Need to instal IEEE 1394 DV Terminal

[NormanB]

I am not sure if this is the right forum. I am not very computer/video proficient. I have tried to search for an answer for my question but can't find the right one. I have recently purchased a Canon Elura Digital Video Camera. I want to down load the movies to my computer. The camera instruction said that I need a IE 1394 DV Video Terminal. My computer doesn't have one. It is a 1year old Dell with Window XP Home Edition. I don't know how to go about adding the DV port. The camera did come with a cable with a 4 pin DV prong on one end and USB on the other. I was afraid to plug it in because the instruction manual only show using a IE 1394, 4 pin or 6 pin.

[dnix71]

IEEE 1394 is firewire, standard on Macs, but not common on pcs. You can get a firewire pci card to plug an empty slot on your desktop. You don't need drivers. The plug sizes of the cable are standard/mini. the big one won't fit your usb port, it isn't usb.

This one is only $15 and comes with an extra cable.

http://www.firewire-1394.com/firewire-3-port-pci-card-fb4103.htm

[JohnnyMalaria]

It is a 1year old Dell with Window XP Home Edition.

Are you certain? Most PCs within the last year or two have integrated FireWire on the motherboard.

What model of Dell do you have?

[redwudz]

NormanB, this is what the plug would look like, usually a 6 pin FireWire on most cards or computers. Laptops may use a mini version:



Notice that one side is rounded, while a USB plug is flat on both sides.

But a PCI FireWire card would be easy to install if you need one. Most camcorders use a mini four pin to a regular six pin cable. You also need a transfer program. WinDV is one.

And welcome to our forums.

[NormanB]

My desktop is a Dell Dimension 3000 which I purchased in the summer of 2005. There definitly is no port that would accomodate a four or six pin DV cable.. Can a novice computer person install a port or do I have to take it to a computer shop. ( I am mechanically inclined, but I have never tinkered with a PC).
What would happen if I connected the 4 pin/usb cable from my camera to the computer?

[JohnnyMalaria]

Can a novice computer person install a port or do I have to take it to a computer shop. ( I am mechanically inclined, but I have never tinkered with a PC).

Certainly - all you need is a Philips screwdriver.

Here are some general guidelines to follow for installing a FireWire card:


Unplug your PC and open the case.
While working inside your case, place one hand on your PC's power supply at all times to properly ground yourself. Doing this will lessen the chance of static electricity seriously damaging any of the hardware inside your case. When the unit is disconnected, the power supply is not dangerous.
Seat the card in an available PCI slot.
Secure the card to the case using the screw that came with the card.
Put the cover back on your case and plug the power cord back into your PC.
Don't attempt to plug anything into the FireWire card at this time.
Turn your computer on.

[redwudz]

Generally the USB cable and connection from a DV camera is for low resolution video, such as you might put on the web. If you have DV output from your camera, that's what you want to use. It's fairly easy to install a PCI card. If you can remove the left side cover from the computer, you should see something similar to this:



Unplug the computer and remove the appropriate rear PCI slot cover, plug in the card. You usually don't want to use the card slot directly below the video card, but any other will do. Then secure the card in with a screw. Some cases use different methods of securing the cards, but it will be obvious.

If you want a general idea about how a computer is constructed, take a look at my guide for building a computer: http://pages.suddenlink.net/sredwudz/index.htm

[NormanB]

Thanks for the advice. I'll order one of the cards and give it a try. I'll let you know how I make out.

[NormanB]

I have a follow up question before I purchase the Firewire port/card for my desktop computer. Since yesterday I was able to down load my movies to my wife's laptop, it had a DV port. I used Windows Movie Maker to make a 37 minute movie. When I saved it to the laptop it took 2 hours. Then when I played it back and it was not a clear as it is when I hook up the digital video camera directly to the tv. I also made a DVD and it was not very clear.
Should I purchase some other software for my desk top that will make a movie? The Firewire link that was provided to me in this forum also had a package for the Firewire port/card and software for around $ 60.00.
Should a movie that I make be as clear as the mini DV tape from the camera?

[JohnnyMalaria]

I used Windows Movie Maker to make a 37 minute movie. When I saved it to the laptop it took 2 hours. Then when I played it back and it was not a clear as it is when I hook up the digital video camera directly to the tv?

Video displayed on the PC will never look quite as clear as on a TV. The phosphor dots on a TV CRT screen are designed to be "brighter" than those on a PC's monitor. Also, regular TV is interlaced whereas a PC display isn't. DV video is interlaced (unless you have progressive recording) and, displayed on a PC, doesn't look quite right. Also, when you saved the WMM video, did you save it as DV format or WMV? Unless you tell it otherwise, WMM defaults to WMV which will tend to reduce the clarity/quality compared to the original DV material.

[Richard_G]

Windows Movie Maker cannot encode to DVD compliant mpeg2 so has to downgrade everything to either mpeg1 or wmv. It would probably be better for you to just buy the card and then get something like Ulead VideoStudio (www.ulead.com). The bundled software may be fine but it is often a cut down version that is missing a few features. You will the be able to produce full DVD quality which shouldn't look any worse than the original DV.

[NormanB]

I'm not sure if anyone is still following this thread, but I wanted to thank everyone for their help. I bought and installed a PCI card. It works great. The advice I got was very helpful. I have been away for a couple of weeks so I am just getting a chance to say thanks.