Newbie that doesnt know much and doesnt know where to put her query.

[emilymeg]

Hi all

brand new here and in need of some help

Apologies in advance that I don't know all that much about my computer! Fingers crossed you nice people can help.

I just bought a JVC GR-D340EK. I have a firewire cable that fits my new camcorder and my pc.

My Pc doesnt appear to register anything when I attach my camcorder.

How do I go about uploading videos from my minidv camera to my computer?

many thanks in advance

[mats.hogberg]

How do I go about uploading videos from my minidv camera to my computer?

You use WinDV in your computer.

/Mats

[oldandinthe way]

Does your camera come with a manual and software?

If so, read the manual and install the software.

[thecoalman]

Cameras differ but most will work by connecting the cable, turn it on to VCR mode. You should hear the familiar "dunk,dunk" sound that a new device is connected. Check My Computer to see if it's listed under scanners and cameras. If it's not listed rthen windows is not recogizing it, check the manual to see if you need to install drivers or change anything in the menu settings on the cam, drivers should only be need for a USB connection.

[emilymeg]

Sorry, didnt make myself clear.

I connected it, turned it on to play mode. No - "dunk dunk".

Cant find it in 'my computer'.

In the manual thingy that came with it, it merely says "It is also possible to transfer still/moving images to a PC with a DV connector by using the software equipped with the PC or commercially available software"

I will download winDV.

It didnt come with any drivers, and in the manual under "Connection to a Personal Computer" it doesnt say anything useful about menu settings on the cam.

[emilymeg]

I have winDV now and it doesnt seem to be picking it up.

The firewire port is on the front of the PC - is there any chance it might not be connected properly?

[mats.hogberg]

Depends on what computer you have. Could be a main board without Firewire support fitted in a case with Firewire connector - or just a cable not connected.

/Mats

[thecoalman]

If you can't see it in My Computer you first have to get windows to recognize the cam. Why it's not recognizing it can be a variety of reasons. Bad cable, somthing wrong with the cam, faulty connection internally in your computer...etc Have you successfully used this port before?

First go to start>control panel>system>hardware>device manager> Make sure there are no question marks next to any of the devices, additionally you should have a device labeled IEEE 1394 bus host controllers

Second thing I would do is find another computer that has firewire port that is known to work and try the cam on that. Vice verse if you can get a hold of another cam try it on your computer.

[emilymeg]

thanks

No I have not used this port before so it could be that. I will find someone who uses their firewire port.

The camcorder works fine in every other respect, I think its more likely to be the firewire port or, the actual firewire cable!

thanks

[emilymeg]

First go to start>control panel>system>hardware>device manager> Make sure there are no question marks next to any of the devices, additionally you should have a device labeled IEEE 1394 bus host controllers

hmm I appear to not have that device. What might that mean?

THanks for the helpfulnes

[thecoalman]

Does the cabler you are using to connect the cam to the computer look exactly like this?

[emilymeg]

Here are the bits and pieces I am using - the computer port, the dv bit on the camcorder, and the cable.

incidentally the USB ports next to the firewire port on the computer, they work fine.

[TheFamilyMan]

hmm I appear to not have that device. What might that mean?

From what you've stated it seems that internally your computer does not have a firewire, even though the case has a connector for it (IMO that is a bit strange). If possible, check your computer's owner's manual to see if it really has a firewire device. It should also have instructions for connecting these devices as well, but it sounds like this is not a problem for you. If your computer really does not have a firewire, you can install a firewire PCI card that can be internally connected to case's connector. A local computer shop would be able to do that for you, or you could do it yourself. It's really quite easy to do; a local computer shop might do it for free if you bought the card from them.

[JonnyCabs]

Where did you buy the computer from

I bought last year from Mesh, who use a generic case which has
both USB and Firewire ports on the front and the back.

The USB cards are pre-installed automatically but not the Firewire

Whilst the ports are there i would have needed to ask them to supply with a Firewire card installed for any of these type of ports to work.

This is most likely the answer to your problem, and therefore TheFamilyMan's suggestion is spot-on. Go to your local shop and ask them to install a Firewire card.

As an afterthought - Could you not connect the camera using USB and save yourself all the hassle ??

[thecoalman]

As an afterthought - Could you not connect the camera using USB and save yourself all the hassle ??

USB gives a low quality video, to get the full DV you need to use firewire.

[dfluke]

I had the same problem with my camcorder and PC. The only way my PC would recognize my camcorder was when it was set to the camera mode (recorder mode.) Once my PC recongnizes my PC I have to set the camcorder to playback mode. Why? I'm not sure, but I think it is because in camera mode you can use the camcorder as a webcam.

[emilymeg]

Apart from the fact USB give pretty low quality video, I dont have a usb thingy on the camcorder. Clearly things like making my life difficult

My local computer shop in my village installed my PC, I will give them a ring and ask them about the problem. It does sound possible that there isnt a firewire card installed.

Thanks Everyone.

Oh also, does anyone have an approx idea of how much the firewire card will be?

[mats.hogberg]

Dirt cheap. If UK prices are like here, around £20 tops.

/Mats

[sg2007]

I'm not sure this will help but on my camera I have to go into the camera settings and under "streaming" i have to select "on".

[emilymeg]

thanks everyone.

My local computer shop are coming out weds morning so will hopefully sort it

[emilymeg]

Wanted to say cheers, sorted now, it needed a firewire card

[edDV]

As an afterthought - Could you not connect the camera using USB and save yourself all the hassle ??

That camcorder isn't capable of quality video transfer over USB. Few consumer models are.

The quality path is DV tape to IEEE-1394 to computer hard disk. The transferred video in the disk file will be digitally identical to the data on tape.

[mats.hogberg]

Wanted to say cheers, sorted now, it needed a firewire card

Great - always nice to see this kind of feedback.

/Mats