Insert the tape, card or any other camera storage device where the footage is recorded to a applicable camera or tape deck. A tape source requires either a camera or tape deck for the process. A file-based source requires a camera for the process.
Connect the camera or tape deck to the computer using FireWire or USB connection.
Do a test playback to see whether the footage is in good condition and whether the camera or tape deck is functional or compatible with the video source. Sometimes, especially for old footage in video8, Hi8, digital8 or VHS tapes, cleaning the storage device is important so that you can acquire the best quality footage for your intended DVD copy.
Cue the tape or prepare the digital files from the camera or tape deck for computer transfer.
Open the video-editing software and create a new project. Select a project name, which will also serve as the file name of your editing project. Configure the project settings and choose a folder destination for the video files to be transferred to the computer.
Determine whether the footage requires capturing or the videos in the camera are already stored as digital video files. Footage stored in a tape automatically requires capturing in real-time, while footage stored in a memory card, P2 card or disc source only requires file transfer similar to how you would transfer any file from a flash drive to the computer.
For file-based transfer, it is also possible to use the “Import” button, which is usually found under the editing project's “File” menu. From the "Browse Window" that appears, select the video files you want so that they can be readily imported to the computer.
For a tape-based transfer, start the capture process by pressing the “Camera” icon or “Capture, “Start,” “Now” or any other button referring to the start of the capture process. Take note that the button name depends on the editing program used. Once finished with capturing the footage, simply press “Stop” or “End” on the “Capture Window” or press “ESC” on the keyboard.
Locate the video files in your folder destination. Most editing programs also provide an “Import Bin” where all transferred files are placed within the editing project for easy access.
Open the video files in your DVD-burning software. Configure the settings including the DVD disc name you want to use, the number of discs you want to burn and the writing speed to be used for the process. If you have many footage to burn, make sure you separate the videos per two hours as a DVD can only accommodate up to two hours of video.
Insert the blank DVD disc for burning.
Press “Record,” “Save” or any other button referring to the confirmation of the burn process. This button’s name depends on the program used for burning the DVD. Wait until the encoding of the video and the writing to the DVD finishes. This would normally take a few minutes, depending on the files used and the length of footage for burning.