How do I capture video from my MiniDV camera?

[Winchester]

I have a Sony DCR-HC40 Handycam. The software that comes with it blows... bad.

I have Adobe Premiere and After Effects. How can I use those to capture the video from the camcorder?

I have it set to USB stream.

I prefer DVD quality not VCD quality.

 

[Bootprint]

You need a firewire card, and cable to connect the PC to the Handycam so that you download the video onto your Harddrive at full Res.

 

[PacFu]

I have the same issue with my panasonic miniDV cam...my usb connector into the pc recognizes the cam, but I cant pull it...I havent tried to import from premier but that should work

 

[Winchester]

Ok. Will a normal 4 to 6 pin firewire cable work or do I need a special sony Ilink cable? I already have a firewire card.

 

[marmasatt]

Everyone else is right. Musts use firewire. If not you will get choppy graphics and poor resolution no matter how powerful your system is IMO. We all made that mistake the first time. You don't need ILINK. Infact please don't. It costs $ 30 - $ 40 when you get can get a 6 pin to 4 pin (3 ft) for like $ 7 bucks on many websites. You don't even really need the original capture software either if you have XP.......