What is an alternative way to firewire to capture video on to your computer from video camera?

Question

I recently bought a new video camera and to capture onto the computer I need to use the firewire cable. However, my laptop does not have a firewire plug. Do I need to buy a converter? A different kind of cable?

Answer 1

Yes you can buy one from firewire into USB connection.I recently bought one so I can say for sure they make one.

Answer 2

The firewire to USB converter will not work. The cable adpter exists, but the computer application won't know to even look for the digital video coming in from the USB port.

If you have a PCMCIA slot, there are firewire cards available for pretty cheap. Firewire Express slot cards are more expensive.

If you have no expansion slots, then you can use an analog/digital converter...

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us...

Video will be degraded because of the downgrade to analog before getting converted back to digital in your computer.

Answer 3

Your camcorder should also have an RCA analog cable.  One end goes into the camcorder and the other ends yellow for video red & white for audio go into a capture card or device.

A capture card won't help in your case (no pun intended) because you won't have an expansion slot.  You may need a device (such as Dazzle).

Answer 4

You need a firewire card for your laptop!!

Answer 5

Sorry, I have never seen a firewire to USB cord, if your camcorder needs a firewire connection then your laptop needs a firewire card installed and if your laptop doesn't have an extra bay, then you are out of luck. I think a previous poster might be confused with the digital camera cord that is USB on one end and dv on the other.