How to capture video from a Panasonic mini DV to my computer?

[Guest]

I've hooked my camcorder to my computer using a USB cable that came with the
camcorder and have it on the correct setting per instructions. When I try
engage the capture feature a box pops up saying there is nothing in drive: E.
I am trying to copy what I have on tape to my hard drive and then to edit,
burn to DVD. Any suggestions as to why it doesn't work? Thanks to anyone
who can help.

 

[Jim]

Did you download and install the USB driver from Panasonic? Not knowing
what camcorder you're using, go to:
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc...oreId=15001&langId=-1&page=CamcorderDownloads

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the pompt reply Jim. I have a PV-GS15 mini DV camcorder. I
downloaded the appropriate driver. I am still getting a pop up stating that
there is nothing being recieved for the computer to capture video from. I
have to USB slots on the front of my 2 month old windows XP computer that I
am using. Anything else you might suggest would be appreciated. Thanks
again, Jeff.

 

[Jim]

That's the almost same camcorder I use most of the time, mine's a GS19. I
didn't like the USB hookup very well, the IEEE1394 (Firewire) works better
and more consistently. If you have USB ports on the back, use one of them.
For some reason the extension ports sometimes don't work well most of the
time with the Panasonic, it wants the main port. Camcorder should be turned
on and in playback mode, USB cable plugged into the camcorder, when you plug
the USB into the computer. It should show up in Device Manager as a USB
Mass Storage Device, and as a Panasonic in MM2 when set to capture.
Get your self a Firewire card and cable for around $20 to get the most out
of the Panasonic.

 

[Jim]

Slight error in my last post: It should show up as an additional USB
Composite Device. Sorry 'bout that

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Use a firewire cable.

 

[Guest]

I've hooked my camcorder to my computer using a USB cable that came with the
camcorder and have it on the correct setting per instructions. When I try
engage the capture feature a box pops up saying there is nothing in drive: E.
I am trying to copy what I have on tape to my hard drive and then to edit,
burn to DVD. Any suggestions as to why it doesn't work? Thanks to anyone
who can help.

 

[Guest]

I have almost the same camera and had the same problem .So i bought a VIDEO
CAPTURE CARD it will take firewire ,USB,S-Video,and your standard RCA Type
cables .that solved the problem you can find one for about 80 bucks.

 

[Guest]

What is a video capture card? I have a Panasonic GS-22 which has those little
mini tapes. I can transfer still pics and only sometime video footage.
Would this help me? When I use Microsoft Movie Maker it says it that
everything from camera is not connected correctly (even though on another
program the still pics can transfer)

 

[Trevor L.]

What is a video capture card? I have a Panasonic GS-22 which has
those little mini tapes. I can transfer still pics and only sometime
video footage. Would this help me? When I use Microsoft Movie Maker
it says it that everything from camera is not connected correctly
(even though on another program the still pics can transfer)

Well, I have a Panasonic GS-23. The camera come with software from
Panasonic.

To download the video, you use this software, connecting via a USB2 cable
(and port on your PC). I have successfully used it and the .avi files play
fine. They can also be comverted to MPEG and a DVD created from it. I know
that a firewire card is recommended, but how many slots are available (no
more on my PC!!). Perhaps you need what I couldn't find in Australia (well
not at the store I tried in Canberra) and that is a combined USB2 and
firewire card, which will only use one slot.

However, I currently have a problem that I cannot create DVDs that play on a
stand-alone player. I wish I knew why. (I have set up another thread for
this problem.)

 

[Guest]

Jim, sorry it took so long to reply. Thank you so much for the info. It is
working perfectly. Again, thank you!!! Jeff

 

[Guest]

Cari, sorry it took so long to respond. Thank you for the info. It works
perfectly. Again, thank you!!! Jeff