I have to make a DVD for an audition overseas - I have friends who have just recorded themselves on a camcorder and then transferred onto their computer, but the sound quality wasn't that great. Does anyone have any bright ideas for how to make a good professional quality DVD that has both good sound and picture quality, and preferably isn't too expensive a method? Thanks!

You can connect good mikes on a well-placed stand directly to many camcorders. If not, you can record the sound separately (on a computer, or DAT, Minidisc etc) and import it in your editing program. May be a bit difficult to coordinate it, though.

After evaluating some DVD recordings sent to my workplace, some tips:
- Do NOT move the camera - have it on a stand, and place / zoom it so that you fill most of the picture. Play in a room with decent acoustics, too much echo makes it difficult to listen for.
- Pay most attention to the first 30 seconds of your DVD. 90% of all decisions are made in that time span (just like in a live audition).
- Check that your DVD can be played on old and new DVD players.
- And a good idea would be to do the job twice - make a first DVD and show it to your teacher, colleagues, little sister and mum, ask for criticism, and then a week later make the "real" one that you send.