How To Export Video from SZ

Hi.A technically challenged SZ user needs help. I have the Sony HD camcorder. I have an extended trip in the future so I thought I would get a portable notebook to download video off the camcorder and burn a DVD later to play back on a standard DVD player. The SZ 220 seemed the perfect system, with good spec and weight, and sturdy build,etc. The problem is making a DVD that will play back on a regular DVD player. I keep receiving the "no disc" error or "can't read disc" when I've tried to make test videos. I even tried a device from Radio Shack that is supposed to convert VGA to video signal,which I can't get to work. I'm afraid I will have to buy another notebook with an S-Video out(shame on you, Sony, for not including this on the SZ), or maybe find a software solution to re-encode(?) the discs. Help!

 

Will the DVD play back on the SZ?

I don't understand what you are doing. S-video for importing/exporting is archaic. I use fire wire with my Powerbook. Do you have a firewire cable? Have you actually captured video via fire wire? I'm confused. I have burned many a DVD though; I do weddings and use two DV camcorders. I don't get why anyone would need s-video when the SZ has a firewire port, except to watch video from the laptop to a TV monitor. Sorry, but it makes no sense at all. You really don't need s-video to import/export video; just a firewire cable.

I have even imported video onto my litle 10.6" screen Sony T250 using their very basic video editing software via firewire. If my baby T250 can do it the SZ should be well able.

 

I'll try to explain better.I can import the video from the camcorder's HD to the laptop via what looks like a firewire cable ok. The problem comes in when trying to burn a DVD that can play back in a regular attached-to-a-TV DVD player.I don't want a DVD that can only be read by a computer. I thought an S-Video output would output to a DVD recorder/player I've used successfully in to past to burn DVD's that will play in any DVD player. Most laptops have an S-Video output, but not the SZ. When I connected the "firewire"cable from the laptop to the recorder, I get the message "no tape detected" and I can't export the video to the recorder that way. The only other alternative I've been told is via software to re-encode the files to DVD files before they will play without a computer.Any suggestions?

 

I went to the Sony web site, and guess what? Sony now sells a device that will connect directly to their hard drive camcorders and burn a DVD that will play in any standard DVD player. Coincidence? I think not. Oh well, I think this may be an easy solution to my problem. Cheaper than buying a new notebook at any rate.

 

When you mentioned HD I thought you were referring to a High Definition camcorder, not a hard drive camcorder. If what you say is true I am glad I did not purchase an SZ. I really need a laptop that will burn a DVD for my customers to use on their set top players. To me there is no point in having a DL burner when all you can do is watch your burned DVD on your laptop. Hope someone else can chime in on this subject. I still can't believe it about the SZ.

 

Oh I get it now; yeah, you need the software to edit your imported files and burn your DVD and then it will play on most any DVD player. So the SZ will burn DVD's that can be run on a set top DVD player; you just need the right software; like the Final Cut Express I use with my Powerbook only in your case PC editing/burning software.

 

sony includes software with most laptops (my sz) that will output a readable dvd. i forgot the name but if you didn't do a full clean install it's there. if not there are dozens of programs that make dvd's final cut it mac only

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I do have some DVD burning software installed on the computer, but no documentation to tell me what I need to do. Using the "burn to DVD" wizard has only produced discs like mentioned above. I guess I'll read through the tutorials, etc to see which program will do what I need.
Thanks

 

you can use Adobe Premiere Elements that was bundled w/ the VAIO SZ to rip and edit the video off the handycam and then you could export the result to the Click to DVD program to create the dvd video. alternatively Click To DVD allows you to rip the video off the handycam and burn a dvd. i kno it works for the DV handycams...not so sure about HD Handycams...

 

will elements work with hi-def video? i know imovie will but i havent plugged my hi def camera into the sz. btw i hour of hi def footage ripped to imovie is 36gb (some weird codec thing). so you wont get much into an sz. i have a terrrabyte drive plugged into my g5 mac tower