TUTORIAL:  
How To Capture DV .AVI Files From A Mini DV (or Digital 8) Camcorder Using Ulead VideoStudio 7.01
   
Editor's note: Ulead VideoStudio 7 user Jerry Jones has provided us with several tutorials on Ulead VideoStudio 7. We thank Mr. Jones for sharing his tutorials with us.

Beginners often send me e-mails requesting help with their first efforts to capture video from digital camcorders and author DVD discs. So I’ve written two basic tutorials for those just getting started. The first tutorial explains how to capture video from a digital camcorder using Ulead VideoStudio 7.01. The second tutorial explains how to use the DVD authoring module of Ulead VideoStudio 7.01 to record your video to a DVD-R (or DVD-RW) disc.[an error occurred while processing this directive] With An OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Card

For step one, connect the smaller end of your Firewire cable to the IEEE 1394 terminal of your digital camcorder.



Connect the larger end of the cable to the OHCI compliant IEEE 1394 terminal of your computer. If your computer doesn't already have such a terminal, install an IEEE 1394 PCI card such as the ADS Pyro. Turn your camcorder on and open Ulead VideoStudio 7.01.



This easy-to-use interface allows for video capture from Digital 8 and Mini DV camcorders. VideoStudio is recommended for beginners and home video enthusiasts. VideoStudio is also an excellent choice for those who plan to develop their editing skills and later upgrade to Ulead's more advanced MediaStudio Pro application. Entry-level camcorders such as those of the Canon ZR series work well for home video editing.

For step two, click FILE > SELECT DEVICE CONTROL to make sure the MS1394 DEVICE CONTROL option is selected from the current device drop-down list.



For step three, click FILE > CHANGE CAPTURE PLUG-IN to make sure the Ulead DirectShow Capture Plug-in option is selected from the current capture plug-in drop-down list.



For step four, click FILE > PROJECT PROPERTIES and adjust your VideoStudio project settings by choosing Microsoft AVI files from the edit file format drop-down list and by clicking the EDIT button when the following pop-up menu appears.



I suggest you adjust your VideoStudio project settings as follows:

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
Microsoft AVI files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Field Order A
DV Video Encoder -- type 1
DV Audio -- NTSC, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

For step five, click FILE > SAVE AS and save your VideoStudio project as a .VSP (VideoStudio Project) file. Save the file to a folder on one of your computer's hard disks. Remember to save at regular intervals as you make progress on your video editing project. It's also a good idea to save a second and even a third copy of your project from time to time. The screen shot below shows that I have saved three project file copies named Sample 1, Sample 2, and Sample 3. While this latter step is optional, it can spare you from those extremely rare circumstances when your original project file might become corrupted. I have never personally run into this situation. However, it is comforting to know that I have a second or third opportunity to recover my project in the event something does go wrong.



For step six, make certain you have adjusted your preferences as desired. Click FILE > PREFERENCES and the following menu should appear. Click the PREVIEW tab.



If you have only one hard drive in your computer, specify a folder on your C: (system) drive where preview files can be stored. If you are an enthusiast with multiple computer hard drives, then you should specify that your preview files be stored in a drive other than your C: (system) drive. In the example above, I have specified that preview files be stored in drive D: in a folder named PREVIEW FILES.

For step seven, click the CAPTURE tab and choose the preferences options that suit your individual needs.



For step eight, click the QUALITY & DURATION tab and choose the options that suit your individual needs.



For step nine, click the GENERAL tab and choose the options that suit your individual needs.



For step ten, click the CAPTURE step button at the top of the interface.



Check the SPLIT BY SCENE box if you wish your captured clips to be separated into individual files corresponding to each scene on your Mini DV tape. Click the OPTIONS button and then click DV TYPE to choose either type-1 or type-2 DV capture. I recommend type-1 for most users because Microsoft's Web site indicates type-1 DV requires slightly less processing.



To begin capturing your video, click the CAPTURE VIDEO button. The software will control your camcorder via the Firewire connection and the video/audio data recorded on the tape in your digital camcorder will be transferred to the CAPTURE FOLDER you have designated on the hard drive of your choice. This is a lossless transfer of data. The quality of the video captured via Firewire to your hard drive will be identical to the quality of the video recorded on the tape in your DV camcorder. At this point, you'll realize that the buttons below the Ulead VideoStudio preview window work in similar fashion to the buttons on your home VCR. Using your mouse, you can click the buttons and control your digital camcorder by clicking on the PAUSE, PLAY CLIP, FORWARD and REWIND buttons. This type of device control is a key advantage of working with digital camcorders and Firewire.



The captured DV .avi file will have the following properties:

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
Microsoft AVI files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Field Order A
DV Video Encoder -- type 1
DV Audio -- NTSC, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

Note that the captured video's properties match the properties of your project settings. As a result, you will be able to take full advantage of Ulead Smart Render technology, which confines rendering only to segments of the timeline where titles, transitions, or filters are added. This helps to preserve the quality of the original video.

Source: Jerry Jones
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