HandyCam DCR-HC38????

Question

SO the ONLY way to get video off the camcorder is to use a

i-LINK connector??? I've never even Heard of THose before!!! Do I have to go out and buy an i-LINK connector? I have a Dell thats a few years old, and I wouldn't even know where to plug this in!!

I had to do a project on this and now its due tomorrow and I came to find out that this Camcorder I just bought, isn't even compatible with my computer!!!

HELP?? please!!

Answer 1

Yes. MiniDV tape camcorders transfer video from the tape to a computer from the DV port on the camcorder usinf a firewire/IEEE1394a/i.Link (all the same thing) cable connected to a firewire port on your computer.

If your computer does not have one, you can install a PCI card if you have an available slot - tower machines. If a laptop, a PCMCIA card.

Apple Macintoshes have have firewire400 ports for many years.

Answer 2

About 3 years ago, I had a HC40 w/ accompanying grayish USB cable w/ a small plug & a bigger plug at the other end and a Dell p-4 only with USB port. I was also in a situation where I was suddenly asked late night to shoot, transfer & edit a demo to be shown early morning. With no stores open, I tried to connect vcam to pc using the USB cable and did video editing (was starting to learn the process then). The result came out but the quality was just enough since a video stream should be captured via firewire cable. Might try, who knows:

Video  Editing  Process *

*CAPTURE / IMPORT  video stream from vcam & video files from pc folders, EDIT  to make the movie as a project, FINISH  (render / save)  movie in the desired video file format and /or, SHARE …burn to CD/DVD.

for starters, XP/ Windows Movie Maker (wmm**) provides the simple & easy way (& free) to learn the ropes < click Help for fine details>. For enhanced effects, try  SpiceFx  by Pixelan,  Venture later into other video editing app ( http://video-editing-software-review.top... )  according to skill level & need.

Steps:

CAPTURE VIDEO

a.) Connect vcam to pc via firewire (4 or 6 pin) for good transfer (USB can do but possible drop frames with effect on quality)

b.) Set vcam mode to playback desired video, adjust settings for capture, then pause

c.) Open Windows Movie Maker and set to TASKS PANE

d.) In wmm/ Tasks pane/CAPTURE VIDEO, click CAPTURE from video device; wmm should be able to control vcam operations. On play, video files are copied to wmm/COLLECTION (usually several video files, although will not notice during vcam playback)

e.) Import also other desired files (video, pics, sounds, narration) from pc folder to wmm/ Collection

EDIT MOVIE

f.) wmm/EDIT: drag & drop captured video files one by one from collection to TIMELINE chart below at the desired sequence

g.) Enhance/EDIT your video further if you wish: drag/drop effects- transition, filter; create titles…test to your liking & re-edit as you wish

FINISH MOVIE (rendering)

h.) Save the video file to pc and/ or share; then Save project file (work-in-progress) for future edits.

Finally, SHARE

i.) Burn to CD or DVD***   (Wmm2 only on CD for XP)

   ***DVD authoring is incorporated in most video editing app., otherwise, use DVD authoring programs, WinDVD, Nero, Encore, etc.