Sony DCR-HC21 User Manual
Transferring Footage from the SONY DCR-HC21
The DV format video recorded by the Sony HandyCam needs to be transferred off the MiniDV tape to be edited
or viewed elsewhere. A computer is used to “capture” the video, and convert to a more readily playable format.
There are a variety of options for transferring movi e foot age fro m the Sony Handycam to a computer. T he So ny
Picture Package Software included with the camera is one option. The Video Captur ing Tool part of the
package will capture output via a USB cable and convert to AVI format, which can then be edited, converted,
and burned to DVD. Instructions for using this software are included on the CD.
Another alternative for Windows users is WinDV http://windv.mourek.cz/. WinDV is a small and eas y to use
Windows application (98SE/ME/2000/XP) for capturing videos from DV camcorders into AVI-files and for
recording AVI-files into DV devices, via FireWire (IEEE 1394) int erface (USB not supported). This software
can be downloaded for free, but has no suppo rt /help. You can find several how-to’s on line for using it.
If you would like to use Mann Library computers for conversion/editing, the following opt ions exist. The Mac
options are generally reco mmended. P lease allow adequate time for capturing and converting video. The
capture process requires video to be played/captured in real time, the editing process can be complex, and
burning DVDs can require patience. Limited assistance is available for basic overview of the steps described.
Please refer closely to this guide and the software help files. If you need help after reviewing these steps, please
submit a Mann Library consultation request form well in advan c e.
Windows (XP and Vista)
Capture Video
Export to DVD
Macintosh
Using iMovie/iDVD
Capture/Edit Video
Create/Des ign DVD
Automatic Capture/Mo vie Creation (with title, transitions, soundtr ack)
Burn Direct to DVD from Camera
Create Magic iDVD (with selected themes, co ntent and soundtrack)
Using Creation Station DVD Recorder
Windows Movie Maker (WMM)
This software comes installed with Windows XP and Vista, and provides basic tools for capturing video, simple
editing, and conversion. If you have a computer with a Firewire port (sometimes referred to as iLink or IEEE
1394), you can capture video in AVI format , which retains the full quality/resolution originally recorded. If you
use a USB cable, you only have the option of capturing in Windows Media format (w mv), a smaller co mpressed
format suitable for playback on computers but with more limited editability or re-use. The WMM help offers
detailed information on using the software.
Capturing Video (may vary depending on your configuration):
1. Make sure c a mera is fully powered (AC co r d firmly att ached or fresh charged bat tery)
2. Turn camera on and set to Play/Edit mode
3. Insert Tap e
4. Connect camera (DV port ) and computer ( Firewire pr eferably, or USB)
5. Allow computer to recognize new hard ware
6. Start Windows Movie Maker (if not offered option after connecting, start from Programs menu)
7. Select Sony DV Device for capture, click Next
8. Name your video, and location to save. Remember to use a drive that has generous amounts of space, as
each minute of video can consume 178 MB of disk space. When working on video editing projects at
Mann Library it is wise to have an exter nal hard drive to copy and move your files to and from. Click
Next.
9. Select Video Setting, click Next.
10. Designate Capture Method (entire tape automatica lly or just p arts ), cli ck Next.
If yo u selected Capture Parts, you can fast forward or rewind (hold button down) to cue, then
click Start and Stop Capture to capture clips desired. When done click Finish.
11. Save Project
You should now see the captured video in your Collections window. This file can be used/shared as is (avi
format), edited or export ed. Read the WMM help for more info.
Export Movie to DVD (playable on most standard DVD players)
Full instructions are available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/create/savetodvd.mspx.
Remember if you captured in wmv format at lower size/reso lut ion, t he p icture quality will not be very high on a
television screen. Here’s a summary:
1. In the Movie Tasks pane, under Finish Movie, click Save to my computer.
2. Provide Name and Location, click Next.
3. Movie Setting page, click Show more choices > Other settings > DV-AVI, Next.
4. You can now use DVD burning software and writer to create a DVD playable in a stand ard DVD
player. Mann Library has Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator available on its classroom PCs. Some older
DVD players can have problems playing custo m DVDs. DVD-R or DVD+R format d iscs are compat ible
with most players.
iMovie
As part of the iLife software package installed on Apple computers, iMovie provides basic tools for capturing
video, simple editing, and conversion. A computer with a Firewire port (sometimes referred to as iLink o r IEEE
1394) is required to capture video directly to iMovie. If you o nly have USB as an option, you can transfer video
to t he hard d rive then d rag a nd drop to import into iMovie. Detaile d instru ction s can be found in the iMovie
help.
Basic Steps for Capturing Video
If you want to do editing before e xport ing to movie…
1. Start iMovie. Click the iMovie icon on the dock, or fro m the Finder menu (click anywhere o n the
desktop to deselect other application menus and activate Finder), select Go>Applications, t hen double
click t he iMo v ie ico n.
2. Click Create a New Project (Note: When iMovie is launched, it may open the last movie that was
being edited. Before you begin, make sure you aren’t working on a previous project. You can start a new
one from File>New)
3. Name and select a location for your new project. Remember to use a drive that has generous amounts of
space, as each minute of video can consume 178 MB of disk space. When working on video editing
projects at Mann Library it is wise to have an external hard drive to copy and move your files to and
from.
4. Click Create. After a short wait, the empty project is created.
5. Make sure c a mera is fully powered (AC co r d firmly att ached or fresh charged bat tery)
6. Turn camera on and set to Play/Edit mode
7. Insert Tap e ( r e w ind if nec es s ary)
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