JVC Camcorder, computer upload.?

Question

So I have a JVC Digital Video Camcorder (mini DV), model GR-D250U, and I was wondering if there was a way to upload the recorded stuff to the computer.

When we bought it, it made it sound like it was digital, but when it came in we found out it needed the cassette tapes. It still works great, I just want to know if there's a way to upload the tape to the computer.

Answer 1

The "DV" in miniDV = digital video. The digital information is digital, not analog like the Beta and VHS days. That is why it is called a "JVC Digital Video Camcorder"... because it records digital information to the tape (better than hard drive or flash memory based camcorders, but that is a different post about data compression).

Transferring - rather, importing - DV from the camcorder to your computer using USB won't work. You need a firewire cable to connect the camcorder's DV port to the computer's firewire port. If your computer does not have a firewire port, hopefully it has an expansion slot so you can add one.

When the connections are made, nothing will "automatically" happen. You need to launch your video editor and import or capture the video... the camcorder needs to be in "Play" or "VCR" mode. You may also need to be plugged into AC power.

USB is used only for transferring still pictures from a memory card or for web-streaming.

A USB/firewire converter/adapter will not work.

Macintosh computers have had a firewire port for around 10 years as standard. The only exception is the new MacBook Air. If you are running a Mac, all you need is a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable and iMovie will Import the video.