Maximum PC

We have a mini Dv came that we got for a good deal but it seems to only support win98, i'm trying to install win 98 but having no luck.

It had a Dv port and talking about using the DV to record to a vhs/dvd recorder, and a usb port and a RCA port. USB is the win 98 issue so that's out but i was wondering if i could somehow convert the RCA via a adapter to something else. and run it as a second monitor and then somehow record from that. Any ideas?

So you have multiple MiniDV tapes and you're looking to pull them over to your PC?

n0b0dykn0ws

Exactly and the direct camcorder USB is not a option

How important is quality to you?

If it's important, try to find an inexpensive used MiniDV camera with IEEE 1394.

If it's not terribly important, just get a cheap but reliable capture card and import the video of composite.

n0b0dykn0ws

It might be helpful if we knew the make and model of the cam. I'm somewhat mystified that it has a dv port, but you can't transfer the video due to OS incompatibility, never heard of that before. But analog recording can be done with a capture card.

Also, consider taking the tapes to Walmart or some other store and having them transfer the tapes to dvd for you.

it's a panasonic pv-gs150 leica dicomar

quality is very important as once we get this working were going to do low budget filming with it. Sort of like a demo or pilot to shop to various networks my brother has contacts with.

OK, here's a link to drivers, manuals, etc..

According to the manual, your camera is definitely compatible with XP, and has a dv/1394 port. Note there is also an update on the website for the MotionDV software the camera was sold with to make it compatible with Vista. Camera came out in about 2005.

So, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you're going in the wrong direction with this entirely.

that was my first stop, i even installed those drivers but it's not recognize when i plug into my win 7 laptop and my Linux desktop also doesn't detect it

as for the dv port it says its for importing to record to VHS and i have no firewire ports besides so if it CAN go into my pc i'm not sure HOW

What capture software are you using? The website link I posted does have an update for Vista compatibility with their MotionDV Studio software, so it should work up to Vista. Did you install and update it? What happens when you start the program? Did you try WMM instead?

The more information you provide, the easier it is to help you. Like the absence of a firewire port on your computer, which I can only assume means you haven't tried connecting it that way, even though it is the best and most preferred way to connect a dvcam (they were designed that way).

Read pg 55-58 of your manual carefully - options have to be set on the camera to use either the usb mode or the dv mode. You may have better luck with one or the other, or with MotionDV or WMM, but you'll need to set the correct options on the camera. Actually, read everything in your manual carefully from pages 51-60, but 55-58 really explains the options you have to set for connection by either usb or firewire. If those options aren't set correctly, it won't work.

Even a little googling revealed that people were using their DV port with WMM in XP, so you should be able to do the same in W7.

Personally, I'd try it out on a computer that has firewire, and then spend $20 on a firewire card if it worked. It is the best way to work with video. USB will be slow, and analog will look like shite. So unless you are happy with either of those results, that should be your first test. Frankly, I'm perplexed that your computer doesn't have a firewire port already, either the fullsize or mini version. And yes, their are two different sizes, and you can get an adapter to go from one to the other, in case you missed that.

Hope you get it working.

i tried to install motion dv from the link and the drivers, they both gave the same unsupported os error (i have umbutu and seven). If i could just get the drivers to install so te device was recognizable i could try WMM so motion DV isn't my big issue its getting the device to recognize.

as for firewire/dv the Seven is a laptop a dell xps 1330 maybe i'm not seeing it but there seems to be no firewire port, the destop runs inux so while i could install a firewire card it's not running ANY version of windows.

But i'll take along look at my laptop to see if i missed a firewire port there

hum think i found one, i'll see if i can find a cable and try that, thanks!

xps 1330 does have a firewire/1394 mini port. Should be on the left side, next to the hdmi port, furthest towards the front. Before messing around with other solutions, get yourself a cheap cable (don't go to bestbuy, order it online or go to a local store, should pay no more than $10) make sure your camera settings are correct (pg 58 of the manual, iirc), fire up WMM, and give it a whirl.

Good luck!

got a dv to firewire cable today but my desktop does not recognize it in its PitiVi video Editor as a input source (or i don't see it) on my Unbutu Desktop

We tested the wire on mac at the shop at it was recognized by the mac's video software.

Waiting on a firewire to mini adapter to try importing to my win 7 laptop

Anyone know hoe to get it reconized in Linux?