when i posted my bear hunt yesterday i saw in userfile limits that you can upload mpeg image types. I converted my clip(mpeg) to WMV. Would i have had better quality uploading mpeg? If so ill repost mpeg file.

You'll loose quality every time you change it so its best to change the file only one time.
Mini dv is the most edit friendly because you edit in the camcorders native format then export to a file that fits the application.
.....wmv mpeg mpg quicktime and so on. (One change)
I think DVD camcorders are the worst because your editing an dvd mpg file. I think there made with viewing in mind, not editing and exporting. What camcorder do you use ?
If you have a dvd cam, Im not sure about your best option. No one has ever jumped in and told us the best upload option so Im assuming theres no good one.

I'm using a sony DCR-DVD108, I'm looking on buying a mini dv on ebay, are the panasonic PV-GS36 & PV-GS39 any good??

Moose.....Thank you for sharing your bear clip

If you capture in .AVI, and render in .WMV at around 1048 kbps you will have the best quality for the internet. WMV's also work best and play the smoothest here. MPEG's commonly play choppy.

while on ebay check out the sony DCR-PC 330 It is a older camera with great video quality it has 2048 actual video pixels.also check out that camera wildworks profiled here.

Theres the option !
Its the same thing I do with HD. ....If I only had a brain ! ..

I use a sony mini dvd cam, captures in .mpeg

You can change the capture file. I do it when I want to mix HD with other footage on a regular DVD.
If your using WMM, under video settings select Digital device format. ( DV-Avi ) It'll be available as your capturing.
If not, what editing program do you use ? ...Maybe someone uses the same program.

I use nero, i also have WMM but i can't import mpeg in WMM. would i be able to change capture file with nero? If so how do i do this

I have Nero 6. In Nero vision express I start the capture process. You'll see a option for capture templates. Choose DV type 1.

Thanks bowana, man it's unreal the help we can get in this site. greatfull for your help and patience. Thanks, ill go check it out!

Cool ! ...Peytons the man
I'm pretty sure you can do it with WMM too. Because your not capturing an mpeg. ( Dv or avi )

I may have a problem thow, i can only use usb cable with my cam, usualy i use disc importer that came with the cam and save to my computer, from there i import files(mpeg) into nero for editing, and then to windows media encoder to render to .wmv for upload here.

Yep, I researched the cam and it doesn't have a fire wire port. The only other thing I can think of is your disc importer. Can you change the upload or capture there.

Does any one else have some input on this subject. ...How about you Peyton ?

nope, can't change upload or capture there either, it deosn't have that feature!! bowana, you're a pretty knowlagable guy, are you familiar with Panasonic PV-GS36 & PV-GS39 mini dv's ? Are they any good?

The only thing I know about them is, there at the lower end but just about any mini dv or digital 8s gonna be a step up from where your at. ...Just my opinion.
Check out Wildworks clip about his camcorder. His didn't cost a lot and fits his needs.
I check for effective pixel count when I buy. The more pixels the better video quality but pixels cost more money. I use Sony's HC 96. 2 mega pixel video. 600.00 was 800.00
If you are mostly gonna use it here, your upload settings will determine most of the vid quality. When you start burning dvds or using a large screen TV the pixel count shows.

Hope this helps and good luck !

No, Bowana's the man! Thanks Lee for helping out when I'm gone huntin'!!

since your camera is a dvd camera.
|You only have two options maybe.
1. Can you change the settings in the camera menu to record video in avi/dv format to the dvd disk instead of mpeg-2 which is typical dvd format.then you could just put the disk into your dvd drive on your computer and copy the videos over to your hard drive and work with them from there.
2. If you cannot change the settings to record avi onto the disk.then You have a problem becuase the camera is writing your videos to the mini dvd disk in dvd format which is probably mpeg-2 . So your video has already undergone processing and compression which is a lossy process which means less video quality.then if you take that video and convert it to .wmv that works so good on this site you have lost even more quality due to more processing and compression.
I dont believe those cameras were designed with the video editor in mind.
As far as not having fire wire ,usb 2.0 should work in fact it is faster than firewire.
Why dont you just put the dvd disk from your camera into your computer dvd drive and copy the video files onto your hard drive .why mess with cables?

Thanks Payton, bowana and btguardian for you're time, patience and effort. For my next filmed hunt ill be using a mini dv cam. probably by on e bay, only have 200-300$ to play with. Any sugg. on cams would be great! thanks again guys.

The new Sony DCR-HC52 looks good to me. 40x optical zoom, $249. Click Here for Sony DCR-HC52

I researched the cam and in the specifications it said ( Format(s) Supported MPEG2 (SD) ) I think the SD is standard definition. ( avi/dv format )
If so, you need to look in the menu like btguardian said. Maybe you can record video in avi/dv format to the dvd disk.
Sure would make it easy to edit. If it works, everyone with DVD camcorders have their problem solved. Providing they change it before filming their hunt. ...

Hey thanks again bowana, ill defenatly look into it.