How do I get my video (on tape) onto the computer to edit?

Question

I have a panasonic camera, and hooked it up to the computer via the S-video cord. Now there is nothing coming up on the computer, registering that the video recorder is even there. Please help! I need to edit the footage on the tape.

Answer 1

Since you mention an S-video cord, I take it this camera is NOT firewire, and you have connected it to a video capture card (TV card) in your computer.  That card should come with a utility to run to watch TV or video, and instructions on how to capture.  If you post the exact name of your video capture card, people can give you a better answer.

If you're hooked up via S-video, the computer will never be able to know what's at the other end, only whether video is coming in or not.  If you're in a video editor, there may be some button to switch video inputs - start the video playing back on the camera, then see if anything shows up in the video editor.

Answer 2

You need to install the drivers for your camera, maybe from a CD or the panasonic website

Answer 3

Usually, S-video on a computer is a one-way video port... out to a monitor or TV - not in. This is typical for laptops. It may be a capture card in a tower, in which case there would be other software for it. Treat it like you would treat and inbound video. Of course, you do know that s-video is for video only - and not audio - so the audio side will require its own cabling.

You did not tell us which Panasonic tape based camcorder.

If miniDV or digital8 tape, then transfer is done using firewire400 - not S-video. Your computer needs a firewire port - and you will use a firewire cable. If your computer does not have a firewire port, hopefully it has an available expansion slot so you can add one. You did not tell us which computer, so we have no way to know whether there are expansion slots.

If VHS or VHS-C, this is an analog camcorder and you will need an analog/digital bridge like those from Pinnacle (Dazzle) or Canopus.