How do I get my camcorder Videos onto the Computer!?!?!?

Question

I have a Mini DV Panasonic Camcorder. We bought the firewire cord, and got the firewire port installed, and whenever I plug my camcorder in, it makes the same noise when you plug a USB device in, but it doesn't show up in my computer or anything. There is no software that came with my camcorder, So Don't say install the software. This is driving me insane, and I don't know how to get the videos on Windows Movie Maker or anything because the Camcorder isn't showing up on my computer! Pleaaase help me out! I just want to get my videos on the computer so i can have them as files! Thanks.

Answer 1

ALL miniDV tape based camcorders transfer video using their DV port (not USB) connected to the firewire 400 port (not USB) of the computer with a firewire cable (not USB.

Firewire, IEEE1394a and i.Link are all the same thing. And they are not USB.

If your computer does not have a firewire port, they are typically easy to add and a generally cheap... but you did not tell us what comuter you have, so we don;t know if you will have problems or if it will be easy. Once the firewire400 port is working, there are no device-specific drivers required.

What I have normally found are:

1) the Windows Operating System was bought on the cheap and there are some registry items missing. A re-install of the OS with a REAL installation disc tends to clear the issue.

2) A Dynex card is being used - They have problems that defy repair - lots of folks at CNET.com have reported similar problems. They work about 1/4 the time... otherwise, another card is in order. Belkin makes good ones.