How do I upload a video from my camera onto the computer?

Question

I recorded something on my video camera. I took the plug you need to attach it to the computer. Plugged it into my camera and the USB port thing. And nothing. How do I get this video onto my computer?

Answer 1

Depends... if your computer shows the camcorder as a device when you double click on my computer then you can just open the file on the camcorder and watch it... If not then you will need to have the right software on your computer to do it.

Answer 2

Usually the camera comes with software to do that.

Answer 3

If you have a mini dv (cassette) camcorder….

Your dv camcorder needs a firewire connection (ieee 1394) in order to download video, your PC probably did not come with a firewire port, so you will have to buy one and install it, since most computers (except possibly brand new) don't come with a firewire port, your camcorder did not come with a firewire cord so you have to purchase a cord too. Your camcorder did come with a USB cord and that is used for downloading stills from your camcorder.

Answer 4

What kind of camera you have?

MiniDV Digital tape? That usually comes with miniDV = Firewire port. If so, get the firewire cable, connect camera and computer and wait, it should find new device and then offer capturing even in Windows Movie Maker (part of windows) or any other 3rd party sw you have.

USB port is much slower and you do need special drivers and software to do that.

USB port on miniDV camera is ment mainly for transfering still photos from memory card rather than movie from tape.

If you do not have miniDV digital camera but regular analog tape (like VHS-C) - it cannot be transfered to the computer digitally. You need to play the movie and capture the regular analog videosignal - either you need computer videocard with that feature or external device which connects between camera and USB port.

... it always helps to be more specific what type of camera you have,  media (tape, miniDV, DVD RW)  you camera uses etc., to receive good answers...

Have fun, Johnny