Newbie needs help..can't capture video from dig vid cam to computer

[lithnights]

I am a newbie and am hoping someone can help.

I have a 2003 digital (digital eight) vid cam and am simply trying to get video from it into my 1 year old laptop. The Sony vid cam has a USB port and came with a USB wire, which i plug into the USB port of the laptop.

But when I use Windows Movie Maker (version 2.1) to try to "Capture video" an error message tells me "A video capture device was not detected. Verify that a device is turned on and connected properly, and then try again." HUH?

The camera is on, I have reloaded the Sony USB driver software, the cord is connected to both vid cam and computer but I still get the message.

The odd thing is, I was able to capture video about a month ago doing this..after going through the same error message over and over. One time after trying 8 times or so to "capture video", it managed to work and I captured some video. I tried the next day and it didn't work. And hasn't worked since.

1. Is there something I need to do to either Movie Maker or my vid cam in order to utilize Movie Maker? Why would it work one day but not the next?
2. Is there another program (hopefully free or cheap) that I can use?

I simply want to take 30 second snipets or so of my home video and get them onto my computer so I can upload them to a website I use.

Please help!!?????

Thanks in advance!!!

[edDV]

Digital8 and MiniDV camcorders send full resolution video (720x480i) for capture over an IEEE-13944 port, not USB. The USB port is for stills and CIF resolution video (~352x240) for internet webcam use.

You need an IEEE-1394 PC card adapter or capture using another computer that does have an IEEE-1394 port.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124013
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815999001

[lithnights]

Digital8 and MiniDV camcorders send full resolution video (720x480i) for capture over an IEEE-13944 port, not USB. The USB port is for stills and CIF resolution video (~352x240) for internet webcam use.

You need an IEEE-1394 PC card adapter or capture using another computer that does have an IEEE-1394 port.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124013
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815999001

But I am almost positive I have successfully done it before using the USB cable. On this computer, and on my older computer (from 2000 which doesn't even have a iEEE port). That's why I am so confused. I even just reread the manual for the Sony TVR-340 and it says one can indeed use the USB cable (or iEEE to view and copy video imaging. I know the USB cable is not the best way to do it (even the manual says) but I'm pretty sure that's how i have successfully done it in the past. Does that make sense?

In the interim, I will take a look at the iEEE wire.

Thanks!

[edDV]

Digital8 and MiniDV camcorders send full resolution video (720x480i) for capture over an IEEE-13944 port, not USB. The USB port is for stills and CIF resolution video (~352x240) for internet webcam use.

You need an IEEE-1394 PC card adapter or capture using another computer that does have an IEEE-1394 port.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124013
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815999001

But I am almost positive I have successfully done it before using the USB cable. On this computer, and on my older computer (from 2000 which doesn't even have a iEEE port). That's why I am so confused. I even just reread the manual for the Sony TVR-340 and it says one can indeed use the USB cable (or iEEE to view and copy video imaging. I know the USB cable is not the best way to do it (even the manual says) but I'm pretty sure that's how i have successfully done it in the past. Does that make sense?

In the interim, I will take a look at the iEEE wire.

Thanks!

If you got it from USB it was low resolution CIF.

[lithnights]

edDV,

I think I figured out what I had done in the past. I actually did use a firewire to connect my newer laptop to the vid cam. I found the cord connected to my DVR since I use that to transfer from vid cam to DVR. I had forgotten all about that. So THAT (firewire) is how I had gotten some video onto the laptop, so you indeed were correct about that.

But I did look back and I know I did use the USB cable on my older 2000 computer to transfer video years ago. But you were probably right in that it was a lower quality and resolution video.

So all is resolved now, I just used the firewire to successfully transfer from the vid cam to laptop using Movie Maker.

Thanks!!!!