JVC miniDV prob.

[Chulo]

I guess I am stuck at something basic. I have a JVC miniDV and a computer without a firewire card. I could purchase the firewire but I don't know if my camcorder has a firewire output. It has an "S" output. I think I've been transfering digital stills to my PC through USB ports which I guess the computer and the camera have. I'm not sure if I can capture through USB though? Ulead doesn't recognize the connections I have set up. Anyone can help?

[jamesy]

Chulo,
I have a Jvc MiniDV camera and it has svideo and rca connections on the side and the firewire(also know as i-link, or DVin/out), jlip & pc connector under a cover at the back. I use firewire to transfer to my computer and it works a treat. For the usb side of things mine doesn't have usb maybe yours is a newer model which has it and I would assume it's posible to transfer through usb but it may be only good for pictures, as for firewire can transfer speeds upto 400Mbits/s where as usb1 is upto 12Mbits/s.

Hope that info was in some knid of way helpful,

Jamesy.

[thebatjeep]

My JVC MiniDV Camera has a firewire port on the camera body that is exposed when you open up the LCD screen. if its a MiniDV camera, it has firewire/i-link. reguardless of brand or model.

[Chulo]

Thanks for the help guys...I've been trying to look for a number to call JVC but their website doesnt list anything and the manual doesn't have any support numbers either. In any event it seems all JVC miniDVs have firewire slots so all I need to get now is a firewire card for my PC. What do you guys use that recomend. Thanks!

[jamesy]

Firewire cards are all pretty well the same from the cheapest to the deerest. The only difference is usually the software which comes with it but you already have that by the sounds of it so just buy a cheap one without software. If your using Windows Me upwards you wont require any drivers (highly recommended XP for camera compatiblity though). But the card should probable still have some drivers and a basic(trail) version of software anyhow. I use a cheap card myself without any hassles.

Good luck.

[thebatjeep]

I bought the cheapest card i could find, cause i already had software. but it is a good idea to buy a firewire board that is meant for DV cameras, becuse they come with the firewire cable you need (along with some video soft, mine came with ulead). ive seen standalone firewire boards that cost more then the bundle i bought and they dont come with the cable.