Digital video upload

[tnmom25]

I"m not sure if this is the place to post this or not, if not mods feel free to let me know!

I bought a JVC GR-D370u digital camcorder. I wanted to make videos and put them onto dvd using my Dell w/Vista. I just found out that my computer doesn't have a firewire port and I'm lost. What are my options now?

Any advice would be appreciated! Yes, I know that I could ask on a "computer" board or consult the JVC support, but I like the people here better!

 

[Cyrano]

Hoping someone can help as I'm in the same boat regarding lack of firewire port

 

[Snurk71]

Depending on your level of computer innards, you can just buy a firewire card and put one in the computer yourself. I did this when I first started capturing video a number of years ago before the cards were more standard in PCs. I'd be surprised if the cards cost more than $50.

There are probably some ways to do it through USB too, but I would caution against USB. From what I've read you drop a lot of frames through a USB connection and end up with some pretty choppy video.

 

[ukcatfan]

There are probably some ways to do it through USB too, but I would caution against USB. From what I've read you drop a lot of frames through a USB connection and end up with some pretty choppy video.

If it is USB2, then that is usually fast enough. There are some newer Firewire standards that are faster, but in most cases it is more than you need, so why spend the extra $$$ to save a few seconds on the transfer. Your device also has to be at the higher standard of Firewire to benefit. I also believe that USB2 is implemented better on a PC than a Mac, so tales of it not working well might be due to that. Also, if it is USB1, then it would be really slow. I just did a test of transferring some files on a USB2 memory card reader vs. my built in USB1 card reader and it took the USB2 45 secs. but the USB1 was eight minutes.

If you are viewing on the pc from the device you might have frame drops, but if you copy the file over to the pc it is impossible to drop frames. That is like saying that your Word document lost a few random sentences while transferring it. If data were lost it would lead to a corrupt file, not dropped frames.

Kevin

 

[Snurk71]

I think the camcorder the OP referenced is miniDV. Now that I think about it, you can't xfer minDV via USB at all, can you ? I think you have to xfer miniDV tapes through the firewire card.

 

[ukcatfan]

I think the camcorder the OP referenced is miniDV. Now that I think about it, you can't xfer minDV via USB at all, can you ? I think you have to xfer miniDV tapes through the firewire card.

I don't know much about that. My only camcorder experience comes from me helping my dad pick a new one out a few months ago. A quick Google search shows that the OP's model comes with a USB cable though.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

My understanding is that the USB cables on these camcorders are just for transferring still photos. This may be different for hard drive-based camcorders.

Adding firewire to a desktop PC is pretty simple, and add-in cards are, off the top of my head, probably $15-20 or so. Check www.newegg.com to find out exactly. For laptops, I would assume that there's adapters but I've never researched so I'm not sure...

 

[tnmom25]

Bumping!

 

[tnmom25]

My understanding is that the USB cables on these camcorders are just for transferring still photos. This may be different for hard drive-based camcorders.

Adding firewire to a desktop PC is pretty simple, and add-in cards are, off the top of my head, probably $15-20 or so. Check www.newegg.com to find out exactly. For laptops, I would assume that there's adapters but I've never researched so I'm not sure...

I just saw your post, I've been out of town! I really appreciate your tip, I'll check it out. I REALLY need to get some videos uploaded soon!

 

[tnmom25]

Hoping someone can help as I'm in the same boat regarding lack of firewire port

I bought a QStor firewire card from walmart.com and it came today. I emailed the company beforehand to make sure it was compatible w/Windows Vista and the rep that replied said it was. I will have dh install it ASAP and let you know how it works. It was about $15 plus shipping, I think the total was just about $22. Not too bad, let's just hope it works!