MiniDV to DVD poor quality

I just bought a Sony DCR-HC42 and am having problems with encoding and buring onto a DVD.
The video plays perfectly when i connect the camera to the TV.

When I try to capture (with either the included software or Nero) it appears fine, but looks grainy when burned to a DVD+R.

I am using a Dell 3.0Gz pentium, capturing to a external maxtor NSTF formatted drive, (never had a dropped frame), 1.5G Ram, NEC-1100 DVD +r/+rw. (works fine with other dvd's)

I would appreciate any help.
Thanks

 

You are probably burning at two low of a bitrate. What type of file is it and what program are you using to burn?

 

Thanks for the reply.
I am using Nero express 3. The setting when I capture is


File Type: MPEG-2
Video Mode : NTSC (29.97fps)
Aspect Ratio : 16:9 720 x 480 pixels

Is there any other info that may help you figure this out?
-Dave

 

How long is the file you are trying to burn? If its more than 3-4 hours, it might be that you are letting Nero automatically reduce the quality to fit on a DVD.

 

i am only testing it so the longest is about 5 minutes of video.
-dave

 

I just got a firewire cable, and now it is recording as DV Type 1. I am not sure what that is, but it seems to be about the same.

Is there a better capture program, like the one that came with windows? or a better buring program that may help?

Where do i find the bitrate?
-Dave