How do I put videos from my miniDV camcorder onto my computer?

Question

I have a jvc miniDV camcorder that I love. The problem is I wanted to edit the movies on my computer. I don't know how to get miniDV onto a computer. I don't think my computer has a firewire port because it's a thin laptop. Please let me know if this is possible.

Answer 1

What you're goin thru is creating a new Muvee! (video/Audio editing..)

1st Part: transfer video files from vcam to computer
i.e., using a program to receive the video stream from vcam into the PC and saving it as a video file.
- connect vcam to computer via firewire cable (4 or 6 pin) for good transfer (USB may drop frames)
- open (free w/XP) Windows Movie Maker in computer (for starters). **see/click WMMaker help ...it is very detailed.

a. Set the camera mode to play recorded video.
b. In the Movie Maker Tasks pane/Capture Video, click Capture from video device.
c. the video files from vcam will then be put into WMM collection (usually there are several video files from vcam although you will not notice on vcam playback.
d. drag & drop video files one by one from collection to video chart below noting proper number sequence (Note: if no editing is to be done, drag all collection files to one video chart)
e. save the video files (WMAv) one by one
(Note: if no editing is to be done, save WMAv file as one)
...Transfer of the video files is now complete

2nd part: video editing
for starters, XP/Windows Movie Maker would provide the easy way to learn the process. SpiceFx by Pixelan would provide enhanced effects. You may venture to other video editting softwares - Ulead, Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle, etc. with Hollywood effects after learning the editing tricks thru WMMaker.

a. Open WMMaker (steps similar to 1st)
b. In the task pane, import your previously saved video files into another WMM collection sub-folder
Also import your desired audio/music files in another WMM collection sub-folder
c. Edit 1 your video - ' Make your muvee' thru mouse drag & drop technique.. video file to to the video chart below (video/audio)- take note of proper video sequence. Also drag & drop audio/music files to aud/music chart below. The audio from video file and from music files can be adjusted the way you like (mute if you want to) thru setting audio levels icon between video & music.
d. Edit 2 - Can also enhance the muvee thru video effects (zoom/pan - for greater degree, buy Hollywood/Spice FX), transitions, tiltles, credits like a muvee.

3rd part: finish the Movie (thru WMMaker)
Usually save files to computer first for review of the project. You can always go back to edit the project if you want to add or change anything. The saved MMK file is in WMAv.

Finally …Burning to DVD
First off, you'll need an authoring program like Windows DVD maker, Nero vision or Encore DVD. Import the video, Once you click burn, it will automatically convert your .AVI files into mpeg-2 .vobs.

Hope I've been of assistance.

Answer 2

Well assuming your camera came with all the proper accessories you should have a video or data cable and unless this camera is very new usually this was a USB cable and most lap tops have a usb ports and newer lap tops have fire wire . If I knew the model number of your camera and had more info on your lap top I could help you more . Now lets assume you have your data cable connected .. does your lap top have a large enough hard drive .. some of those movies will be very large files over 1 or 2 gig's in size ... so make sure your drive is big enough to handle it ..maybe add a comment with the other info and I can look into it further .
Once your camera is connected there are 2 ways to retrieve your movie file , first you can use the software you should have gotten with your camera , or you can do a search in " my computer " to locate your camera once it's connected ..( make sure you turn it on and have it plugged into the adapter) .
Once you find the camera in my computer locate the movie file and then copy it to a folder on your lap top ..Again there should be a program on the CD which came with the camera that has editing software on it or if you have XP you can use window's movie maker .. but not all lap top instalations of XP have this program ..
hope this helps but like I said let me know what your camera model number is and tell me more about your lap top and I can help you better ...
oh and the JVC software should locate your camera for you ..

Answer 3

You should have a program to install that will edit the video for you. Once you get that installed then you plug in the USB to the computer and your camera and it will automatically come up. Pretty easy.