Sony dcr h26 - how to capture contents of miniDV

[siopawman]

my pc:
celeron 420 = 1.6Ghz
1 gb memory
80gb harddisk, 40gb free.
no video input device.

this camera has a mini-USB port, i don't know exactly what it is for, but i have downloaded the drivers for it. it also has a DV port (is this port the same as firewire?), and an A/V port. it comes with an A/V cable. (btw, it was given to us by my auntie, i went to Sony website and it says that their product comes with a CD).

since i don't have any capture device, can I use the USB port to transfer the contents of the miniDV? is this possible? or a video capture device is a total must?

i really don't know why this camera has a USB port, it doesn't have a memory stick in it.

i hope someone helps...

thanks!

[Baldrick]

You might be able to use usb-port but you might just be able to capture/copy low resolution video.

But I would use the dv / firewire port. You can get a cheap firewire pci card for your computer if you haven't one already.

And I'm moving you to our dv section.

[siopawman]

thanks for the reply...

but how do i do it..?

when i plug the DV cam to my PC, it recognizes it. i don't see my DV cam in the "My Computer", so what do i do after that?

i know im struggling, so please bear with me.

thanks!

[guns1inger]

You use an application such as WinDV, or even Window Movie Maker, to transfer the footage to your PC. If you use Windows Movie Maker, make sure you transfer the footage as DV AVI, and not WMV. WinDV will only let you transfer it as DV.

[siopawman]

errr....

im going to use my USB cable, i have just downloaded WinDV, will it work over USB? (the description states over DV / Firewire)...

what software should I use over USB?

Thanks.

[guns1inger]

No, it wont.

If you use Windows Movie Maker you will get low res, low quality WMV files.

If your camera does support DV over USB (and I don't believe Sony cameras do) then you will have to install drivers from a CD which came with your camera.

DV is the way to go, and should be relatively fool proof.

What problems are you having at the moment ?