Transfer Video w/o i link firewire port???

[Mister Mike]

I am trying to transfer my Hi8 and Digital 8 video's onto my PC so I can burn a dvd. I have a Sony Camcorder which uses a DV in/out to the PC ilink input. (firewire) I don't have this cable and I don't think my PC has a ilink input slot. I tried the usb camcorder to PC hook up but the pc did not see the camera. What do I need to do?

[mwkurt]

Buy a firewire cable for about $20.00 and IEEE card for your compute for about $15.00 and install it. For less than $50.00 you'll be good to go.
Mark

[BJ_M]

get a 15$ firewire card and cable

[Mister Mike]

Ok I will purchase a cable and card. Are they all the same? Since I have a Sony Camcorder do I need to purchase the cable from them? Can I purchase a firewire card or do I need a i link card since I am using a Sony product? I will check the local PC shop but usually the net beats the price by a lot. Can you recommend a software program to convert the videos to dvd. Just the basic's add a menu, titles edit out some stuff. Nothing hi tec is needed. Thanks again for your input.

[thecoalman]

I-link(Sony), firewire(Apple) and 1394(Generic...just the name) are all the same except the name. You may have this port on your computer, do a google image search for it. You'r probably going to need a 4pin to 6pin cable.

For starters you can try Ulead Video Studio, it's fairly easy to use, lot of options, decent quality and it isn't going to set you back a whole lot.

[Mister Mike]

I-link(Sony), firewire(Apple) and 1394(Generic...just the name) are all the same except the name. You may have this port on your computer, do a google image search for it. You'r probably going to need a 4pin to 6pin cable.

For starters you can try Ulead Video Studio, it's fairly easy to use, lot of options, decent quality and it isn't going to set you back a whole lot.

Thanks, I checked the spec in the O&M manual of my pc and there was no mention of a IEEE port. I did not check the back panel yet thought. It is a pain in the ass to pull it out of the desk. Anyway I am not familar with the google image search. I have a Dell Dimension 8200 and I entered that in but it gave me back all different set ups. How do I check which unit is similar to my pc?

[thecoalman]

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=firewire

The larger ones are 6 pin which would probably be the one on your computer but doesn't have to be. The smaller ones that look smilar to a small USB but with a notch are 4-pin and is the one that would be on your cam.

If you have a Audigy soundcard there will be one on there. You can use it but I had trouble using it on my coputer but others have had success. It was just a particular issue with my system.

Edit:Before you go poking around in the back go to start>control panel>system>hardware>device manager and look to see if IEEE 1394 is listed under the devices. If it isn't you need to purchase a card. If it is listed then look to see if there's a external port. Note:just because it listed under device manager doesn't mean that you have a external port you can plug your cam in.

[Mister Mike]

Thanks again. One last question can I purchase any firewire card? Do I need all of the specs from my pc prior to purchase?

[BJ_M]

most any will work - some better than others .

the ads ones are good and not expensive

[thecoalman]

Anyone PCI firewire card will do, you only need a open PCI slot to install it to. Which if your machine is a stock Dell there should be one. The card should come with install instructions but it's really just a matter of opening the case up and plugging it in. Pretty simple.

See the edit on my above post.