Digital Video

I got started with digital video around 2001 when I picked up a DV camera to capture and preserve some 30-40 year old 8mm film and video home movies. I picked the Canon GL1 as my primary camera and a Sony TRV240, which will play the old analog format 8mm tapes out to firewire, and also has a pass-thru mode so I can get things off VHS, if necessary.

Since then I've been playing around with iMovie and started using DV editing to make more interesting and engaging home movies. There's nothing like enjoying your family's old home movies to inspire you to lay down something for the next generation to look at. And nothing like old home movies to teach you the basic do's and don'ts of making watchable video.

Depending on the focus of your interest, there's several directions you can go from here:

• Check out info on DV cameras - if you're interested in converting old film or video tape to DVD, find out what you'll need to do it.
• Check out digital movie editing software - iMovie and Final Cut Express.
• Check out my tips on converting film to video.