How do I put a video from my camcorder onto my computer?

Question

do i need any extra equipment?

ty

Answer 1

Hello!  Glad you asked the question!  Ok, simply put yes, you DO NEED another kind of cable to transfer from Camcorder onto the PC.  Things you need to know :  

1.) The pin size of your computer's fire wire port ( Or even if your computer has fire wire!)

2.) Do you have programs such as Windows Movie Maker, in order to capture the video onto the computer

3.)  Where to get fire wire cables

Luckily, I will answer those questions!  

Ok, first off, the pin size, simply means how the look of your fire wire port looks like, its its super small and looks like a mini bridge, its most likely a 1394 port.  If its almost as big as a normal USB port, and looks like an elongated D, its a 6 pin fire wire port.  Fire wire ports (depending on the manufacturer) are either located on the front, or on the back of the computer.  Laptops usually have them on the right or left sides (1394 ports)  Macs have them on the right or the left (they have the D shaped ones)  And most desktops either have them on the front, or on the back.  (Various pin sizes)

Now when it comes to shopping for the fire wire cable, you MUST KNOW your pin size, the small end is for the camcorder, the other end is for the computer.  However if you are like me, the cable has two small ends simply because its a 1394 port.  Fire wire cables range from 20 - 50 bucks.  

Heres a quick little way out of the fire wire mess :  Go to your local BestBuy and buy the USB/ Fire Wire cable.  It has the firewire ports for the camcorder, and plugs through USB onto your computer.  The only problem is that it usually lowers the quality, and they range from 50-80 bucks. ( U.S. Dollars)

Ok, lets say you got the Fire wire cable, it fits onto your computer, now your ready to jam! Turn your computer on first then  Simply plug in the camcorder to the computer using the cable, and then turn on your camcorder to "play"  and then hopefully the computer recognizes the "device" and it would ask if you would like to use Windows Movie maker, to capture the video.  Windows movie maker is a free program that should come with your computer, if not you can download it for free at www.download.com

I hope this helped, and if you have any further questions, feel free to contact me at [e-mail]