MiniDV to DVD - How To?

[LVW]

I have a JVC GR-D30U MiniDV recorder and have taken tons of video with it over the past few years of family gatherings, etc. My question is...how can I get that video from the tape to my computer where I can edit and burn DVDs for family members? The only cable my camera came with is the yellow/red/white av cable for viewing the tape on the tv. Is it possible to convert to a digital file on my computer with this camera and cable?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Seriously confused,
LVW

[guns1inger]

You need to buy a firewire cable and firewire card. Shouldn't cost you more than $30. Use WinDV to transfer the video to your PC, then edit and author with the software of your choice.

Note : DV requires approx 13 GB per hour of footage. You need space to store it, space to save it, and space to convert it. It is worth budgeting for an second HDD to help speed this up.

Finally, you need to do lots of reading. Look at the How To section (to your left) and read, read, read.

[tinker]

According to specifications your camera has iLink which is Sony name for firewire. I am sure your computer has firewire input, just go and get firewire cable, connect to your computer and download into your editing software.
Check your camera manual, most cameras have mini firewire connector on camera, smaller than what is on computer.
Hi guns1 we just posted at the same time. I am late because I was checking specs for that camera.

[LVW]

Thanks for the advice this will get me started. How would I know if my computer has a firewire input?

[edDV]

Thanks for the advice this will get me started. How would I know if my computer has a firewire input?

Firewire = IEEE-1394 = ILink, probably more confusing names.

Check you manual.

If you don't have one you will need a card like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=IEEE%2D1394%20ca...nd&Order=PRICE

And a cable like this
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/ieee1394_cables.html



WinDV will get the digital data to your drive. What editing software do you expect to use?

[LVW]

Didnt know I needed editing software. This sounds like a big job. Maybe too big.

[edDV]

What are you trying to do?

[SingSing]

Thanks for the advice this will get me started. How would I know if my computer has a firewire input?

Open "My computer", and look under hardware properties for 1394 host controller. See picture :

[thecoalman]

Didnt know I needed editing software. This sounds like a big job. Maybe too big.

Really depends on how much time you want to put into it. Going from your cam to DVD can only require a few minutes of your time with simple software.

Set up the capture... go have a beer.

Come back, open a program like convertxtodvd...go have another beer

Open a burning application...burn disc...go have another beer.

Remove disc from tray watch on tv... while drinking a beer.


--------------------

Or you can spend the time to learn to do it right and get some real good results.

[mats.hogberg]

@LVW:Please use a subject that describe your question. I've changed it for you this once. You can change it yourself by editing your first post in this thread.

/Mats

[LVW]

ok. I got the firewire card 1394 and installed it today. I also got the suggested cable but when I plug the camera in and try to import using windows movie maker an error message comes up that says my computer does not find the DV camera. I have the camera on in the play mode. Any ideas? This is very frustrating...

[JohnnyMalaria]

ok. I got the firewire card 1394 and installed it today. I also got the suggested cable but when I plug the camera in and try to import using windows movie maker an error message comes up that says my computer does not find the DV camera. I have the camera on in the play mode. Any ideas? This is very frustrating...

Does WMM show the camera in the list but gives an error when you select it?

If so, do you have any other video apps loaded such as utilities from Nero or Pinnacle? Or perhaps software that came with the camcorder? These can "hijack" the camcorder making it unaccessible to other apps though the other apps can still "see" that it is there.

[Lawbringer]

ok. I got the firewire card 1394 and installed it today. I also got the suggested cable but when I plug the camera in and try to import using windows movie maker an error message comes up that says my computer does not find the DV camera. I have the camera on in the play mode. Any ideas? This is very frustrating...

This is a known issue with JVC cameras if you are running XP with Service Pack 2 installed. If you look around, you will probably find all kinds of suggestions, including installing a questionable patch and modifying the registry (which I would advise against).

The way I was able to get it to work with a JVC camera was the following:

1. Turn on PC
2. Connect camera to PC (make sure camera is off)
3. Turn camera ON (play mode)
4. Check with WinDV (highly recommend it) to see if it recognizes that the camera is connected.

If not recognized:

5. Turn off the camera (do NOT disconnect from PC)
6. Turn off PC
7. Turn camera ON (play mode)
8. Turn on PC.
9. Check again with WinDV

This has worked for me several times with JVC.
Or, you could see if anyone you know has a non-JVC Mini DV camera, and borrow it to avoid all the hassle

Let us know if this helps

[pepegot1]

I transfer my VHS items to my DVD recorder using a 1394 firewire. Then, Rip to my PC, with DVDFab and use VideoRedo to edit. Finally, I burn with TDA.

[LVW]

I am running windows vista and tried everything mentioned above still with zero luck.....

[Lawbringer]

I am running windows vista and tried everything mentioned above still with zero luck.....

did you try this?

Or, you could see if anyone you know has a non-JVC Mini DV camera, and borrow it to avoid all the hassle

[LVW]

no one has one they will lend.