Putting dv tapes to a laptop
 

I used to upload from dv tapes to my pc that had a dv input.

But that old pc died a year ago.

I have a laptop.

But it has no dv input.

So what's the best way to put dv tapes to a laptop to edit them?

In the past I'd transfer/burn them to dvd - then convert them to .avi or .wmv on the laptop.

By "dv input" do you mean Firewire (1394)? I think that was the correct techie name and I think you may be able to use a 1394 to USB cable.

Maybe like this? Ayangyang FW-037 Sony camera 1394 1394 4P cable USB transfer cable DV machine dedicated data cable - Newegg.com

Thats the older USB 2 so the data rate is slower. Might be too slow to capture the footage without drops in data.

If the laptop has a express card slot maybe ?

SEDNA - Express Card 34MM 2 - Port 1394 Adapter Card for Notebook / Laptop Computer - Newegg.com

Just found a fairly recent post on this topic - on a video site - and they seems to clearly say USB conversion won't work correctly and suggest using another person's desktop with Firewire / 1394 (dv)

How to capture video from DV through USB | Videomaker.com

Would something like this work?..

Amazon.com: IEEE 1394 FireWire 6 Pin Female to USB Male Adapter: Computers & Accessories

Is this anything to do with the origin of your name?

I just reviewed a couple of forums - and they are clear that those adapters don't work for video. Not sure of the technical reasons - but many have tried and failed.

There are some expensive adapters built for this - but they run about $175 (US)

The solution for all in this situation seems to be to do the capture from tapes on another computer, so that capture (conversion) is correct, then move the files back to the laptop for editing. Time consuming pain in the but - but works.

Recently I needed to use some old 32-bit software that wouldn't work on Windows 7. I found an old HP desktop on Craig's List for $25 and did my work.

More recently I found a Dell 6700 Mobile Workstation in a pawn shop for $100 - that is fast, has 1394 and many other ports, true-color 1920 x 1080 screen, etc.

My suggestion - use a friends or biy something cheap to let handle the job.

yes

Firewire

I was wondering that. I almost wrote "Just because the adapter fits doesn't mean it'll work." But I didn't have anything to back it up and I'm tired.. :upsidedow



Maybe find an old desktop and get a PCI firewire card?

NO NO NO!!!!!!!

you would lose all the quality that your masters preserve...get a firewire to dv converter run firewire out of the camera into it and capture it pristinely as an uncompressed.avi

i think this is only available with usb3

you could also get a dv camera with a usb out