My Panasonic 3CCD mini DV video camera is not detected by windows movie maker when plugged in?

Question

It is in playback mode, and my computer makes a noise recognizing its plugged in, but I can't find it anywhere on my computer. I am using a USB connection.

Answer 1

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. Make sure your camera is in playback mode.

The fine print in your manual makes reference to firewire (ieee 1394) connection.

Answer 2

Use a firewire cable connected to the DV port of the camcorder and the firewire port of the computer - the "Capture" the video from the camcorder (the camcorder needs to be plugged into AC power, too).

If your computer does not have a firewire port, hopefully it has an available expansion slot so you can add one.

USB can be used for web streaming - but transferring DV will be a challenge - USB is also typically used for transferring stills from the memory card (if the camcorder is so equipped).

Answer 3

Windows Movie Maker can't do certain types of files.My camcorder records .MOV format, which can't be used with Windows Movie Maker. (.MOV is by apple, a rivle of microsoft)