I have a JVC Digital camcorder with a DV output. I am looking for recommendations for the best external video capture hardware so I can dump videos from the mini DV tapes to either DVDs or CDs or import into PowerPoint presentations. What do you electronic-savvy guys suggest?

 

Here is the one I'm going to be getting for my home built DVR/multi-media server/gameing console I';'m building. I'll probably be getting this card for it shortly after Christmas.

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-250

It aslo comes with BeyondTV software so you'd also be pretty much set up for a DVR.

 

Looks nice but didnt see any thing for the DV type of input. I just ordered a cable off of eBay that fits my 4-pin DV output from the camcorder and the other end is a standard 6-pin IEEE 1394 Firewire. However, I am not sure if I can transfer motion video to my pc via that route.

I am looking at an external video capture option since that is easier to work with. Not real big on watching tv on my pc, especially since I got my big plasma screen mounted to the wall.

 

Ohh I was thinking analog camera for some stupid reason...

Sorry my poor reading comprehension.

Yea just use your Firewire and transfer files. PC should see it as a Removable Disk. No hardware needed.

You'll need software to edit videos, create movies etc and then to burn to DVD.
Which the cam should have came with some generic video editing software and probably some type of burning software
But just to get it on the Computer just transfer via firewire.

 

The camcorder is a JVC GR-DVL915U. It uses those mini DV cassettes. So, I can still just use the Firewire and xfer to the pc? If so, what kind of video format will I get? MPEG, AVI, MOV? Other?

 

If I'm not mistaken you can simply dump whatever it is into Windows Movie Maker using Firewire, and when you are done editing it will be a .WMV.

 

At our school we used to use a thing called a "dazzle". You would just plug in the a/v jacks to it, then plug it in via USB to your computer. It works great, but now we upgraded to firewire because they are so much faster and easier.

 

Cool, sounds like all I need is that DV-Firewire cable and download Movie Maker for free from Microsoft and I am set. Thanks everyone!

 

That I don't know, I did a quick google search and it doesn't even say on the JVC site.

If I was taking a wild guess I'd say it's native is .mpg format, pretty much the standard for compression vs quality.

Which codec? Your guess is as good as mine. .mpg2, 3, or 4. IDK.

4 is almost the same file size as 2 and3. It's just a cleaner Codec. I'm not sure when that camera was made, so I don't know if 4 was out yet or not.

 

BTW you do have composite S video out and Analog in on that camera too.
Don't know why you need analog in, who edits in camera? But anyway you have it.

You can pretty much use any video capture card of any interface. IDE, PCMIA, USB, FIREWIRE, etc etc etc etc.
You can either capture video from it or transfer files (Transfer would be my choice so you don't have to sit and watch it to record it to Hard Drive).

ETA:
I guess if you have access to sound mixer board, at a school program or something and if you know the audio tech, then you could add an audio out from the sound board to the audio in and get the sound coming from the sound system directly from the stage mic. and have it directly in the video. So guess thats kind of cool.

 

Camera is at least 6 to 7 years old, but still quite feature loaded even for today's cams, just maybe not as modern looking any more. As for native file type and codec? Dont really care since most likely an up-to-date video editor can change what ever format I need to go from in order to make it DVD types or other for various reasons. My main question was can I transfer ANYTHING digitally via my firewire ports? Once my cable gets here I will find out. I have two firewire ports, one on the front of my Dell XPS and one integrated with my Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS sound card.

 

Ya, I have it, and most likely would never use it. I do have S-video out as well as a composite A/V output as well, along with the DV port and a USB 1.1 port. A lot of outputs for such a small hand-held camera.

I want to transfer. Get it on my pc so I can work with the files from there. Basically use the camcorder as a flash drive.

My sound card looks to have plenty of input ports on it that I cant see NOT being able to get A/V together. As long as I can use the firewire to get the movie off the mine DV tapes and onto the pc, I think I can get it from there.

 

I think it said the USB output was just for still images, cant use it for video if I read the site right.

To make a DVD, you can use just a good burning software. I use Nero7 Premium, It has a program called Nero Vision, it will take most any format (except .mov which there is probably a plug-in that would do that too) it will build and burn a DVD to any structure that you want.
Create a main chapter, divide it into scenes, even create a sub-menu with special features if desired. Import audio files, create an interactive disc.

For editing video it's self, I like Adobe Premier, just because thats that I was taught on. It's not user friendly, it is very powerful and it's a resource hog. There are better programs in the same pro category, and there are some decent home user programs that are cheaper and more user friendly, just not as powerful.

For editing Audio, I've been using Audacity. It's a very powerful freeware. (I like Free) and you'll also need the Lame MP3 plug in. to be able to work with and save Mp3's.
I export the audio out of the video, edit/mix it in Audacity, then export it as a mixed MP and import it back into the video. Sync it up and presto an all new audio track. OR... if you just want to add music, you can edit it in audacity then import it into most video editing software and sync it wit hteh existing audio track.
I've also been using Audacity to make my own custom ring tones. (Free) I love that word!!!! It's my second favorite 4 letter F word!

 

Some other software to look at is Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum. It is user friendly (have tried Premiere elements and always went back to the Sony software). It also comes with DVD creation software. Just about and format in or out you want, although you may have to download a encoder/decoder. Normally you don't.

 

Ya, I found that out, and it is only USB 1.1 so it is the slow type, Firewire was way faster than that but USB 2.0 is faster(slightly) than Firewire but that is not an option.

I got the Nero suite but have only used it to back up DVDs and make labels using Lightscribe. I have used Ulead before. Not so user friendly either but once you get the hang of it it is pretty good. Made a presentation DVD with it for some of my wife's coworkers putting on a show where they work.

Mine too!! My favorite 4-letter F word is FOOD!!