Sometimes it doesn't make sense to buy a Ferrari when a VW would be just fine. Using VMS to splice together a simple family video is overkill, and requires way more learning than is necessary to do the task. If all you want to do is put together simple videos you may want to consider an easier tool, like Nerovision, or something like that. VMS has a steep learning curve, and while the results are worth it for people who want to use all the bells and whistles, it is really way too much for somebody wanting to do casual editing.

I have seen various discussions about the quality of blank DVD media. Unfortunately, I don't recall where. If you really want to know, do a bit of searching of the internet. One place you could start is http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html

While I'm sure that the Sony people would be gratified to see your brand loyalty, I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about compatibility of products. In general, most things work well together. If you really are concerned about it, then buy an Apple.

VMS has a steep learning curve, and while the results are worth it for people who want to use all the bells and whistles, it is really way too much for somebody wanting to do casual editing.

I gotta admit, that statement throws me for a serious loop. Having taught 4th graders to use VMS, producing a 20 minute long movie with the kids, and done it all in 10 school days, I'd have to argue that of all the applications out there, VMS is currently the most intuitive to computer users.
As far as learning VMS, there is an excellent in-app help system, there are great online tutorials, there is a book on VMS, and a DVD on how to use VMS.
Regarding the camera...As Kelly mentions, DVD video is all mpeg, and it's a little difficult to deal with, but VMS does a good job with it. Just expect that DVD video will always be a little slower to edit, and a slightly lower final quality of output.

The only other product I have spent any real time using is Nerovision, and I truly feel it is simpler to use, mainly because it has far fewer options (like a single track that you simply drop things into, maybe with an optional transition). When I tinkered with Nerovision I hardly ever even clicked on "Help". With VMS I have spent considerable time learning the idiosyncrasies of manipulating events on tracks. I still get messed up with it, sometimes.

I can't deny that VMS can be learned without a lot of effort (yes, the tutorials are nice), but having dealt with lots of computer-phobes over the years, I can see how VMS would look overwhelming. Many people just want to throw some clips together and have a quick result. If you know what you are doing that can easily be accomplished with VMS, but if you have never used it before, and are faced with a manual that is 100+ pages long (the printed version, which is much smaller than the online version), then you may wonder "do I have to learn all of this?" The answer, of course, is no, but if you don't know any better, and aren't the type that gets a thrill out of learning computer stuff, then you may be inclined to give up right there, or spend more time than you should slogging thru things that you really don't need to know.

Personally, I don't think that Madison should dumb-down VMS to suit people who aren't interested in learning a more sophisticated video editing package, but I do feel there is a market for people who want to do the most basic editing, with minimal learning required.

My point is (and having experience with every NLE at every price point), it doesn't get more basic. Even iMovie is more difficult, as is MovieMaker, IMO.
If a user can't find the explorer from which to drag video from the timeline, they probably shouldn't be trying any level of video editing. My father, who is a computer moron (needs help just to open email with attachements) tried Pinnacle, MovieMaker, Nero, and even iMovie. He's 71. His 84 year old brother, who after 3 years of trying, became proficient with MovieMaker. I taught them both VMS in the course of about 15 minutes, to where they could capture, edit, and print to tape. After that, it's a phone call about once a week to answer questions about how to color in a title, or to split screens. If they can figure it out...
Drag from either Windows or Sony Explorer to timeline, trim, make movie. 3 steps. Even Nero is more difficult.
If you want to say the interface is perhaps intimidating, or the nomenclature, I'll somewhat go along with that. But the simplicity of sheer use....VMS is nowhere near as difficult as most 100.00 apps, and a lot easier than most of them, IMO.

Hello,
Thank you for the input - everything I have read gave the impression the Sony was easy to learn..I guess it will take time. I believe the nezero came with my system so I will check that out, too.
Yes, I am "only" transferring small dvd family movies onto a large dvd but I want to delete scenes that are boring (looking at floor/ceiling, etc.) - not planning on doing anything fancy right away.
My big question was whether to buy dvd-R or DVD+R and from what I have read it doesn't really matter. Hopfully, one day soon, one of the local education places will offer a movie dvd maker course.
Now I jsut have to find the spot in the manual where it tells you how to begin burning /copying a dvd...perhaps it is inthe architect manual?
Thank You again.

Just to be clear. Are you saying that Vegas Movie Studio+DVD, a Sony product and has DVD in the title, can not edit DVDs used with a Sony Handycam??!! I purchased the DVD Handycam (DCR-DVD92) for the sole purpose of "filming" and editing and to do this I purchased Vegas. I thought DVD would be the best way to go. It is too late to return it but not too late to return Vegas.

What software would you recommend for editing DVDs. I don't need the professional type. Just something to play with my "family" DVDs and have fun with the imaging and sound.

Thanks for you help in advance.

You can edit your DVDs off your camcorder. Just use the Import function (under the File menu) to copy the data from the DVD to disk. You can then edit to your heart's content.

The point made is that MiniDV tape is a prefered format for some people.

I have a Sony DVD handycam and use VMS to edit Files (dcr-dvd300). I typically use the imageMixer software that came with my cam to capture (transfer) the files to my PC via USB. THis way I do not need to finalize the dvd before I transfer. These mpeg2 files then transfer into VMS. VMS works great for editing these files. The only bad thing is that the files on the DVD camcorder are stored in a highly compressed mpeg2 format which will lose quality when editing. (this also slows down the editing process).

Give us about a week, we've got a 4 hour training course on Vegas Movie Studio coming, with emphasis on burning DVD.

Paul, i think the issue is that programs like Nerovision and MovieMaker seem simple only because they don't have any features. In the example you gave of lining up a bunch of clips on a single track, trimming & transitioning, then producing the output, you have exhaused the features of those programs. Since that's all you can do, you can't get sidetracked with other possibilities. Vegas Studio can do that same task, and do it faster and easier. The difference is that you can also do a few thousand other things as well. Human nature being what it is, when the possibilities are there, we tend to explore them. So, creating a multitrack video with compositing, titles, color correction, picture-in-picture, multiple sound tracks, fades, effects, speed changes, overlays, graphics, etc. in Vegas Studio is definately more daunting, difficult, and time consuming than laying a few clips together in Nerovision. But just because the features are there doesn't mean you have to use them.

If you want to compare Vegas Studio to Nerovision then use Vegas Studio for ONLY the things that Nerovision can do. If you want to use Vegas Studio to be creative and produce things that Nerovision can't do, then please don't compare them.

Which is simpler, a typewriter or a word processor? Well, since with a typewriter you don't have to worry about fonts, spell checkers, importing graphics, tables, mail merge, and many other things, it might seem that a typewriter is simpler. But, on the other hand, if all you do is type, then with a word processor you don't need to insert and align each sheet of paper individually, you don't have to use correction tape, you don't have to use the carriage return, you don't even have to keep track of how long your line is. So if you use a word processor the way you use a typewriter it is simpler. Same thing with Vegas Studio ... it does what Nerovision does easier and simpler, and it offers much in addition to that.

We also use Vegas Movie studio with elementary students, grades 4 and 5. It's also used in the middle school. It's not as easy as iMovie but it's not that hard.

I'm so interested it this. I've spent two days troubleshooting a DVD burn from Movie Studio to DVD architect.

I'm as new as you can get at this stuff too. I was overwhelmed for about an hour and then started fiddling with everything and I love this system. If I can do it, anyone can, 'cause for me, computers are not "user friendly". I think you will really like the VMS once you spend just a little time with it. Good luck and have fun!