How do you download videos from a Camcorder on to the computer?

Question

I don't understand why my computer doesn't register the USB cord from my camcorder so that I can download a video to my computer in order to edit it. Am I using the wrong cord? Any help??

Answer 1

If you are using a miniDV or Digital 8 tape based camcorder, USB won't work. You need to use a firewire (IEEE1394a, i.Link - all the same thing) to connect the DV port on the camcorder to the firewire port on your computer.

If your computer does not have a firewire port, add one. They are cheap... and typically they are easy to add.

As USB to firewire converter won't work, either.