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Welcome to the digital age

My first step was to transfer the video from the VHS tape to my computer. Because the video was on an old VHS tape instead of a newer digital video (DV) tape, I had to use a workaround to get the video onto my computer. My solution was to connect my DV camera to both my VCR and my computer. This way, I could import the video from the VCR through the DV camera to my computer using the Import Video feature in Windows Vista. (This process is sometimes called analog-to-digital conversion.) To learn more, see Import analog video to your computer by using a DV camera. 

The time it takes to connect the different devices and import the video depends on how your computer and video equipment are set up at home, as well as the amount of video you want to import to your computer. For me, the process took about three hours.

As the video was being imported, I was able to see my parents when they were younger—in classic '60s and '70s style. Along with the fun of getting to see a time when plaid was really in style, watching the video was practical too. I wrote down the times (displayed next to Video imported in Import Video) when my parents appeared, so that I could find these parts quickly when editing the video in Windows Movie Maker. Noting key times is an easy way to help you find the video clips later on and speed up the video editing process.

Write down the Video imported time for the video clips you want to edit

From two hours to twenty minutes

First, I needed to import the video file into Windows Movie Maker (you will not need to do this if you start Import Video from within Windows Movie Maker). Next, looking at the times I wrote down earlier, I quickly found the first video scene that I wanted to include on the DVD. I split the video two times in the collections area—once at the beginning of the scene and again at the end of the scene—to isolate the video clip that showed my Dad fishing in Canada.

Though I split the video clips myself, Windows Movie Maker can automatically create clips for you. To learn more about how to split clips , see Work with clips in Windows Movie Makers.

The highlighted video clip is the first video scene included on the DVD

Use collections folders to help organize and find your clips in Windows Movie Maker. To learn more about the different features used in Windows Movie Maker, refer to the See also list at the end of the column.

The storyboard for the first project shows the title and first video scene

Save yourself some time by using my first Windows Movie Maker project. After isolating the video clip for the second scene, open the first project, replace the existing video clip with the new one, edit the title text, add a transition, and then add a Fade Out effect to the video before saving the project with a new name.

Using the first project to create the second project

A burning issue

Go to Windows DVD Maker (a feature available in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate), and add the Windows Movie Maker project files that will now appear as scenes on the DVD.

Customise the DVD menu (by using the pictures that I took in Windows Movie Maker) and the menu text, and add quick notes to the DVD. If you want to learn more about using these options in Windows DVD Maker, see Burn a DVD Video disc. 

A preview of the customised DVD menu in Windows DVD Maker

The final touch

Use Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 to make a DVD label and jewel case cover and add adhesive label and jewel case cover on regular paper using photo printer.

The final DVD with the label and cover

Note that Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 has been discontinued, but you still might be able to find it in stores or online. The good news is that there are lots of other graphics editing and DVD/CD label making software programs available. To find some of these programs, go to the Windows Marketplace website.