Can I capture DV footage through my external drive?

[Batman Sausage]

Hi there,
this question has been asked in various ways, but I haven't found a clear and simple answer.
Here is my situation:

I just bought a new Dell laptop and I took it for granted that virtually no new PC laptops have firewire ports. I have a DV camcorder that has a firewire out. My laptop only has USB, HDMI ans eSATA ports. So... I bought an external hard drive (IOEMGA EGO). It has 2 firewire ports (big and small) as well as a USB port (which powers the drive). So... I plugged the drive into my laptop through USB and the camcorder to the external HD via firewire. My laptop recognizes the HD, but I can't get my editing software to recognize the camcorder and capture footage.

WHAT CAN I DO?

I've read some mention that only certain kind of drives can capture video from a camcorder. I might be wrong, but I seem to remember people with MACs being able to capture stuff from camcorders through their external HDs. Is that not possible with a PC laptop?

I considered returning this laptop for one with a firewire port, but it's virtually impossible to find an inexpensive PC laptop with a firewire port. I really don't want to have to buy a new camcorder as mine works great. I ordered a firewire/USB cable on eBay, but everything I've read online suggests this cable shouldn't exist, let alone work. It only cost me $3, so if I got ripped off, it's not for much. But lets assume for a moment that this simple cable won't work. That's why I bought this external drive with both types of ports. To act as a intermediary between my camera and my laptop.

I hope this is very clear. I'd love someone who really knows their stuff to help me out and give me some useful advice.
Thanks!

[Baldrick]

Moving you to our dv section.

[Vidd]

Most notebooks have PCMCIA / PC Card / ExpressCard expansion slots.

Check what slot your Dell has and buy a firewire card. Amazon and Newegg both carry them.

[Cornucopia]

Yeah, get a card like that. The Harddrive thing you were thinking of was a very specialty and expensive variation (probably a Firestore). Regular HDs can't do that. It would need transfer-controlling firmware.

Scott

[edDV]

If your laptop lacks a PCMCIA / PC Card / ExpressCard expansion slot, then you need a separate PC for capture. Don't toss the old one. A PIII with IEEE-1394 port is good enough for DV capture to an internal hard drive.

A Focus Firestore drive is nice but very expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/Firestore%C2%BF-FS-4-Recorder-Direct-Technology/dp/B000KBMEOY

[Batman Sausage]

yeah, almost all new laptops don't have a PCMCIA slot.
I think I'll just have to get a new camcorder. I'm shocked at how cheap these new little HD cams are.