# miniDV \> DVD conversion: Need Help (fast, slow, whatever)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minidv-dvd-conversion-need-help-fast-slow-whatever/461567>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 28, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minidv-dvd-conversion-need-help-fast-slow-whatever/461567 "2008-08-28T16:16:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minidv-dvd-conversion-need-help-fast-slow-whatever/461567/1 "2008-08-28T16:16:56Z")

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I have a recording on a miniDV cassette that I need to turn into a standard DVD. So I know I need a DV cable and a Firewire port. I’m assuming that a USB hub with a Firewire port is adequate. I have a DVD burner on my laptop. What I need to know is what capture/editing software I need, and if any free/open source is available that will do this. If I need to buy some expensive proprietary video editing stuff I’ll just go hassle an acquaintance who actually does this sort of thing for a living, but I’d prefer to have the capability of doing it in-house, as it were. I occasionally have to record training sessions with clients and then give them the recordings to review at their leisure.

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minidv-dvd-conversion-need-help-fast-slow-whatever/461567/2 "2008-08-28T17:28:43Z")

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[QUOTE=Gorsnak]  
I have a recording on a miniDV cassette that I need to turn into a standard DVD. So I know I need a DV cable and a Firewire port. I’m assuming that a USB hub with a Firewire port is adequate. I have a DVD burner on my laptop. What I need to know is what capture/editing software I need, and if any free/open source is available that will do this. If I need to buy some expensive proprietary video editing stuff I’ll just go hassle an acquaintance who actually does this sort of thing for a living, but I’d prefer to have the capability of doing it in-house, as it were. I occasionally have to record training sessions with clients and then give them the recordings to review at their leisure.  
[/QUOTE]

iMovie + iDvd

So, just find a friend with a Mac.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minidv-dvd-conversion-need-help-fast-slow-whatever/461567/3 "2008-08-28T17:37:50Z")

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Got one of those. If it were for personal purposes that’s what I’d do. Since this is for work, I’d prefer not to impose on a friend. However, I’ve been looking and my laptop has some OEM software (Cyberlink PowerProducer) that appears to do what is required, which just leaves me needing to obtain a firewire port.