how to get video from a camcorder to computer

[Corporate Thug]

i want to burn home movies onto a DVD-r. how would i go about transferring video from a camcorder to the computer. i think its a mini-dv camcorder. not sure

 

[rbV5]

If its mini dv, you can just transfer it over using firewire. If its analog, you'll need a analog capture card. Here's a good site for info.

 

[Corporate Thug]

only mini dvs have firewire support?

 

[rbV5]

only mini dvs have firewire support?

I'm not familiar with all that's out there, but generally Digital Camcorders (mini DV being a digital format) will have firewire support, as well as analog (s-video and composite) and some also support USB. Analog Camcorders generally support s-video and/or composite.

Best bet is to plug the model into google and look at the specs.

 

[oldfart]

Yeah pretty much every DV and Digital-8 camcorder I've seen has firewire. It would be odd to see one that doesn't.

 

[Corporate Thug]

ok, if is not mini dv (not sure what it is, i dont have it with me at the moment), how do u transfer video through the s-video?

 

[rbV5]

how do u transfer video through the s-video?

You can't actually "transfer" using analog inputs...you must capture the video. Basically, you need the analog input, either from a VIVO video card, or a addin capture card. You connect the camcorder to you PC using that input and capture it with software like virtual dub or Pinnacle or any number of capture proggies.

It is not a trivial pursuit, and the link to DVDRhelp above has some great info.