Media Services - Frequently Asked Questions about miniDVD Camcorders
What kinds of miniDVD camcorders do you loan?
Our miniDVD camcorders are all Sony Handycam DCR-DVD301 and Sony Handycam DCR-DVD308.
For how long can I borrow a miniDVD camcorder?
The borrowing period for a miniDVD camcorder is three (3) days. The day you check it out counts as the first day, and the camcorder is due at the close of the library on the third day.
What kind of media does a miniDVD camcorder use?
Sony miniDVD camcorders use miniDVD discs, which look like small versions of DVDs.
Please note that Sony DVD+RW discs are compatible only with the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD308 camcorder. We own only one of these.
Do you give or sell media along with borrowed camcorders?
No. You need to buy your own media. You can find miniDVD discs at places like Best Buy, Staples. Target, Wal-Mart or the campus bookstore.
Can I connect a miniDVD camcorder to an LCD projector or television?
Yes. To do so, you need an RCA cable, which looks like this:
Plug one end of the cable into the color-coded ports on the LCD projector or television, which look like this:
Plug the other end of the cable into the correct port(s) on the camcorder, which looks like this:
If the camera/camcorder is playing but you cannot see the image through the projector, you may have to press the Video or in the Input button on the projector so that it seeks the right device.
What do I do when I'm done recording?
MiniDVD camcorders have a unique advantage over miniDV camcorders in that you can watch the footage almost immediately, almost anywhere.
If you want to watch your video on a regular DVD player, you need to finalize it. Once you finalize your disc, you cannot edit or add more footage to it. To finalize the disc, press the Finalize button on the camcorder:
If you need to edit your video, you will need a computer that has some sort of video editing program, like Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Final Cut Pro or Sony's proprietary ImageMixer, and a USB cable, which looks like this:
Four computers in the library basement's Media Classroom have Sony ImageMixer installed. You can use these computers to edit your footage if the room isn't in use.
