I have an old minidv camera without firewire or usb. Can I import video to my pc using an other minidv camera?

Question

Let's just assume there is no firewire or usb (maybe the camera has a broken firewire connection) and not get into discussion whether or not minidv cameras without firewire exist.

Answer 1

all miniDV camcorders have a firewire port, its part of the specifications. A few first generation models were 1-way, that is they would pass data out to a computer, but could not record off the ieee1394 connection. it is usually hidden under the flip out LCD monitor or may be under a rubber boot.  Look for it, it is there.

if you are confused and calling an old analog video8 camcorder a miniDV then there won't be a port. you will have to use its A/V output cables and not a digital transfer.

Answer 2

Essentially then you're asking if the tape from your old broken MiniDV camera will play in a new one?

Yes, of course it will, unless your old camera was damaged in some other way. The only thing that might not work is if you tried to play a PAL MiniDV tape back in an NTSC camcorder or vice versa....

Answer 3

If you have a MiniDV tape, then any MiniDV camcorder, working on the same TV standard as the original recorder, is capable of transferring the video to a PC via firewire.