Dv capture to External Hard Drive

[nona]

I am trying to figure out if this will work. Here are the connections of the devices. DV camcorder to External HD via firewire, External HD to laptop via USB. (DV camcorder --firewire--> Ext HD --USB--> Laptop) Obviously the laptop does not have a firewire port.

I want to use a program like WinDv or DVIO to get the video off the camcorder straight to the ext. HD or to the laptop. I thought that I read someplace that this could be done but cant remember how, or even remember if I'm remembering correctly.

When i plug the Dv cam into the ext. HD via firewire the camcorder shows 'DV In' on the lcd screen. But when i start winDV or DVIO on the laptop they do not recognize the camcorder. It does not matter if the program is on the laptop HD or the external.

First, with these connections can this actually be done? If so how exactly? Is there some program that will allow this?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Wile_E]

No, that won't work unfortunately, since there is not a computer between the camcorder and external HD connection. You need to hook up the camcorder directly to your computer firewire or a firewire capture device. The external HD firewire won't work. You can get cheap PCI cards that add firewire to your computer.

[nona]

Thanks Wile_E,

I figured as much. Since its a laptop I am going to need a PCMCIA firewire card. I was looking and some are powered, buy a usb, and some aren't. Do you or anyone else know whats the 'real' difference is, besides being powered or not, and what type is actually needed for transfering video off a DV camcorder? thanks

[gadgetguy]

Powered by USB? That's not what it means. I'm assuming you're looking at combo Firewire/USB PCMCIA cards. Powered means the USB port will provide power for USB powered devices, non-powered will require that the USB device needs it's own power supply. Either will work for you since you are only interested in the Firewire port for your DV cam.

[nona]

thanks gadgetguy, but here is what i was looking at.

hxxp://cgi.ebay.com/3-port-Firewire-Cardbus-PCMCIA-card-adapter-Power-cable_W0QQitemZ180034721766QQihZ008QQcategoryZ6026 9QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


but if you say that a normal one without optional power connector is ok then great, I'll have to get one. Out of curiousity what is one like the above one for if firewire things will without extra power. Or are there some firewire things that need more power supplied like this.

thanks

[gadgetguy]

Firewire devices generally don't draw power from the port like USB devices often do. However the spec calls for providing 1.5 amps per port and in the PCMCIA card you linked to, if all three ports were in use, it could tax the interface. The included power cord allows you to connect to the USB port on the laptop to provide supplimental power. Your cam won't be drawing power from the Firewire port so any normal one should be OK. That one would be ok too, without even using the power cord.

[nona]

thanks for the info. appreciate it.