Can DV cables upload videos from a MiniDV Camcorder to your computerr?

Question

and if not, can anything upload videos from a MiniDV camcorder to a computer?

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you mean by DV cables, but yes, there is a way to upload footage from miniDV to computer  :)   All you need is a firewire IEEE 1394 cable (sometimes called iLink), which is available at any electronics store (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc) for around $20. You'll also need to make sure you computer has a firewire jack (usually located in the back of the computer). The jack will most likely be marked by a little symbol- a circle with 3 spokes, resembling a little peace sign. When you manage to come across a firewire cable, I highly advise you to follow this particular order of steps:

    1) Rewind your miniDV tape in the camera to the part where you want to begin the capture.

   2) Connect the firewire cable to the respective port in the back of the computer.

   3) Making sure the camera is OFF, connect the other end of the firewire cable to the camera port maked firewire or iLink. This step is the MOST important. Since the computer has power running through it, you do not want power running through the camera as well when the connection is made, you may short out either the firewire cable, and possibly even the camera!

   4) Now, turn ON the camera setting it to VCR or Playback mode. After doing so, a window should appear on the computer, saying it recognized that the camera device has been plugged in. If it doesn't, that's ok, just launch your editing program anyway. (if you don't have an editing program, don't worry, there are default ones on the computer that will work- Windows Movie Maker for PCs and iMovie for Macs- they are horrible quality, but are good places to start)

  5)When the program launches, go to the capture menu, and simply press the record (or "Start Capture") button on the Computer (not the camera!!!!). You should now see you footage being played in both your camcorder, and you should see a preview in the capture window on the computer...While it is capturing, try not to shake the camera, it may cause it to drop frames.

6) Once you are done, you can exit the capture window, and edit your movie. At this time, you may not turn the camera off, and after it is off, you may disconnect the firewire.

Good luck :)