How can I transfer MiniDV tapes to my computer?
I want to put a film together to give to my parents for Christmas of the best clips of our family home videos. I have multiple MiniDV tapes that contain the footage I need. The camera that the footage was recorded on is broken. Is there a converting unit I can buy to convert these tapes to my PC? I do NOT have a Firewire port, or else I would just buy buy a new camera and convert using that. My PC specs: 64 Bit Windows 7 i3, 8Gb Ram, 1 USB 3.0 port, 1 USB 2.0 port, and HDMI.
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You will not only need a camera, it is best if you use the same Brand and Model as the original. Otherwise, there are decks (generally about $1000).
I would test the playback of any camera before purchase, so go local via things like pawn shops or craigslist.
The camera gets you playback. Now for the computer. If you have an expansion slot open, $15 gets you a firewire PCI card and another $15.00 for a firewire cable. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE FULL DIGITAL QUALITY from this format (which actually has much higher data density then HD!).
Alternately, you can spend $45-$100 on an analogue video capture device (Dazzle makes several) that will plug into the cameras "Video out", usually a 3.5mm plug for the camera and RCA for audio and video. Might also be S-Video plus a 3.5mm for audio. This Option will give you about the same quality as VHS tape.
OR..... you could send the tapes to a transfer service to have them converted to files on a thumb drive, hard drive, DVD, or Blu-Ray.
DO NOT HAVE THEM CONVERTED TO DVD VIDEO. You want the original uncompressed files. DVD compresses the files from about 13 gigs/hr to less than 5 gigs/hr.
That sounds like a Laptop. What you need to do is go get the same model camcorder, you have to buy it used or borrow one for a week or so. For the Laptop, what you need is one of these - http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/startech-start... Install it in the expansion port of your Laptop. Than get a Firewire cable to connect the Camcorder and the IEEE1394 port device. If you do not have an Expansion port on your laptop, sorry you can forget this project, or get someone who has MiniDV cameras, pay them to edit this out for you.
Minidv camcorders choose for a firewire connection no longer usb. USB is for downloading stills. Your pc desires a firewire port. in the journey that your pc would not have a firewire port and maximum do no longer, you will could purchase a firewire card and deploy it and then purchase a firewire twine. Firewire to USB do no longer artwork.
google video transferring, there are companies that do this but it might be pricey.