What cables are used to transfer video on a mini DV to a computer?

Question

i have a panasonic camcorder that i recorded my videos with. it has a hole for a usb and a hole that has the letters DV written on it.

Answer 1

"DV" is most commonly known as firewire.  If your PC hasn't already got one you'll need to install a firewire card. They're cheap, easy to install and readily available.

Answer 2

DV IEEE 1394 Or best known as the firewire cable it's also used to transfer your video from camcorder to your pc. With the USB cable you will need to install your camera's software on your computer, with The DV cable there's no need for a software and the computer would automaticly detect your camera and will open windows movie maker to transfer your video to the computer. Firewire conection is different from  USB cable USB conection. If your computer is not equiped with this conection you need to install a firewire conection card on it. Hope this answers you question.

Answer 3

There are a few ways you can transfer the video.

1) IEEE 1394 or otherwise FireWire - This is the hole that says "DV" next to it on your camcorder.  All you would need to do is plug a FireWire cable into your camcorder and then into your computer, and many programs (I know Windows Movie Maker does) will recognize the camcorder pretty quickly.  The only problem with this is many computers don't have a FireWire port, especially PCs.  Check the back of your computer for a port shaped like a USB-sized square with beveled edges on one side or a small square and has edges on the bottom.  If you don't have one, you'll have to purchase a card or adapter for one (check the people at Best Buy or search for it, they're not hard to find).

2.)  USB - Well this is the other hole on your camcorder.  The only problem with USB is that many camcorders will not transfer videos through a USB cable, but some do nowadays.  You will really have to check your camcorders manual for more information for your specific model.

3.)  AV - You didn't mention this in your question, but is there something that looks like a yellow headphone jack on your camcorder?  It's probably an AV port, and you can connect a cable to it, much like the one for your TV, and then with a special computer card, connect it to your computer.  This isn't the most efficient way of capturing videos, but it certainly is simple.  However, "capture cards" are sometimes overly expensive.

I hope this helps you out!

Answer 4

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.