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General discussion

Very helpful. But I have another question.

Apr 22, 2006 2:03PM PDT

Thank you so much for the information. But I was wondering if the mini-dv uses a tape how do you transfer that onto your computer? Is it difficult? Right now I use a JVC old style camcorder with the bigger tapes. I have a ton of tapes that I have never transfered to a VHS tape. So I kinda wanted to go a little easier than hooking up a camcorder to the tv and vcr to transfer my video. I want something that is quick to transfer so I dont put it off. Is the mini-dv easier than the old style?

Thanks
Denyel

Discussion is locked

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Sorry this should have not started a new post.
Apr 22, 2006 2:08PM PDT

I wanted to reply to a different post. Sorry I goofed. I am still trying to learn these forums. Ill get it one day.

Denyel

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Transfering from miniDV
Apr 22, 2006 2:42PM PDT

MiniDV camcorders have a iLink/firewire port that is mostly used to transfer the video. Firewire is better than USB or Audio/Video because it preserves the quality of the video while transfering. Laptops and Apple computers usually have firewire ports but PCs with windows do not. However that's not a problem, you can buy a firewire card for around $20 and install it yoursellf, then you just need a firewire cable to connect the camcorder and the computer.
Second you'll need an editing/capturing software to capture the video from the camcorder. There's a ton of them, Movie maker comes with windows so it's free is an example. When you canture the video though it's done in real time so a 60min video is captured in 60min. I don't know if that's quick enough for you or not.
Transfering the video to the computer isn't hard. But editing it, can be; depending on how much you want to edit.