Video onto PC...best way?

[FrenchTVR]

Can anyone advise me which is the best way to get my video footage of PH DOTY from my Sony HC40 camcorder onto the PC for editing and burning to DVD?
I think I may need an optional lead.
Cheers,

Mci

[shadytree]

Use Windows Movie Maker. Should be on your PC, if not I guess you can download it from Microsoft.
The camera comes with a firewire or USB cable to connect to your PC. Once you run Moviemaker, it's pretty easy to follow the Wizard menu.

If all else fails send me the tapes and I'll be happy to oblige

[luca brazzi]

Firewire lead, firewire socket on your PC...will allow you to get the video as an avi on your PC. Then you need to edit and save as a smaller filesize. eg wmv,mpg.

LB

[FrenchTVR]

Excellent, thanks chaps. Will set too later today.

Mick

[-DeaDLocK-]

Easiest way is to get yourself a Firewire cable.

They look like this:



These are the two types of Firewire (also known as IEEE 1394) jacks - both are shown in the picture above. The small one is a 4-pin jack and the big is 6-pin.

Your video camera will have a 4-pin jack on it. Your PC will either have a 6-pin, 4-pin (especially if it's a laptop) or it won't have one at all. Check by peeking at the back of your PC.

So you need to buy the correct cable, and if you don't have Firewire in your PC you need to buy an internal Firewire expansion card and install it in your PC.

The cable is 10-20 quid at PC World. The card a bit more.

Once you're hooked up via Firewire, run Windows Movie Maker and edit at will. The program is free, and if you don't have it Google for it.

Good luck!

D

[FrenchTVR]

Thanks deadlock, I have a 6 pin expansion card for the PC so will try to get a suitable cable at lunchtime.