Downloading video footage from camera to computer?

Question

I'm not sure what model my video camera is, but it's about as big as your hand and has a mini tape in it. I want to download the tapes onto my computer to send in emails, etc. Is there a generic kind of downloading software I can get for this?

Answer 1

if that tape is really small (2 x 2.5inches) that tape is called a miniDV tape (look for the logo- DV).
there are many variations as to hooking up the camcorder & downloading the videos into the computer. One way is direct connection via usb or firewire cable (common nowadays on miniDV camcorders).
One of the commonly preloaded software on to a computer, when your using windows XP, is the WMMaker. With this software you can download your videos straight to the computer. It also has the capability to convert video files for cd/dvd burning, internet streamming, etc.... You can find other software makers at the net and it's free to download from among hundreds of softwares (only with limited usage/capabilities).
hope i cleared things for you

Answer 2

You need a cable to go from the camera to your computer. Depending on your model and features, use firewire if at all possible. Your computer needs a firewire connector also. Otherwise you need to use a USB cable. You need to get the driver for your camcorder from a CD that came with it of from the makers website. Install the driver first before you connect the camera.

If you want to email you need to keep the videos small in screen size (300X240 or smaller) and short in frame rate (10 frames per second or less). Otherwise the size will exceed most people's inbox attachment limits (2-5mb). The best thing to do is upload the video to some free website or your yahoo account and share it from there. Send them a link to your video. Then there will not be as big a size limit (100mb).