I have run into the same problem where a 25 minutes segment will accumulate a 1-3 second lag between video and audio. Its painfully obvious during editing but I also tried burning a dvd and the lag transferred to the dvd. Exact details below but in summary, I have sent e-mail to sony with example video segments about this with no response, very disappointing. Makes me want to return my sony camcorder and go back to 15 year old VHS-C camcorder and Studio 8 software.

Audio lag details:
First, the video/audio is captured from a sony dvd201 camcorder. This camera uses a dvd format, so capturing is simply putting the mini-dvd into the dvd drive on my computer. The camera came with simple video editing software (ImageMixer) which allows conversion from the dvd format to an mpeg2 file. From Sony Vega Movie Studio 4.0, I add the mpeg2 files to the video timeline and start reviewing. Five or ten minutes into the segment (with or without editing) you start noticing a lag between video and audio. However, peaks on Movie Studio vioce track seem to be correct even though the audio player lags. I thought maybe its just a player defect so I cut a little segment and burned a dvd. The lag was on the dvd also. Then I though maybe ImageMixer was introducing the problem. I load ImageMixer and there is no lag playing from mpeg2 file or using it to burn a dvd. Finally, just to verify, I tried Windows Media Player, again no lag. Even MS was able to get this right.

Conclusion: Movie Studio is introducing the lag when it reads the mpeg2 file.

Try to convert to dv-avi before reading into MovieStudio.

Mpeg files are difficuilt for editing programs, because the files do not exist of separate frames. They have only complete frames every 3-5 frames. The frames in between are only changes from the last full-frame.
Especially when the number of full frames is relative low, editing programs will have significant problems. Only dedicated mpeg software, or expensive editors can do this better. But it is never ideal. Players won't mind this problem, only when playing backwards, you will be aware of the lack of frames.

To be very honest, I would not advise a dvd-camera for anyone who wants to do significant editing with the footage, by a dv (mini-dv, digital8, whatever)

Bart

Converting to dv-avi is not an option from the dvd format using ImageMixer, only conversion offered is to mpeg2. Rats, any editing is not really possible because Movie Studio will introduce the lag, editing or not. The only way to burn DVDs without the lag is through ImageMixer and that is not an editor by any means, string some stuff together but can't make any changes.

There are programs which may convert your MPEGs into files that can be edited (VirtualDub is one at www.virtualdub.org -- and it's free) but, if you don't want to deal with the workaround, the best strategy is to use a AV bridge to do your capture.

These "bridges" cost about $150-200 (the ADS Pyro AV bridge is excellent) are made for capturing analog video from older camcorders, but are also the best solution for capturing from DVD cams. They have a pair of AV jacks (like the kind you find on the back of your VCR) for input and then they output DV-AVI via firewire cable to your computer. Although you can't control the camcorder from the computer, as you could with a DV cam, at least you can capture editable video with a minimal effort. (Be sure you get the two-way model if you intend to also save the edited video back to your camcorder. The bottom-of-the-line model takes input but doesn't output.)

Here's a link to an ADS Pyro AV bridge:
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?ACTION=Enter&thispage=011004001501_B921960P.shtml&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!

The lag saga continues....downloaded VirtualDub, it does not touch the mpeg2 files. When you try to open a file, it reads it then quits complaining about not being able to find a frame. Called Sony Mediasoftware support line, the also suggested VirtualDub and that I remove any other media editing software. Did it, has not helped. I haven't tried the av conversion, I have a graphics card that will capture av but it seems really backwards to record in digital capture through analog to edit again in digital. Stay tuned.

I had the same problem with VirtualDub not being able to process the MPEG2 files from my JVC GZ-MC200 (which generates MPEG2 onto a 4 GB microdrive). I found a version of VirtualDub that can read these files (VirtualDub-MPEG from http://fcchandler.home.comcast.net/stable/index.html and an AC-3 ACM decompressor from http://fcchandler.home.comcast.net/AC3ACM/).

Glenn