I have filmed some home movies on Sony DV tape using a sony camcorder.
 Now I would like each entire tape copied onto DVD at quality
impercepible from the original.

Ideally, this would also be in a format where I could read the DVD on
my apple and create an edited version with IMovie.

Can you provide me with the names of vendors?

Hi r2,

You can go right to the Mothership to get your Sony Digital Video tape
converted to a DVD. Sony has their own website dedicated to all of
your digital still and video needs. It is called ImageStation.
http://www.imagestation.com/

I have no affiliation with Imagestation or Sony, other than having
been a satisfied customer of this service for several years now. For
what you need, they offer a service called “Video2DVD”.
http://www.imagestation.com/shop/product/video2/

If you should be unable to access this link, you will need to sign in.
Registration is quick and free of charge, and can be accomplished
here:
http://www.imagestation.com/member/join.html?from_signin=1
Then select STORE (from the menu bar near the top of the page) and
VIDEO TRANSFER from the subsequent screen.


Here is how it works (from their website):
- Order a fulfillment kit from ImageStation specifying products
desired and quantities.   - The kit price includes all shipping and
product charges.
- We’ll mail you the kit which includes complete instructions and a
prepaid mailer for returning your tape to us.
- Fill out the order form and put your tape in the mailer.  Don’t
include payment, you’ve already taken care of that!
- Send the mailer back to us.
- In 2-3 weeks you will receive your original videotape and the Video2
products you ordered.
- It’s as simple as that!


Regarding the specifications of the DVD that they will produce for
you, their FAQ provides the following information:

“Which DVD Players will work with the Video2DVD?”

“Video2DVD will play on approximately 95% of the DVD players in
distribution. Because of differing DVD formats, a few players will not
read a Video2DVD. See below for a list of incompatible players.”

Aiwa XDD370		Panasonic DVDA110 	Sony DVPS3000
Denon DVD1500 		Panasonic DVDA120 	Sony DVPS3000TP
Go! Video DVR5000 	Panasonic DVDCV50 	Sony DVPS7000
Go! Video DVS3000 	Panasonic PV-DF2700 	Sony DVPS7000TP
Hitachi GD3000 		Philips DVD400 		Sony PVDV30
Hitachi GD5000 		Philips DVD405 		Sylvania DVL1000
Hitachi GVD305 		Philips DVD701 		Sylvania DVL100A
JVC XV1000 		Philips DVD825AT 	Toshiba SD2109
JVC XV501 		Philips DVD850 		Toshiba SD3107
JVC XVD701 		Philips DVD950 		Toshiba SD3109
Kenwood DV402 		RCA RC5910 		Toshiba SD5109
Kenwood DV403 		Sampo DVE520 		Toshiba SD6109C
KLH DVD1000 		Samsung DVD739 	Toshiba SD9000
Memorex MVD2026 	Samsung DVD839 	X-Wave B171-L9
Mitsubishi DD2000 	Samsung DVDC600 	Yamaha DVDC900
Mitsubishi DD3000 	Samsung DVD709/XAA Zenith IQDVD2300
Mitsubishi DD4001 	Sanyo DWM-360


And regarding Mac compatibility, the same FAQ states:

“For computer viewing, the Video2DVD requires a Pentium II PC, 266MHz
or higher, Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP, DVD-ROM drive, 64MB RAM, DVD
playback software, 16-bit color: 800x600 or a Macintosh running OS
9.0.4 or higher, with a generation-3 DVD-ROM* drive, 64MB RAM, DVD
playback software.”

*Generation-3 DVD-ROM: All Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White) and
PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze keyboard) DVD configurations come with a
generation-3 DVD-Rom drive. Earlier models have a generation-2 drive,
which cannot read DVD-R.


I am a Mac user, and I have a Sony digital still camera (my DV camera
is a Panasonic), and have found their site and products to be very
Mac-friendly.

Because I could not find information on what tape formats they would
accept, I contacted their technical support group, and spoke with
someone named Steve. Here is a transcript of our conversation:

Steve: Beth, you can convert tapes of different formats into DVD using
our Video2DVD service. To know the formats that can be converted you
can visit our site or if you wish I can research this for you.

Beth: He has a Sony camcorder and I believe he mentioned that he is
using Sony DV tapes.

Steve: Beth, I have researched regarding the accepted formats and we
can accept the following videotape formats for transfer: VHS, S-VHS,
VHS-C, S-VHS-C, Betamax, Betacam SP, DV (mini and full size), DVCAM
(mini and full size), Hi8, 8MM and Digital 8.

Beth: Thanks Steve. That's exactly what I needed to know.

Steve: You are most welcome. Please note that we only accept NTSC
formats and cannot process PAL or SECAM formats.


I hope that this information will prove helpful to you, r2. Good luck
on your project, and should you require any additional information on
any of the above, please do not hesitate to request a clarification.

Regards,

Beth


Search criteria:
Personal knowledge of the Sony Imagestation website.

hi, 

If you want a company that will do this transfer for you, you will
need to provide me your general location. I can find you a company
that is either near you or atleast accessible. Otherwise, you if may
want to do the transfers yourself, I can suggest you appropriate
resources needed.

Warm regards
vinods-ga