How to Transfer Video From a Security System to a DVD
By Shala Munroe
Many businesses and some homeowners use sophisticated security systems that record video from the security cameras. Some record a constant stream of video, while others record for a few seconds only at certain intervals, such as every five minutes. Most of these security systems save these videos on VHS tape or on a computer's hard drive. Transferring these files from the saved location to DVD is somewhat time consuming, but the steps are easy to follow.
From VHS
Place the VHS security tape to be copied in a VHS player. Ideally, this will be a VHS player/DVD recorder combination machine connected to a television. Place a writable DVD in the DVD tray. If using separate VHS players and DVD recorders, make sure both are hooked up to the same television before inserting the tape and DVD.
Press "Play" on the VHS player, and play the video until it reaches the point at which you would like to begin recording. Press "Pause."
Press "Record" on the DVD recorder. Press "Play" on the VHS player. Allow the video to play until it reaches the point at which you would like to stop recording. Press "Stop" on the DVD recorder.
Choose "Menu" on the DVD recorder, and select "Finish Disc," or similar wording. This will format the DVD so that it will play on any DVD player. If you don't finish the DVD, it might only play on that particular DVD recorder/player. Finishing the DVD means you cannot record more video onto it later.
From a Computer's Hard Drive
Locate the video files to be copied on the security system's computer. If it does not have a DVD burner, save the video files to be copied onto a USB drive or email them to a computer with a DVD burner.
Place a writable DVD into the DVD burner.
Convert the video files to a DVD-compatible format if necessary, such as asf, .avi, .mp2, .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv2 or .wmv. Use free converters such as Media Converter or Quick Media Converter (see Resources). If you transferred your files using a USB drive or through email, save them in a file on your desktop before converting them.
Open the DVD software of your choice, such as Windows Movie Maker, which comes packaged with Windows operating systems. In Windows Movie Maker, go to the "Movie Maker" button and choose "Import from Device."
Choose the device, most likely your computer's hard drive. Select the videos to be copied and click "Import." Wait for the import to finish.
Click on "Finish Movie" and select "Save to DVD."
Wait for the DVD to finish burning. With larger files, this could take a fairly long time, sometimes up to an hour. Look for a pop-up dialog box to appear or the DVD drive to eject the DVD when the burning is complete.
References
Tips
- Label your DVDs by date and location, if appropriate.
Writer Bio
Based outside Atlanta, Ga., Shala Munroe has been writing and copy editing since 1995. Beginning her career at newspapers such as the "Marietta Daily Journal" and the "Atlanta Business Chronicle," she most recently worked in communications and management for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. She earned a BA in communications from Jacksonville State University.