[cwolfe98]

MERRY X-MAS EVERYONE ! ! !

In keeping with every true holiday tradition I got a gift that I cannot figure out how to use it.

I got a Canon ZR65MC Digital Camcorder. It records video to a small digital video cassette (DVC) and/or to a SD memory card. You can also take still photos and save them on to the card.

My problem/question is..... how can I download the video from the DVC to the PC? (I want to burn it to DVD) I figured out how to download the pictures from the SD card. The 50000000 page instruction book never really states how to download video from the DVC... it only mentions the SD card. I went to Canon's website and found this little nugget of info:

How do I transfer video and stills to my computer?

The DV Camcorder is equipped with a DV port which permits downloading video and still images to a computer using an IEEE-1394 (firewire) interface. The ZR45MC, ZR50MC, ZR65MC, ZR70MC, Elura 40MC, Optura 200MC, and GL2 also have a USB port on the camcorder for downloading still images only from the MMC/SD card.

Why wasn't a firewire cable included with my digital video camera kit?

Firewire ports (camera or computer) come in two configurations -- 4 pin or 6 pin. Canon's digital video cameras have a 4-pin DV (digital video) port, whereas most firewire capture cards are configured with a 6-pin port. A 4-pin to 6-pin cable would work for most users, but some may have a 4-pin port on their computer, and some may want to transfer their digital video to another digital device which is configured with a 4-pin port. Other users may not have a computer with firewire capability or the resources to process and edit digital video files, which are very large, and therefore do not need the cable at all.

For these reasons, Canon has not packaged a cable with the camcorder. The proper cable (appropriate connectors) are widely available commercially at a nominal cost.

What is an IEEE-1394 (firewire) interface?
I did a google search and found a bunch of cards that you can internally install but it looks like the interface is usb?! I need the red/yellow/white interface (i think). The camera came with a usb cable and another cable with one plug on one end (looks the same as my headset plug for my cell phone but slightly larger - male end) and the other end has the red & yellow & white plugs. (just like my DVD player uses to the TV.)

I realize i need another cable... (unless I can use the red-yellow-white cable some how... or if I go buy a fireware cable where whould I plug it into the PC... what kind of connection is it?

HELP ! ! ! !

[buck52]

to use firewire you need a firewire cable and a firewire card...installs and looks just like a usb card but the cable connector is slightly different..

sounds like they don't include cable or card...

the cable you describe sounds like it might hook direct to your dvd recorder

Hopefully someone with much more video knowledge will hop in

buck

[cwolfe98]

Thanks Buck (and happy B-Day)

My DVD R/W does not have any plugs on it, just an "open/close" btn.

I think I just might have to go get a firewire cable and a firewire card. I was just hoping someone knows a way around all that.

[MustBNuts]

Let us know what kind of computer you have, you may have firewire on it already. Then it's just a matter of determining which kind you have (4 or 6) and if you need the adapter they mention.

The firewire on my computer looks similar to USB but is shaped differently: USB is square/rectangle while the firewire (end that goes into the computer, is rectangle with an arrow type shape on one side. Both types of cable have a smaller plug to go into your appliance, but the USB is almost like a half-circle while the firewire is like a small square with one side dented in.

Hope this helps,

MERRY CHRISTMAS...

[cwolfe98]

MBN
PC info:
Dell Dimension 2350
Windows XP Home Edition
Pentium 4 @ 2.20GHz

I looked at the back side of my PC and did not see anything like a fireware connection.... just 4 usb and a lan connector (looks like a phone plug, but has a pc to pc icon)

[janza]

Hi
I'm no expert but have been doing quite a bit of video editing. First check your camcorder booklet to see whether you have a firwire outlet. If you have you can proceed to get the firewire card/software to install in your pc. I strongly recommend Pinnacle Studio 8. If your camcorder has no firewire outlet then you cannot do DV editing.

[MustBNuts]

Camcorders that don't have firewire usually have some other method of connection - old analogs need either a capture card or tv tuner - but you are never just "out of luck".

Okay, I checked both Canon and Dell - your computer does not have firewire available. Here is the link:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems...cs.htm#1101572

Your camcorder uses firewire per this statement: How do I connect my digital video camera to a computer?
The DV Camcorders may be connected to a computer using an optional OHCI compatible, digital video capture kit available commercially. These kits must be capable of using the IEEE-1394 (firewire) interface to enable you to import digital video and still images into your computer. The camcorder may also be connected to a computer via its Mini-B USB port, for downloading still images and movies recorded on the SD/MMC card only.

this info can be found at http://www.canondv.com/service/faq_z...html#general10

Step one is to buy a firewire kit (the kit will include the firewire card and cord and sometimes editing software).

It appears that if you haven't made any upgrades, you should have at least one PCI slot available for the card.

Once that is installed, if it works anything like mine, the minute you plug it in, XP will recognize it and you are up and running.

For video editing, since you've never done it before, get the XP upgrade to MovieMaker, it's called (not surprisingly) MovieMaker 2. It is simple to use and a good starter...and hey, it's free

When you plug in your camcorder, XP will prompt you what app you want to use (presumably you will have MovieMaker and whatever came with the firewire), you just double click on MovieMaker, and off you go...

Have fun!

[cwolfe98]

Thanks MBN ... I'll let you guys know as soon as I get the firewire card installed and up and running