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How do you put dv's on the computer? - I'm trying to find a respectable quality camera for personal use, but the only decent ones in my price range use dv's or minidv's. How would I be able to put these on the computer to tinker with and stuff?

Best Answer: MiniDV tape: using a firewire cable (not USB), connect the camcorder's DV port (not USB) to the computer's firewire port (not USB). Launch the video editor. Import or Capture the video. Most professionals continue to use miniDV tape because it stores DV/HDV format is the least compressd and lowest $/gig storage in the camcorder space. USB-to-firewire cable/converter/adapter/hub things will not work. DVD: Finalize the disc in the camcorder. Take the disc out of the camcorder and put it in the drawer loading (not slot loading) DVD drive in the computer. Rip the video using a ripper like HandBrake. When the conversion is done, quit the ripper, launch the video editor and drag the ripped files to the "Capture" area. Standard def video captured by these DVD camcorders was never meant to be edited. The video is compressed a LOT. This will be the worst video quality after importing and editing. Hard disc drive or flash memory (standard definition video): connect the camcorder to the computer with a USB cable. Copy the video files. Convert the video files using a transcoder like MPEG StreamClip. When the conversion is done, quit the converter application, launch the video editor and drag the converted files to the "Capture" area. Hard disc drive or flash memory save basically to the same compressed files types. Not as compressed as DVD standard def video, but more than miniDV tape. Hard disc drive camcorders has problems with high altitude and vibration and along with a few other reasons are not recommended. If you cannot connect to the computer's firewire port, then flash memory (using USB) is the only viable option. - Little Dog

Mac's are fine. Remember, computers are just tools for use. mini DV tape is a viable source for production. it's still in use by many pro's, corp's and even schools. To transfer miniDV, you need to use your video editing program, iMovie, and hook up your camera via firewire. You need a 6 pin to 4 pin or 4 pin to 4 pin cable. The cam is 4 pin, your computer will decide whether you use a 4 or 6 pin cable. the capture function in iMovie is how you'll bring the video into your cpu. it'll take real time, eg, 10 minutes of footage will take 10 minutes. - dgey1

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