What do I need to record video on my PC

[Mantamad]

I have a digital video camera (mini DV) and wondered if I could connect this to my PC and transfer the video taken onto DVD. I think my PC spec is ok (P4, plenty space on hard drive etc) but I am not sure if I need a video card - the video camera says you can connect to a PC with a DV connector - or what software I need to use.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[breezer]

i should say you need video editing software and a suitable video in card.

I have got pinacle studio, works well

 

[Spark123]

Does DV plug into a Firewire port? Which camcorder do you have?

 

[Igorian]

Spark is correct. You need a mini DV to Firewire cable plus, as breezer suggests, some software such as Pinnacle. The cables are available from places like Maplin. You will also need a firewire card for your PC, if not already there. Unlike USB, make sure the camera and PC are OFF before making the connection otherwise you WILL damage the firewire interface.

 

[Mantamad]

Thanks for the information - its all starting to make a bit more sense now. My Camcorder is a JVC GR-D240 which has a DV out socket which is IEEE1394 standard, I had a look at www.savastore.com and they list a few firewire cards of this standard.

Looks like I will need one of these cards, a cable and the software although I have found some Nero video editing software on the PC already.

My first time on the forum and its an excellent result, thanks

 

[breezer]

get pinacle or similar, it also allows you to do sill things

such as titles (begining and end)

effects (never tried them)

add sound track (not done that either)

re-arnge "tracks" before you put them onto vcd or dvd

oh and editing does use a lot of hard drive spave (i have a 20gb partition just for video)