Mini Dv recording transfer options.

[Frodginald]

I have a couple older mini dv camcorders that I'm pretty happy with. I haven't used them in a couple years and have started to use them frequently. The camcorders have the 4-pin ilink firewire connections. My questions are what are my options to transfer thes either directly to dvd via home theater or through a PC? Looks like firewire went the wayside. I would think there has to be some workaround to get my videos uploaded in some way. I see a lot of the pro camcorders are still mini dv. Thanks

 

[jsmithe]

I have a couple older mini dv camcorders that I'm pretty happy with. I haven't used them in a couple years and have started to use them frequently. The camcorders have the 4-pin ilink firewire connections. My questions are what are my options to transfer thes either directly to dvd via home theater or through a PC? Looks like firewire went the wayside. I would think there has to be some workaround to get my videos uploaded in some way. I see a lot of the pro camcorders are still mini dv. Thanks

If you have a PCI/PCIExpress slot available on your PC, you can get PCI/PCI Express Firewire cards like these:

Amazon.com: pci firewire card
FireWire 3-Port PCI Express Card | FireWire Cables | Computer Cables | Business | Products | Belkin USA Site

which allow you to plugin your camcorder and transfer the digital video to your PC.

 

[jimmy_tulip]

I also have one of those Sony MiniDV camcorder. Along with Firewire, mine comes with a USB cable as well. The transfer rate on USB is slow compared to firewire, but it serves the purpose.

 

[stereorules]

I have a Hi-8/Digital8 sony camcorder ....It has both USB and firewire port ....with USB, I can only get compressed file....whereas with the firewire, I can get the original uncompressed DV file onto my PC..so always use the firewire port ....Also many laptops have a firewire port ....As already someone suggested, get yourself a PCI firewire card ...Its pretty cheap ..i had bought one a long time ago for 400 bucks .....came with a firewire cable and some software....

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

My camcorder has been used but once in the past several years. I'm not really enthusiastic for it, but it's there and it works, when needed.

My audio interface is firewire (yes, it still lives, and will continue to do so until USB3 replaces it) and I do have firewire on the motherboard. PCI or PCIe cards are, as recommended by others, easily available. I even have a card for an old laptop --- but I think that format is no longer used on younger laptops.

 

[Naturelover]

pci firewire card | eBay
sony firewire cable | eBay

 

[Frodginald]

THanks folks