I have a digital camcorder. How do I upload videos from it onto my computer?

Question

I want to send the video in an email using google email. How can I upload the video as a file so I can send it in an email???

Answer 1

You have not given enough information to give you assistance:

It depends on what kind of camera it is.

If it is a real camcorder using

MiniDV tape: You need to connect with a Firewire cable from the DV port of the camera to the firewire port of your computer and import with MovieMaker (Windows) or iMovie (Macintosh). USB will not work.

Hard drive or flash memory card: You need to connect with a USB cable from the USB port on the camcorder to the USB port of the computer and copy the files. Bring into MovieMaker (Windows) or iMovie (Macintosh). For iMovie, you will need to download and install StreamClip (free) from Apple.com downloads area.

DVD based camcorder: Place the finalized DVD in the drawer loading DVD drive of your computer and rip the DVD using HandBrake. You may also need ISOBuster. NEVER put a minidisc in a slot loading optical drive - you will break the drive and scratch the disc.

Analog camcorder (Hi8 or VHS-c): Using the AV cables, connect the camcorder to an analog/digital bridge (Pinnacle Dazzle for USB or Canopus for firewire). You can use this same method for DVD camcorders if you do not have a drawer loading DVD drive on your computer. You can use this same method for miniDV tape camcorders if you do not have a firewire port on your computer. You can use this same method for hard drive or flash based camcorders if you do not have a USB port on your computer.

Once you get the video in the camorder, edit using MovieMake (Windows) or iMovie (Macintosh). The export or share in a compressed format so it fits the email guidelines of gmail... probably 10 meg is the largest enclosure they will allow. The quality will likely be pretty bad because video uses lots of space if it is decent quality and making it small enough to email means compression which means reduced quality. If you want to send a bigger (and better video quality) file, use an upload service like YouSendIt.com

Answer 2

Your 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.