windows Photo Gallery, which is built into Windows Vista, and use the File > Import from Scanner or Camera option. Select Import Photos and Videos, choose your camera, and click Import.
Burning the Videos to DVD
Once you have the videos on your computer, the next step is to burn them to DVD. Of course, you may want to view the videos first for quality and content as well as consider editing them. While I have used several third party video editing programs, the built-in Windows Movie Maker works just fine for basic editing and DVD burning. You can use it to edit your videos, add titles, add transitions, add music, and other effects.
Once you’ve fine-tuned your video, you can use Movie Maker to “publish” it. In this case, you want to burn it to DVD, so go ahead and save your work and then choose Publish to > DVD in the Task Pane. This will launch another built-in program, Windows DVD maker. Select your project from the list, select your DVD drive letter, and click the Options link for further options. Here you can change the playback settings, aspect ratio, and television format (PAL or NTSC).
In addition, you can choose the DVD burner speed. I recommend choosing the slowest speed possible for best results. In fact, when you’re editing videos, I recommend closing everything running on your computer with the exception of essential programs like your computer security products. Video editing requires massive amounts of system resources and when resources are in low supply, noticeable glitches appear in the video or the burning can fail.
Once you’ve made your selections, click the Next button and create the DVD’s menu (if you opted for a menu earlier). Click the Burn button to burn your video to a blank DVD.
If you have a pre-Vista computer, you may need to invest in software. In general, after importing your video files, you can use a disc burning program like Nero to create a DVD. Make sure that you choose a video format, not a data format if you use a disc burning program.
