How to download mpeg-2 files form a Sony DCR-ip5?

Question

I have IBM laptop (not a Sony) with Win2k. I also have a iLink to Firewire cable.

Answer 1

Does your laptop has firewire input? Normally the laptops doesn't come with firewire input, so you need to buy either a PCMCIA adapter for firewire which doesn't cost more than £15. Then you can either use Windows Movie Maker or you can buy a software called Pinnacle Studio DV which costs £50. Using this software you can either capture mpeg format which is compressed (you lose some quality) or you can capture DV format which is uncompressed AVI. In the latter case, once captured you can edit the video (add title, background music etc etc) and record high quality DVDs or convert it into mpeg2 or mpeg4 format.