Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

DV tape to computer

profile picture
powderhound100
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 144
So I have this camcorder that records onto DV tapes, but the problem is I can not get it onto my mac. (there is a plug in thing but it won't work on macs for some reason)

Is there some kind of device that I can buy so I can get the video's off of the DV tape and onto my computer?


Thanks
Apr 28 2009 1:20AM
0 0
profile picture
BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
You'll need a firewire cable. It plugs into the camera and into the firewire port on your computer. That is if your Mac has a firewire port.

The unibody macbooks (not pros) don't have firewire, but basically every other one will.

If you don't have a firewire port you're fucked.
Apr 28 2009 1:32AM
0 0
profile picture
powderhound100
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 144
ya I think I have a firewire 400. So pretty much if I get that cord I can just take the video's off the the camera (tape) and put them on the computer? what type of file will they be?
Apr 28 2009 1:54AM
0 0
profile picture
Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
okay so just becuase your camera is connected to the computer it doesn't auto transfer. you have to use at least Imovie or final cut pro. Without a question you need fire wire. Do some research on google or read your manual about how to get footage from your camera
Apr 28 2009 9:44AM
0 0
profile picture
*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
haha.
open iMovie, Click File/Capture, then import video from camera.
Apr 28 2009 10:31AM
0 0
profile picture
Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,633
your right my post was a bit excessive. but jeez the kid could easily figure it out with a little work
Apr 28 2009 10:55AM
0 0
profile picture
SlickRick.
Posts: 4329 - Karma: 300

lol your not fucked at all.. it just may be a hassle and some cash.

youll have to buy and install a firewire adapter for a usb port.. they look like a big micro chip with one flat end, and they slide into the back of your computer.  now this is what i had to do for my pc, but im preetyyyyy sure its the same for mac. just google firewire to usb for mac. youll get a bunch of hits taht will help

Apr 28 2009 2:13PM
0 0
profile picture
powderhound100
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 144
I am sorry if I did not make it clear, the manual that came with my camera came with a program you had to instal onto the computer and it was pc only. Meaning that I could not get it onto my computer since its a mac. I was just made this thread wondering if there was an external device I could buy where I could put the dv tape into that would attach to my computer (and work on a mac) I believe I have gotten my questions answered, I will try it out with a firewire and hopefully it will work.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Apr 28 2009 7:07PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)