Codec Issues Lead To Many Questions...Can Someone Please Help?

[Guest]

I have been attempting to edit my 1st movie w/ WMM 2.1...I believe the
source of my frustration is the fact that I own a Sony Handycam (Analog)
camcorder and have lots of hi8 tapes that I have been trying to convert to
digital files and import into WMM.
I've been told that the only programs (already installed) that allow
me to capture from an analog device are Sony Click To DVD & MS Media Center
2002. That being said after capturing video in Media Center I have imported
the .dvr-ms file into Sony DVGate and converted the files into any of the
following:

..avi (1 or 2), mpg, mpeg (1 or 2)

Regardless of which format I use when I attempt to import into WMM I get
the same error message : "The file C:\Documents and Settings\Eugene\My
Documents\My Videos\Lets Get It Together-001-01.avi cannot be imported
because the codec required to play the file is not installed on your
computer. If you have already tried to download and install the codec, close
and restart Windows Movie Maker, and then try to import the file again."

My attempts to id this codec and ensure I have it have failed
miserably...considering I've used DVGate to convert all files being imported
I assume it's a compatability issue between WMM and DVGate. I checked
Tools>Options>Compatability and the Sony DV Video Decoder is present. I have
read the vast majority of posts in this site to no avail...I am aware that
many of my problems would be remedied by doing one of 2 things:

1. buying a digital camcorder
or
2. Purchasing a costly DVD authoring program (like Ulead MF)

The other suggestion I have considered is purchasing an analog to digital
converter (which I know nothing about) I figure I should be able to use the
program my PC came with...I know I have asked alot of questions here but any
assistance as to what direction I should take would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry about length just wanted to maek sure I get my point accross!

Thanks
Geno1

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

I have a SonyHi8 that I now capture via my digital camcorder, but before
that, it captured fine directly into Movie Maker by using a Dazzle 80
device... which I purchased for $30 after rebate. Check the Analog Video
Capture section of my www.papajohn.org website for some of the analog
capture devices being used, and comments about them. Just be sure you don't
get a device that captures to MPEG-2 or you'll be in the same situation
you're in now.

--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 and Photo Story 3 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org
..

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info...so in your opinion I should purchase a media converter
such as the Dazzle 80 as opposed to purchasing a new camera or a software
suite? Why not MPEG-2? Doesn't WWM support that format? Finally, will I
experience sync issues that everyone is talking abut here?

Thanks PapaJohn you da man!

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

If a digital camcorder is on the horizon, I'd apply the money toward it....
maybe borrow one from a friend for a while. The quality of the capture is
better. A digital8 is a good camcorder option unless your Hi8 and the
digital one you get has an S-video connection.

In the beginning, it was thought MM2 would import MPEG-2 if you found the
perfect codec... but the chances of it working are so slim that the
conversion route to AVI is best... I now convert them to DV-AVI files using
the Panasonic DV codec.

--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 and Photo Story 3 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org
..