I'm thinking about buying one of the new JVC digital video cameras with either a 20 or 30G built-in hard-drive. The hard-drive will hold something like 4-7 hours of quality video.

Then when the camera's hard-drive fills up, I would down-load the video MPEG file to my laptop hard-drive. Since these files are so huge, I must save/burn the video to DVD, then erase the file from my camera and laptop hard-drive before I can shoot and store more video.

I do not like the idea of burning DVDs when inside a 3rd world country, then risk that they would be confiscated at the border as I cross. Instead, I'd like to learn how (what equipment and software I need) to encrypt and transmit video MPEG files from my laptop in a hotel room to a remote access unit (at my home) designed to upload and store any video files I send it.

Then I can return home without any significant hassles at the border. Afterwards, I can download the video and burn it to DVD or other medium for permanent storage.

Dell Computer has a device called a IP Remote Access Unit at a cost of $677. Apparently I would somehow connect to this unit's IP address using the Internet when in my hotel room down-range...with the unit on and running at home, I would instruct it to compress, upload and store my videos from the field.

I checked. There are video streaming services on the Internet...but the terms and conditions are too restrictive for my intended use. Plus, it is a tad-bit expensive....$50 per month with individual charges for downloads.

Anyway, I can imagine how these computer systems generally would work...I just do not fully understand exactly what equipment and software I would need to make this work...any help from those of you who beep and squeak?

Thanks.

AJ

When you run the files through Windows Moviemaker, they are reduced to 10% of their original size without loss. That should help manage those jumbo files.

I doubt that you'll find fast enough service to attempt to send even the reduced files. You could try sending DVDs to yourself via UPS or FedEx or something similar.

A buddy of mine mentioned something about File Transfer Protocol (FTP). With a domain name he sent a 130Mg file via the Internet to another company. He told me the rep from the other company he was working with was the true expert with the software on her system. He plans to get more details and get back with me in a week or so.

Yes, I suppose I could UPS/FedEx DVDs then risk nobody would take the extra effort to view them given customs is primarily looking for drugs heading north.

AJ

You are limited by your upload capability. My broadband in Cartagena takes around 20 minutes to upload 2 MB.