I got it just through my daughters school being listed

I have a non-HD computer and a HD hand held camcorder with a ton of footage in HD. I'm able to view the footage by connecting the camcorder to the TV, but i really want to get some of the footage onto disk.

Are there any recommended programmes out there that will convert the HD footage I have into standard definition via my PC? the camcorder footage is stored to SD card.

Yours,

Phil O'Stein

Last of the Luddites...

What?! You want to store the video on the computer? Why would you want to downgrade it to SD?

If you have an SD card, and you're computer is relatively new, you can just slot the SD card in, at which point you will be able to view the video files in Windows Explorer and save them where you like (or view them).

No need to worry about the quality of the recording.

Aye, you really need to explain your rationale behind converting to a different format.

As Enicomb says, just store the files on the PC's hard disk and view on the PC (with an appropriate media player) or transfer onto SD card to view on HDTV when required (or connect the PC to the TV). If storage space is an issue then buy an additional internal or external hard drive.

Thanks for the comments.

The situation is that I recently took my daughter to Florida and filmed things on a HD handheld. I've now been asked by both grandparents of daughter if they can have the footage on DVD so I need to get the footage onto a format that they can play through their standard DVD. I've no intention of downgrading the footage, I just want to create copies of the footage in a definition friendly to their DVD players.

Again, I can't express just how clueless I am on these matters.

do you have a recent version of Nero, Power Director or similar software package that can convert video formats? if not you could download a trial copy or look for a freeware solution. knowing the format of the footage (i.e. file extension) would help.

The only thing to worry about there is the size of the video files. If it's larger than 4.7GB (assuming it's single layer DVD) then you'd need to compress the file, if not just burn it as a playable DVD using writer software such as Nero.

Anyone know of some good laptop deals?

My Grandma is chasing one, upto £250. Obviously doesn't have to be high spec. Just dont know whether to go for something like an Advent/eMachines etc as she is only just starting her lessons. A decent refurb one under £200 would be ideal too.

Thanks in advance.

Depending on her eyesight, have a look at some of the netbooks.

I suggested a net book, she declined. Her eyesight isn't bad, uses glasses.

How can I have sent emails to people when I wasn't anywhere near the PC at the time ? Is it possible some cheeky sod was somehow snooping and then sent the emails to those in my address book ? Can anyone help me on this please ? Thanks.