How do i get footage from my MiniDV tape onto my PC?

I have a new camera that i got for Xmas. It's a JVC and it has MiniDV and SD memory for snapshots while filming. I can only record video on the tape. If i hook the camera up to the computer, i can only retrieve photos from the SD card using the USB cord supplied.

If i get a firewire and a PC card for it, can i move my footage onto the computer? Is it really that simple? I cant beleive JVC made a camera that wont allow the user to upload video onto the computer. IT'S BRAND NEW! This isnt 1992. Jerks at JVC...

Video Editing Process *

*CAPTURE / IMPORT video stream from vcam & video files from pc folders, EDIT to make the movie as a project, FINISH (render / save) movie in the desired video file format and /or, SHARE 鈥urn to CD/DVD.

for starters, XP/ Windows Movie Maker (wmm**) provides the simple & easy way (& free) to learn the ropes < click Help for fine details>. For enhanced effects, try SpiceFx by Pixelan, Venture later into other video editing app ( http://video-editing-software-review.top... ) according to skill level & need.

Steps:
CAPTURE VIDEO
a.) Connect vcam to pc via firewire (4 or 6 pin) for good transfer (USB can do but possible drop frames with effect on quality)
b.) Set vcam mode to playback desired video, adjust settings for capture, then pause
c.) Open Windows Movie Maker and set to TASKS PANE
d.) In wmm/ Tasks pane/CAPTURE VIDEO, click CAPTURE from video device; wmm should be able to control vcam operations. On play, video files are copied to wmm/COLLECTION (usually several video files, although will not notice during vcam playback)
e.) Import also other desired files (video, pics, sounds, narration) from pc folder to wmm/ Collection
EDIT MOVIE
f.) wmm/EDIT: drag & drop captured video files one by one from collection to TIMELINE chart below at the desired sequence
g.) Enhance/EDIT your video further if you wish: drag/drop effects- transition, filter; create titles鈥est to your liking & re-edit as you wish
FINISH MOVIE (rendering)
h.) Save the video file to pc and/ or share; then Save project file (work-in-progress) for future edits.

Finally, SHARE
i.) Burn to CD or DVD*** (Wmm2 only on CD for XP)

***DVD authoring is incorporated in most video editing app. Otherwise, use DVD authoring programs, WinDVD, Nero, Encore, etc.

yes you do have to have a 1394 IEEE card and a fire wire

i'm getting a MiniDV camcorder myself and i would like to know the answere to.

Your dv camcorder needs a firewire connection (ieee 1394) in order to download video, your PC probably did not come with a firewire port, so you will have to buy one and install it, since most computers (except possibly brand new) don't come with a firewire port, your camcorder did not come with a firewire cord so you have to purchase a cord too. Your camcorder did come with a USB cord and that is used for downloading stills from your camcorder

I think until firewire ports become standard on computers, camcorders will not come with a firewire cord.

You need:

1) a PC with a firewire connection, OR (if you don't have one) a firewire card which adds the connection to your PC (not expensive, and very easy to plug in, provided that you have an open slot)

2) A firewire cable (sometimes comes with the card)

3) Software for capturing/editing/rendering your video. You can use the moviemaker software that comes bundled with Windows Vista (or iMovie if using a Mac), or you could buy something with more capabilities depending on your needs.

There are some products out there which bundle all 3 of the above. For cheap (under $100), easy to use, but very feature-rich editing, a lot of people like Pinnacle Studio products.

NOTE that capturing/editing/rendering video is one of the most resource-intensive things you will ever ask your PC to do. It requires a relatively fast PC and a big hard drive. Capturing full-quality DV video from your MiniDV tapes will use almost 13GB per hour captured. So you'll want to capture, edit, then export back to tape (or DVD) for storage.

You will find a read of this article very useful and informative :-

http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.p...

The software being used is Ulead VideoStudio - you can download a free trial to see if it works for you from :-

http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm

or

http://www.ulead.co.uk/vs/runme.htm

~

Connect camera via firewire to pc. Install ROXIO MEDIA SUITE. Start up roxio and then ON the camera. Camera will be detected from roxio. clickmake new dvd and select as a source the mini dv. control camera from roxio interface. click record. then proceed to burn dvd. add themes and burn dvd. easy, i do it all the time with my eyes closed.