convert mini DV tape to DVD
 

What is the best way to convert mini dv tapes to DVD disk...

Do you have to rip the tape to AVI then convert to DVD disk or is there a one step method ?

May or may not be the best but it is a one step simple quick fix to your issue....

http://www.vso-software.fr/products/convert_x_to_dvd/

A DVD does not usually have enough storage to hold the contents of a mini-DV tape at full DV resolution. And even if it did, it's not a good idea anyway if you are archiving your footage for long term storage. Tapes are better storage since they are quite robust and long lasting.

If instead you want to put the contents of a mini-DV tape on a DVD for people to watch, then that is a whole different question. In that case you have to capture the tapes to a hard drive as AVI, then edit and then encode to mpeg-2 and burn a master disk, possibly with menus, graphics etc, in a process called DVD authoring.

Each tape is only like 5 mins long.
this is not adult content, just family stuff that I want to put on DVD.

Most basic video editing software will allow you to go straight from camera to dvd. Premiere Elements is a realtively cheap solution for burning and editing.

Corel's DVD MovieFactory is another option.

if you have Vista OS, you could do it directly with their dvd software .

Otherwise, a program like TMPGenc ( http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/taw4.html )

This is what I have to rip videos and it comes with editing software. I've burnt dvds of family stuff and they came out great
Pinnacle Video Creator Plus

ok, thanks
I think we have premiere somewhere in the office...