How can I record from a video camera tape to my computer?

Question

How can I record from a video camera tape to my computer?

Answer 1

If you're recording from tape, meaning video you've already shot, you need to connect the digital out port of the camera into your computer via firewire or USB (more likely firewire because USB can be to slow to carry all the data required for a video signal).

But in order to CAPTURE the video, you need editing software.  Windows Movie Maker, or iMovie both can walk you through the process relatively painlessly.

If your video camera is an older model and doesn't have firewire, it will still have other ports to get the video out.  Such as composite (yellow, red, white) or S-Video.  If you only have those ports on the camera you will need a digital media converter to convert the signal from analog to digital so the computer can get it.  Media converters start at about $200.  You can also use this to hook up your VCR to your computer and capture all your old home movies to put onto DVD.