How can I connect a JVC digital camcorder DV out to my new Toshiba Laptop which doesn't have a firewire port?

Question

My old PC had a firewire port which is how I used to get video onto the computer. But I don't know what to do with this new laptop, shouldn't it have come with a firewire port as standard? Or is firewire obselete already?!! Please help me I can never keep up with these technology changes. Thanks

Answer 1

There are 2 firewire 400 configurations, 4 pin & 6 pin (9-pin "S800)

Usually, the 6-pin is in desktop computers, while the 4-pin is for laptops. Kindly re-check your laptop vis pictures in this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire

Procure 4-pin to 4-pin firewire cable.

I own a year-old Tosh

Answer 2

firewire DV video is a "standard" but it is not on every computer. it is not obsolete, and with HDV using the same DV equipment and connectors, it can be expected to have a long production life. Your laptop should have provision for at least 1 plug in card, use that for your ilink adaptor. conversion to USB is not recommended as your computer bus is not optimized to accept highspeed continuous streaming from the USB. The USB 2 has a high data rate, but in bursts only.

Answer 3

if there's a pc world nr you,check out dvdxpress.t think it's compatible but please ask before buying,good luck!

Answer 4

lare is right, but before you go and get a firewire card for your laptop, make sure you know what sort of card you need.  Older laptops used PCMCIA, but newer ones are using Express.  Sadly, an Express firewire card will be more expensive :-(

<edit>

That sounds right, but I couldn't see a suitable card on Amazon.com and the one listed on the UK site was about twice the price I'd expect to pay!  In the UK they're the equivalent of about $50 - Amazon were listing the Belkin model at almost $100!!

Answer 5

this site will give you a sony vaio laptop just for completing some quick online tasks! really recommend it, especially if you're broke but really want/need a laptop (like me).