Firewire / USB / Capture device

[GovertdeKat]

Hi all,

I have I Sony DCR-TRV12E/TRV14E camcorder. I would like to capture my DV movies on my PC. My computer does not have a Firewire connection.

Which solution is the best:

- using a capture device and hooking that up to your pc
- connecting the camcorder directly to your pc using usb

Any thoughts?

[jagabo]

Some devices are better than others but it's not the interface that makes the difference. But firewire capture is better than both because it's basically a file transfer -- the digital data on the tape is copied to the computer and put in a file. You end up with an exact copy of what's on the tape. Using an analog capture device incurs several losses of quality, converting digital to analog, transmission noise in the cables/connetors, then converting the analog video back to video.

[GovertdeKat]

Ok, thank you. So no capture device. What is the best way to do it without a firewire connection? For now, I only see one solution: buying a PCI-card. Am i correct?

[jagabo]

Yes, you need a PCI or PCIe card, whatever is appropriate for your computer. Look for one with a Texas Instruments chip. Some of the others don't work for video.

[Eric-jan]

Firewire to USB interface between cam and pc ?
or add a Firewire PCI card into your pc, that would be better than USB.
https://www.amazon.com/Ports-Firewire-IEEE1394-Controller-firewire/dp/B00312MXRM/ref=p...09D51DF4DPBJAX

[jagabo]

Firewire to USB interface between cam and pc ?

They work for hard drives but I've never hear of one that works for DV devices.