Where do I plug in my Digital IEEE 1394 Cable? Did I buy the right cable?

Question

So, I've been having trouble uploading my footage from Panasonic Mini DV Camcorder (yea that little blue colored one) and then someone told me I needed to go out and buy a IEEE 1394 cable, so i did. Then I got home and was P*SSED because the small end fits in the "DV" section of my mini DV cam, but I cant find where to plug it in on my Inspiron 1420 laptop!!!! And the small end of the cable fits into a spot in my laptop too, So even if i switch it around and do it that way, there's no place to put the other end in my camera.

Is there a hole on my computer that I am not finding? Because I've tried everything. and the cable is 4-6 Pin like the panasonic website said it should be.

Please help! The footage is so late on being edited and it's holding up production just because i can't get it on my *beep* computer!

Answer 1

Your question is somewhat confusing but... if your cable doesn't plug into the camera and the laptop at the same time you need a cable that will. Take the cable and the laptop into the store and say "firewire cable". Usually for a laptop and a consumer dvcam it requires a double ended dual small male firewire ended cable....usually but electronics continually make life more confusing so you never know.

Answer 2

Your laptop probably doesn't have a firewire port and if you don't have an empty bay then you can't install a fire wire port you are out of luck.

This whole firewire port/cable/ problem is a real mess, if only computer makers and camera makers would get their act together it would make our lives much easier.

Answer 3

ALL MiniDV camcorders have a 4 pin firewire port.  MOST PC firewire ports are 6 pin, but some are 4 pin.  You need to swap your cable for a 4 pin to 4 pin.