From mini-DV camcorder to burning on a DVD

[crablegs]

Hello,

 

First I have to put a disclaimer that I am completely clueless when it comes down to anything related to technology....

 

I have a mini-DV camcorder (Panasonic about 5yrs old) and I am desperately trying to put my kids movies into a DVD we can all watch together. I recently purchased the Roxio 2010 creator thinking this would be as easy as a plug & burn.... but after weeks of failure & frustration I resigned my self to seeking some help on this forum.

 

Long story short, when I try to capture from the mini-DV camcorder, the computer simply does not 'see' or 'recognize' anything? I tried several USB ports, even bought a new cable thinking the old one was broken, but no success.... Please help!

[ggrussell]

Long story short, when I try to capture from the mini-DV camcorder, the computer simply does not 'see' or 'recognize' anything? I tried several USB ports, even bought a new cable thinking the old one was broken, but no success.... Please help!

You didn't post which model, but most miniDV tape camcorders use FIREWIRE (1394 port) to transfer video. The USB port is normally for using the camcorder as a webcam or transferring still images from the camcorder.

 

Check your camcorder manual for 'firewire' or '1394' and make sure your computer has the same port. You will then need to purchase the correct cable. Camcorders usually have the small 4pin and desktops have the 6pin. The only except is Sony desktops which also use the 4pin port.

[sknis]

Hello,

 

First I have to put a disclaimer that I am completely clueless when it comes down to anything related to technology....

 

I have a mini-DV camcorder (Panasonic about 5yrs old) and I am desperately trying to put my kids movies into a DVD we can all watch together. I recently purchased the Roxio 2010 creator thinking this would be as easy as a plug & burn.... but after weeks of failure & frustration I resigned my self to seeking some help on this forum.

 

Long story short, when I try to capture from the mini-DV camcorder, the computer simply does not 'see' or 'recognize' anything? I tried several USB ports, even bought a new cable thinking the old one was broken, but no success.... Please help!

 

Please, the exact model of the Panasonic camera. If it is digital, then you plug in the Firewire (not USB) to your computer. If the camcorder is analog, you need to convert the signal from A (analog) to D (digital). You would need a A/D converter which would use one of the USB ports. This is an exampleof the A/D converter.

 

Please come back with that model number. Note: If you have a 40x or more zoom, it is probably and analog camcorder; if it is limited to 10x or so, it may be an digital camcorder.

Edited June 18, 2010 by sknis

[crablegs]

You didn't post which model, but most miniDV tape camcorders use FIREWIRE (1394 port) to transfer video. The USB port is normally for using the camcorder as a webcam or transferring still images from the camcorder.

 

Check your camcorder manual for 'firewire' or '1394' and make sure your computer has the same port. You will then need to purchase the correct cable. Camcorders usually have the small 4pin and desktops have the 6pin. The only except is Sony desktops which also use the 4pin port.

 

I would like to thank you for your quick & efficient response. You have provided me with more help than the long hours spent on the line with a help desk. You are 100% correct. When I plug the cable from the camcorder to the USB port in my computer, all I see is that it is acting as a web cam.

 

Upon returning home I will check the model for my camcorder and see if I can find another cable that is not a USB cable.

 

Thank you very much again. I am very impressed with this discussion group. I was frankly not expecting any answer.

 

Glen

 

Please, the exact model of the Panasonic camera. If it is digital, then you plug in the Firewire (not USB) to your computer. If the camcorder is analog, you need to convert the signal from A (analog) to D (digital). You would need a A/D converter which would use one of the USB ports. This is an exampleof the A/D converter.

 

Please come back with that model number. Note: If you have a 40x or more zoom, it is probably and analog camcorder; if it is limited to 10x or so, it may be an digital camcorder.

 

Thank you so kindly for your time. I will look up the camcorder model.

[crablegs]

Okay. Finally was able to look up the camcorder model. It is a Panasonic PV-DV203D. There is a latch that opens on the side where the memory card is situated. I have there 2 different ports to connect a cable. One of them as the typical 'trident' logo that I thought was used for USB cables and the other one has 'i DV' written next to it. Or said differrenlty, one port is bigger than the other one...

 

Also what is a 'driver', is this something I need to install? I know for sure I no longer have the installation CD that came with this camcorder, but someone told me that such drivers can be downloaded from the internet? Is this something I will need in order to capture or just getting the right cable will do?

 

Thank you very much again for your help.

 

Glen

[bimicher]

Okay. Finally was able to look up the camcorder model. It is a Panasonic PV-DV203D. There is a latch that opens on the side where the memory card is situated. I have there 2 different ports to connect a cable. One of them as the typical 'trident' logo that I thought was used for USB cables and the other one has 'i DV' written next to it. Or said differrenlty, one port is bigger than the other one...

 

Also what is a 'driver', is this something I need to install? I know for sure I no longer have the installation CD that came with this camcorder, but someone told me that such drivers can be downloaded from the internet? Is this something I will need in order to capture or just getting the right cable will do?

 

Thank you very much again for your help.

 

Glen

 

The "i -DV" is also called a Firewire or IEEE-1384 connection and is the one you have to use if capturing the video from the tape. Capturing from the memory card (photos) is done ove the USB connection.

Edited June 23, 2010 by myguggi

[buyman]

I tried ROXIO to burn a video from my camcorder to a CD on my desktop. IT erase my mini cd video completely. I could not recover it. What can I do? 

clydemanley@sbcglobal.net

[bimicher]

3 hours ago, buyman said:

I tried ROXIO to burn a video from my camcorder to a CD on my desktop. IT erase my mini cd video completely. I could not recover it. What can I do? 

clydemanley@sbcglobal.net

You responded to a 12 year old thread.

Please start your own thread and explain exactly what you did with as much detail as possible. Also describe your Camcorder (make/model) as well as what software you are using

At the moment you post does not make any sense. You can't burn a video to a CD. Also you can't erase a CD unless it is a rewritable CD