Get Mini DV tapes to computer.?

Question

First off, is it possible to convert mini DV tapes to computers?

I've been told i need a IEEE 1394 cable or something but i lost the one that came with the camera. Are they hard to get? And how about the actual process of getting the tape onto the computer so we can edit in movie maker? Please help we're ^%$%&% if we dont get this done in two days.

Answer 1

no there not hard to get there also called firewire cables. most computer/electronic stores have it.  you will have to play out the DV tape for however long the length is for it to go on your computer and may need programs to edit if if u dont have windows movie maker. if u dont have a program try roxio.

Answer 2

Yes, I import video from my miniDV tape based camcorder almost weekly.

You need a firewire port on your computer... Firewire, IEEE1394a and i.Link are all the same thing. If you don't have a firewire port on your computer, install one. They are cheap and easy to install.

When successfully installed, you will need a firewire cable to connect the DV port on the camcorder (4-pin) to the firewire port on your computer. This can be 4-pin or 6-pin - depending on what you installed.

With the camcorder in Play/Edit mode, launch MovieMaker and Capture the video. It will import.

USB will not work. USB-firewire adapters will not work.