Camcorder to PC Connection?

Joindup2 · 29-12-2019, 20:42

I've an old Panasonic camcorder that uses the mini dv tapes and I want to connect it to my PC to download recordings and edit them. I've found some capture/editing software (Filmora) and downloaded it. The camcorder has a 'PC' mode to view images recorded on a memory card.

The instruction manual doesn't cover the PC connection issue.

The camcorder has a small 'DV' port (about 6mm wide), an S video port, a small USB port (Mini B, I think) and a single 'jack' type AV port.

I hear that "you can only do that by firewire."

Can someone tell me what cable/ports to use, please?

pip08456 · 29-12-2019, 21:07

I would suggest you try the mini USB first. If you have an Android phone just use the charge/data cable.

nomadking · 29-12-2019, 22:54

The best thing to do in these sorts of circumstances is find the model number and use Goggle. The manufacturers website might have an online copy of the manual and/or a forum. Often the chances are, somebody else out there has had the same problem.

Taf · 30-12-2019, 10:57

The best option is a video capture card, or even one of the many video transfer leads that have inbuilt hardware to change the format.

I have a couple that work fairly well, but you need fast hard drives or it all goes out of synch quite quickly.

They look similar to this one, but each has different lead types to for different cameras.

**Chris** · 30-12-2019, 11:06

The DV out is FireWire which is preferable to USB B because it is better at sustaining transfer speeds (even though USB B has a higher ‘burst’ speed). But that doesn’t help you if your machine doesn’t have a FireWire card ... Macs tend to have them, PCs tend not to.

I would have thought the USB connection should work ok for you if you’re importing reasonably short clips.

Joindup2 · 31-12-2019, 12:37

Thanks for your replies. My Android phone cable has a different USB socket to the one on my camcorder. However, I have a cable that does fit the USB (A mini B, I think it's called) but I'm missing (or misunderstanding!) a vital link in the process as this connection does not give me motion video on the PC and I can't see how to use the capture/editing software that I've downloaded to download the data from the camcorder.

A FireWire card (Same as a video capture card?) would seem to be a way forward. Can anyone recommend one to a novice!

Being very new to this, there seems to be a lot to get my head around!

pip08456 · 31-12-2019, 13:31

Why don't you see if you can find a user manual online for the camcorder. You would then know what you needed to connect it to the PC.

Joindup2 · 31-12-2019, 15:31

Hello Pip. I have the operating instruction manual that came with the camcorder. Unfortunately, it does not cover connecting it to a computer.

nomadking · 31-12-2019, 15:50

Panasonic have a support forum.
Eg Link

Quote:

What cable do I need to connect my Mini DV (NV- range) camcorder to a computer for video editing?
For video editing the camcorder can be connected via the camcorders 4 pin firewire connection, labelled DV, to a firewire connection on the computer. If your PC does not have a firewire connection conforming to IEEE 1394 standards then this will need to be added to your PC. Your PC manufacture should be able to assist you in this case.