Copy Video From a Camcorder to a DVD Recorder

Many people record home videos using smartphones and digital cameras. However, if you still use a camcorder or have old 8 mm, Hi8, or miniDV videotapes tucked away in the back of drawers and closets, it's a good idea to transfer those videos to DVD.

Set Up a DVD Recorder and Record Old Videotapes

To transfer an 8 mm, Hi8, miniDV, or Digital8 tape to a DVD recorder, follow the steps below.

1. Locate the Composite or S-video connections (AV outputs) on the camcorder.

   

   Some camcorders may have a 3.5 mm mini-plug that connects to an AV cable that has a minijack on one end and RCA audio/video jacks on the other. If you don't have the one that came with the camcorder, purchase one at a local Best Buy or online. Refer to the photo example below.

   

2. Plug the camcorder directly into the DVD recorder (not the TV) using the corresponding AV connections. The DVD recorder needs to be connected to a TV so that you can monitor and playback your recording.

   The example uses standard RCA connections for audio and video connections.

   

3. Switch the DVD recorder from its tuner to the AV inputs connected to the camcorder to get the signal from those inputs to record on DVD with either an input select button on the DVD recorder's remote or front of the DVD recorder.

   

   If the DVD recorder has video inputs on the front and back, the back inputs are usually labeled Line 1, AV1, Aux1, or Video 1. The front inputs might be labeled Line 2, AV2, Aux2, or Video 2.

4. Put the tape to be copied in the camcorder. Then put a blank DVD in the DVD recorder (make sure the DVD is formatted or initialized, depending on the format used).

5. Press Play on the Camcorder, then press Record on the DVD recorder to copy the videotape.

6. When the recording is done, press Record Stop on the DVD recorder and Stop on the camcorder.

7. Depending on the disc format you use in the DVD recorder, you might need to go through a finalization step before removing the DVD from the DVD recorder. The process takes several minutes and allows the finished DVD to be playable on most standard DVD players.

8. Test the recorded DVD on more than one DVD player, if possible. If successful, continue the same process with other tapes.

The iLink or Firewire Connection Alternative

On a miniDV or Digital8 camcorder, you can use the iLink (also called Firewire, IEEE1394, or DV) interface to copy the video to a DVD recorder, provided the DVD recorder has an iLink input. Most DVD recorders have this input on the front panel, but some DVD recorders don't have an iLink interface.

If this option is available, it is preferable for copying a miniDV or Digital8 camcorder video to DVD. You need a 4-pin to 4-pin iLink cable (refer to the circled connector in the image below) to connect the miniDV or Digital8 camcorder to the DVD recorder.

After connecting the camcorder to the DVD recorder using iLink or Firewire connections, the rest of the recording steps are the same as outlined above.

Record to DVD Recorder/Hard Drive Combo Unit

If you have a DVD recorder/hard drive combo unit, you can transfer a camcorder video to the DVD recorder's hard drive first (no PC required). Once the recording copies onto the hard drive, you may be able to make changes or add titles, depending on the DVD recorder's capabilities.

After editing on the hard drive, you can then copy the completed video to DVD later. This method allows you to make multiple DVD copies (one at a time) of the camcorder video using the same source (the video stored on the DVD recorder hard drive). It ensures the same quality on each DVD copy, which is excellent for distributing DVDs to friends and family.

Below is an example of the front and rear view of a DVD/hard drive combo recorder.