Camcorder to PC

MartialArtMan

How do I transfer the footage from my Mini DV camcorder onto my computer? Thanks :beer:

Domokun

I need to know a model of your camcorder in order to know which outputs it has. What is your budget for the job, and how confident you are in installing new hardware to your computer?

roddydogs

Does the Comp have a "Firewire" input?(not a USB) Sony call this a smartlink

JoeA81

As has been said, all MiniDV cams I have come across link to the computer via a firewire cable (which should have come with the camcorder), so you will need a firewire port in the back (or front!) of your PC.

You will also need software to capture the video from your cam and save it to the hard drive.

MartialArtMan

I think I've found the firewire port on the back of my PC (it looks like the google images I found anyway). It doesn't look as though I got a firewire lead with the camcorder though but I did get a USB lead. My camcorder is a JVC GR-DF470EK.

I'm quite confident installing new hardware or software. My budget!? What budget

alanwjones

You're camcorder does have a firewire connector, you might see it refered to as a ieee1394 connector, It'll look like the one on your pc but much smaller, a 6pin and a 4 pin see
HERE
FIREWIRE CABLES

weegie.geek

The USB lead will be for getting still images off the memory card most camcorders have. A firewire cable is what you need for the video, so if you don't have one, it's shopping time.

Don't expect to pay more than a fiver for it though.

FreheitOverture

You will definitely need a firewire, I recommend getting a good one which will cost about £8.00 from Maplins. I tried to transfer video from mine using USB and it skipped a lot. With firewire you can get top quality video off the camcorder and then burn a perfectly good DVD

weegie.geek

For convenience and getting it immediately, Maplin's an option, but the cables are no better quality than ones that are half the price, delivered, from the web.

Poppy9

I bought a firewire with USB adaptors from Tesco for about £4. It works a treat. I use Windows media centre to capture the images etc.