How to connect a video camera and import a movie
Thu, 02/08/2007 - 12:14 — George
In today's guide we will show you how to connect a video camera to your Windows Vista PC and save your movies in a digital format. As you will see for yourself it is a simple procedure. Just follow these steps:
1. Connect your video camera to the power supply and then connect it to your PC using a Firewire or USB cable. If you have a choice, we recommend using a Firewire cable because the transfer rate is better.
2. Turn on the camera and wait for Windows Vista to detect and install the appropriate drivers.
3. Don't forget to rewind the videotape to the beginning of the movie you want to save on your computer. From the "Autoplay" menu select "Import Video".
4. Now you have to enter the name, the import folder and the format of your movie. We recommend using AVI (single file) since it offers very good quality output for movies. Once you have finished entering all these details, click "Next".
5. Windows Vista will ask if you want to import the whole videotape or just parts of it. Choose the option that you prefer: "Import the entire videotape...", "Import the entire videotape and then burn it to a DVD" or "Import parts of the videotape...".
6. If you select the first or the second option, click "Next" and the transfer will start.
If you select the third option, after you click "Next" you will have to click the "Play" button. Windows Vista will start to import the movie until you hit the "Stop" button. If you want to record another part of the movie, rewind the tape to the starting point of that part and click the "Play" button again.
7. After the importing process is completed, you can see your movie by opening Windows Photo Gallery and selecting "Videos" from the left menu.
That's it. You should have all your movies listed on the right, just like in the above image. If in the previous menu you selected the second option ("Import the entire videotape and then burn it to a DVD") the burning process will start automatically.
Note: for this guide we used a HP Compaq nx7400 desktop and Sony Video Camera, model DCR-HC24.
Related articles:
Windows Movie Maker
How to import pictures from your digital camera
Recommended articles:
How I produce my videos with Windows Vista
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License.
Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft Corporation in no way endorses or is affiliated with www.vista4beginners.com.
All other products mentioned are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of their respective companies.
Comments
importing video IN PARTS
When importing "Video from a digital camcorder" the only option offered is to import the entire videotape. The tape runs for 60 minutes and I only want a short part (2 minutes) but the option to import part of the videotape (explained in this atricle) does not appear. Can you suggest why this might be please?
I am running a Dell 9200 desktop, with Dell's version of Vista HomePremium (incl Moviemaker v.6.0.6000.16386) connected to a Canon HV20 HiDef digital camcorder.
Many thanks.
Mick
Importing PART of a videotape
The tutorial suggests that it is possible to import PART of a videotape but when I connect my digicamcorder (Canon HV20) the only import option is to import the ENTIRE videotape. Can you think why the other options are not showing?
MICK
Running Vista HomePremium by Dell
alternative applications
If your camera has some specific software you should try to use it.
Also, you could try to import your videotape with VirtualDub (freeware, easy to use) or Adobe Premiere (expensive and complicated).
Recognising mini DV camera
My Vista PC will not recognise my Panasonic GS27 Mini DV cam - It thinks it is a web cam.
When I go onto the Panasonic website, I can find any drivers?
When I go into the device manager, neither a web cam or Mini DV Cam appears?
Any suggestions as to where:
1) Where I can get Panasonic drivers for my mini dv cam - Assuming they exist?
2) How I get the the on screen display (on my mini dv cam) to change from web cam to the correct display for transferring movies?
USB AND SOFTWARE PROBLEMS
Hey, I have a Sony DCR-HC24E. My laptop is running Vista, and when I try to install the camera it just can't locate the drivers or anything. What can I do, as I desperately need to get the video off of it !
Download drivers from Sony
Download the drivers for your camera from the Sony website and install them.
It Works!
I had to rewind the movie before I got the prompt for the movie name, but once I did that it worked great. I have been trying to copy off all my MiniDV tapes to the Vista computer. I have a JVC GRD-72U video camera. I found by reading different blogs, you have best success by getting a Belkin Firewire 800 PCI-express card which has Vista Drivers, $40 then I had to get the right cable $12 and it worked perfectly just like you state in this blog. Thanks for the tips. God bless..
Not working.
I connected my camera with a USB cable and its not detecting it.I do not have any idea why?
Drivers
I think you should check if the appropriate drivers were installed for your camera.
Sony digital 8 DCR-TRV250 camcorder & Windows Vista
I understand there are incompatibility issues with Vista & certain DV camcorder models. The question is, now what do I do to upload my videos to my Windows Vista computer from my Sony digital 8 handycam (model DCR-TRV250)? Help!