camcorder: Samsung sc-dc173U.How to upload?

[taximomfor4]

I just got this camcorder a few days ago, and used for the first time yesterday. Today, I have wasted the ENTIRE day trying to upload video from the DVD to my computer. HOW on earth do you do this? The file extensions are apparently not recognized by my computer as video. I downloaded the programs on the CDROM, and also went to Samsungs site and downloaded all the software they have there, thinking maybe it was more updated.

This is soooo frustrating. If I knew this would be impossible, I'd have kept my perfectly good 8mm camcorder.

 

[Towncrier]

I looked up that particular camcorder and it appears that it records directly to mini-DVDs. Your computer would need to be able to play DVDs in order to watch the programs that you have recorded. You might try checking out www.videohelp.com for some ideas for copying the videos to your computer and editting them. Can I assume that you have a DVD burner on your PC? You need software that recognizes MPEG-2 type files. Typically they have the extension ".vob". Burning the VOB files directly to a CD-R won't do you much good. Did the camera come with Nero or some other video editting software? You will need some sort of video editting software unless all you want to do is view the mini-DVDs. Have you tried playing them in a regular DVD player attached to a TV?

Now I've gone and done it. Asked more questions that I've answered. Good luck with the new camcorder. I'm sure that you'll be able to figure it out.

 

[Towncrier]

I downloaded the user manual for your camcorder. As I feared, the camcorder basically creates a DVD. A quick check of the videohelp website that I mentioned earlier laments the fact that editting the content created by DVD camcorders is not an easy task. The simplest solution is to use a DVD burner in your PC to make copies of the video that you have taken (if you need copies).

The mini-DVD should have a folder labeled "VIDEO_TS" which contains all of the files that you need to view your videos on a PC. You will need PowerDVD, Nero Show Time, or some other program that is capable of playing DVDs in order to view the videos. In the case of Nero Show Time, you can open the VIDEO_TS folder (once you have copied it to your PC) and you should be presented with the same menu that you would see if you were to put the mini-DVD into a regular DVD player.

There are several "how to" guides on videohelp.com that may help with your understanding of the process if you are willing to dig in and get your hands dirty with the various ins and outs of DVD video editting.

That's about all that I can tell you. At the very least, you should be able to watch your videos on a regular DVD player without needing to have the camcorder present. That should be an improvement over having to drag out the 8mm camcorder and hooking it up to your TV.

 

[taximomfor4]

OP here. After 8 HOURS of sitting at this computer, including 2 hrs on the phone to ever-increasing levels of techie at Samsung, I have to stop trying. I now have more downloaded programs on my computer than I ever thought possible. At best, I can get a teensy weensy millisecond clip to import. Great.

I am thinking of returning this camcorder and getting one that records to itself. That should just hook right up to the computer, and upload right away.

If I burn this miniDVD onto a DVD, that one will be converted for me? That's all I need done. To AVI or something, apparently. I can play the miniDVD without a problem, but since VIsta won't rcognize the camcorder via USB, using the DVD is the only hope. Oh, and yes I have a DVD Burner in this computer.

 

[romymichelle21]

We have a Sony DCR-SR200 that records directly to it's own hard drive - we love it and it's really simple to use & upload. (I've put several videos of my niece on YouTube for my brother, as well).

The quality of the video and still photos is great.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in

 

[Towncrier]

The difference between the Sony and the Samsung is that you cannot remove the media from the Sony camcorder, so you are able to download the video to a PC for editting. This allows you to select what type of video to create (WMV, AVI, DVD). Since the Samsung does not rely on having to download videos into a PC via Firewire or USB, the format is one which can be readily played on a consumer DVD player. In some ways this is more handy in that you don't require a PC in order to make a DVD. But it also limits the flexibility provided by being able to download the "raw" digital video stream to the PC.

 

[taximomfor4]

The difference between the Sony and the Samsung is that you cannot remove the media from the Sony camcorder, so you are able to download the video to a PC for editting. This allows you to select what type of video to create (WMV, AVI, DVD). Since the Samsung does not rely on having to download videos into a PC via Firewire or USB, the format is one which can be readily played on a consumer DVD player. In some ways this is more handy in that you don't require a PC in order to make a DVD. But it also limits the flexibility provided by being able to download the "raw" digital video stream to the PC.

So I can get the Sony, which records onto its hard drive, and burn THAT to DVD's right?

Is there big loss of quality in the video, doing that?

Beth

 

[romymichelle21]

So I can get the Sony, which records onto its hard drive, and burn THAT to DVD's right?

Is there big loss of quality in the video, doing that?

Beth

Personally - we haven't burned anything to DVD yet. As we mostly use it to send videos to a family member, it's easier for us to put them on YouTube.

But yes, they will burn to DVD, as for the quality - I can't say yet.

You could check out the reviews on Amazon and see if anyone has mentioned it, though Sony DCR-SR200.

 

[Towncrier]

So I can get the Sony, which records onto its hard drive, and burn THAT to DVD's right?

Is there big loss of quality in the video, doing that?

Beth

Should be about the same quality as the mini-DVDs from your current camcorder. The only difference is that you will be able to edit your video much more easily before converting it to DVD format.