Any Good free programs to just transfer DV from digitalcamcorder to my PC?

[joeAgain------]

Awhile back someone told me that with my JVC MiniDV digital video camera all I had to do was just transfer the video I'd shot to my HardDrive directly thru my Firewire cable. If I got a CD with the Firewire card or MiniDV camcorder for doing this transfer, I've lost them

Can someone please tell me a really good simple free program for just transfering the DV to my PC HardDrive?...and where to find the download site on the internet? (I have other editing programs, once on my PC).

thank you

[jimmalenko]

The "Tools" section to your left would be a good start


https://www.videohelp.com/tools?listuser=&orderby=Type&s=33#33

Free ones are listed at the top. WinDV is highly regarded around here, as is DVIO.

[joeAgain------]

Both those programs for transfering DV look good.
I think before I had to rebuild my computer, I used the WinDV and it worked really well.

But now after rebuilding the OS my computer says it doesn't see a DV minicam video source...even though my JVC MiniDV camcorder is connected to AC power AND my firewire cable to my computer.

HOW do I get WinDV to recognize my camcorder is connected thru my firewire?
Are the drivers, or something I need for my Firewire cable? I don't remember(or find)any CD disk for it.

What now, please?
(kind knowledgable DV users?)

Why can't I transfer my video to my HD file I've told it to "capture" or go into?

[edDV]

You failed to include your OS in the profile.

If current XP, the transfer needs DirectX for DirectShow modes to work.

[joeAgain------]

I'm running XP Pro.
I believe I've installed those...but please tell me HOW to Check to make sure, Please?

(by the way...How do I get the very old useless dazzel "signature" below to quit being added.
I've removed(unchecked it) in my User Profile here. Do I still need to uncheck it with EVERY Post, for cry'n out loud?)

[guns1inger]

Delete it from your profile and remember to save the settings changes.

If you go into device manager (My Computer -> Right-Click and select Manage -> click on Devices), under imaging devices do you see your camera ?

[xxiangg]

Check if your 1394 port is installed properly.

[edDV]

I'm running XP Pro.
I believe I've installed those...but please tell me HOW to Check to make sure, Please?

If you are running XP then it is either a DirectX or port driver/hardware issue.

To check for DirectX go into Programs - Accessories - System Information then Tools and look for DirectX Diagnostic Tool. The tests don't directly test the DirectShow Modes but they show that the basic modes are installed and functional.

On the driver side, look under Device Manager. Look for IEEE-1394 ... then your IEEE-1394 driver. Uninstall the driver and reboot.

[joeAgain------]

How do I verify that my 1394 port is installed "properly"?

A "camera" in Device Manager" Where? Under What, please? I don't see an "Image" area.

I'll Uninstall IEEE-1394 driver and reboot now.

[guns1inger]

If you don't have an Imaging Devices entry under Device Manager then windows is not seeing your camera.

[joeAgain------]

How can I GET it to "see" the camcorder?
I haven't a clue.

I unistalled the Firewire IEEE driver, then rebooted....and the device manager looks just the same. And didn't ask about installing any drivers or Anything.

The panel looks just the same!
?

[jimmalenko]

Do you have a seperate Firewire card, or is it on your motherboard ?

You need to make sure that this is installed and working properly first.

[edDV]

How can I GET it to "see" the camcorder?
I haven't a clue.

I unistalled the Firewire IEEE driver, then rebooted....and the device manager looks just the same. And didn't ask about installing any drivers or Anything.

The panel looks just the same!
?

WinDV should see the camcorder. Your XP, hardware or camcorder is malfunctioning.
We are in diagnostic mode.

First make sure your XP is current. Then, to figure out what is failing try this:

1a. Connect another camcorder to your computer. If it works your camcorder is at fault. Or...

1b. Connect your camcorder to another computer to see if it is working. If so,

2. Try a different IEEE-1394 card. They are cheap. If that doesn't work ...

3. Time to format the drive, reinstall XP and start over.

[joeAgain------]

OK, It's confirmed....I'm An Idiot!

I had the camcorder connected to a USB connection, not the Firewire cable.

Now that I've got the right connection, WinDV "sees" my minicam there, but even though it says it's capturing...the "numbers" on the screen are not turning when I configure, chose a transfer file and click capture. Also, I see nothing on the screen of WinDV during this. My camcorder is on "Play" and I watch it's LCD screen as the video plays on my camera, but nothing ends up in the folder I told WinDV to put the cap in.

What am I not doing?
(sorry about the mess up of using the wrong cable to my computer)

[jimmalenko]

You may need to configure your camcorder to output via the firewire port. I'd suggest your manual as the best place to start.

[zoobie]

You'll see the cap in WinDV's window.
Try another firewire if you can.
You may have inadvertently blown a port.