Help regarding video camera and recording.?

Question

Okay, so I'm making a video with my video camera and was wondering, which should I use to record: a tape (which I normally use) or a "multimedia card." There is this little compartment on the side of my camera which says "multimedia card." Is that like a memory card in a digital camera? I want to be able to hook the camera up to my computer afterwards and do some editing with Windows Movie Maker. Would a "multimedia card" be better for this? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If you provide the manufacturer and model of the camcorder, it would help us help you.

Your answers will be in the camcorder manual.

Most miniDV and digital8 tape based camcorders with a memory card record digital video to the tape only and still photos to the memory card only. You will use a firewire (IEEE1394a, i.LINK, DV) cable to import video from the camcorder's DV port to your computer's firewire port - add one to your computer if it does not have one and your computer has an available expansion slot. USB will not work.

USB is used to transfer only the stills from the memory card. Since - typically - video is not captured to the memory card (only the tape), use of a high-speed multi-media card is not necessary. The memory card requirements will also be in the camcorder's manual.

NEVER connect the camcorder's USB and firewire cables to the computer at the same time.

When you connect the firewire cable to the camcorder and the computer, and the camcorder is in "Play" or "VCR" mode, MovieMaker should be able to "Capture" the video from the digital tape.

When you connect the USB cable to the camcorder and the computer, the memory card should mount like any other mass storage device and be available in "My Computer" as just another USB storage item.

Remember: NEVER connect the camcorder's USB and firewire cables to the computer at the same time.