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Can I transfer videos from s Canon ZR45mc camcorder without a firewire port on my computer?

I have a Canon ZR45mc camcorder and video on a miniDV tape. I want to transfer the videos onto my computer. I showed the camera to a guy at RadioShack and he showed me a USB cable to pplug in, but I found that this camera only works for firewire. I, however, don't have a firewire port on my Acer netbook. How can I get these videos onto my computer?

Thanks!

Public Comments

1. a miniDV vcam (also, Digi-8) must be DV~Firewire400 ~IEEE1394* cable-connected to a pc or mac to upload video thru video editing** or capture application while vcam is ON PLAYBACK. Most (digital) tape vcams have 4-pin DV ports; BUT before cable* purchase, check computer for DV port {VCAM@4-pin=>firewireCABLE=>PC@ 4pin? or 6pin?}. If none, install firewire card: pci for desktop or pcmcia / express for laptop.
* http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/315100-0-0-225-121.html <<<USB doesn’t work on Vista
~ http://computers.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_npmv=3&_trksid=m38.l1311&_nkw=firewire+card&_sacat=58058

Try iMovie or entry-level editor Movie Maker** (w/Vista/wmm6 & XP/wmm2)-simple & easy to learn: see Tutorial->How to make a Movie
** http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/getstarted/default.mspx
~ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308464

Some options to share your movie:
a. Upload to YouTube
~ http://www.google.com/support/youtube/
b. Burn to DVD disc: use DvD authoring app (DvD Maker; Nero; DvD Flick, etc)
~ http://www.windowsdvdmaker.com/guides/Beginner/

Upgrade to intermediate video editing** application accdg. to need & skill level
~ http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

2. Netbooks are not designed to be used for video editing.

Some netbooks have an expansion slot - either PCMCIA or ExpressCard - most do not. If yours has one, get an expasion card. If it does not, then it is suggested that you get a computer designed to handle the rigors of video editing in your case, preferably one with a firewire port, or an available expansion slot so you can add one.

USB will not work - you already know this... USB-to-firewire cable/converter/hub/adapter things won't work, either. Analog/digital converters will work, but the video quality won't be very good... Pinnacle (Dazzle) or Roxio are a good place to start.

3. If you don't have a FireWire port, the only answer is an analogue transfer, with a corresponding loss of quality. You need an S-video ouput cable from the port on the camera, and the STV-250N stereo-video cable connected to the AV port (details on page 35 of the camcorder manual). The other ends of the cables go into a video-USB adapter which plugs into the computer.

Having typed all that I have just found the FireWire-USB adapter does exist
http://www.usbfirewire.com/uadapters.html

It's a more expensive solution, but less of a fiddle. I have no idea how well it works

4. USB will not work, the transfer rate is too slow. The same is true for a firewire to USB adaptor.

You can add a firewire port to your computer with relative ease via the PCI or PCMCIA slot. Check out this guide for details on how to add a firewire port to your computer:
http://www.stashspace.com/video-editing/firewire-guide.stm

Another option is to have a video transfer service like StashSpace convert your miniDV tape to a digital file for you. Costs $6.95 per tape.

5. You have to use a firewire.

Suggestion... download to a friends computer and transfer to flashdrive.