Editing with tape

[Citrus]

Hi, I'm using my parent's Sony Handycam that uses tape to make a movie. So I was wondering ,what is the best way to edit a movie with this kind of camera is?

Also, I might be getting a camera this christmas, but my parents need to know which kind I want so should I get one that uses SD cards or uses USB to transfer video?

[nooneimportant77]

tape like video tape ? or tape like mini dv like most cameras now are? i use mini dv tape i think alot of people do you can capture the video into your compuer using most editing programs with a firewire cable.

if you're using video tape you'll need a special box to go from a VCR to your computer.

[Citrus]

Well the handycam is the dv tape. and I also have an old rca (the one in my avatar) that runs on tape. And I have an unknown brand of a super 8 camera. how much would the firewire cable be for a windows vista computer?

[nooneimportant77]

firewire cable is the same no matter what computer your using, but you nee to be sure your DV cam uses firewire. somewhere on the camera there would be a jack that will either say DV out or Firewire out. after you know your camera has that, you need to be sure your program on your computer for making movies can capture footage from your camera (i dont have a PC so i dont know how things like movie maker works, but i'm sure it'll be fine)

in your program there shouldbe a thing that says something like "capture footage" or "log and caputre" maybe even "firewire device" or something like that

once you know your camera and computer play nice with a firewire cable get one! quality of the cable dosn't matter THAT much but obviously the more expensive the better the cable (in most cases) after you've got your cable plug it all in. play your tape and press the capture button on your computer ! after that the footage is on your computer for you to do whatever you'd like

[Citrus]

Thanks a lot!

[New Spark Films]

This is something I've wondered for a while but have been too embarassed to ask...

I've always transferred my video using USB, because my Firewire port doesn't work. Does Firewire give better video quality? I know it sounds like a completelt idiotic thing to ask, but I've been using USB and it looks pretty terrible.

[etentertainment]

Yes. Firewire is the highest quality you can get from using any kind of wire...like usb and firewire.

[New Spark Films]

OK thanks... Now I need to get my firewire port working.

[forkazoo]

This is something I've wondered for a while but have been too embarassed to ask...

I've always transferred my video using USB, because my Firewire port doesn't work. Does Firewire give better video quality? I know it sounds like a completelt idiotic thing to ask, but I've been using USB and it looks pretty terrible.

If your camera is transferring footage digitally, it shouldn't matter whether you are using one type of connection or another, as long as you aren't dropping frames. If you are using a USB external analog capture device, those do tend to be of low quality.

Firewire is a much better port than USB, but if your camera is transferring the same data over the two interfaces then it won't make any difference at all.

[New Spark Films]

If your camera is transferring footage digitally, it shouldn't matter whether you are using one type of connection or another, as long as you aren't dropping frames. If you are using a USB external analog capture device, those do tend to be of low quality.

Firewire is a much better port than USB, but if your camera is transferring the same data over the two interfaces then it won't make any difference at all.

Well the video resolution is always something like 327 x 240, and I thought it was supposed to be 740 x 480.

[forkazoo]

Well the video resolution is always something like 327 x 240, and I thought it was supposed to be 740 x 480.

More likely 720x480 than 740, but yeah, that 327 x 240 is a very low resolution, so something is probably wrong. Your camera may just be incapable of sending the same data over USB as it would over firewire.

[New Spark Films]

More likely 720x480 than 740, but yeah, that 327 x 240 is a very low resolution, so something is probably wrong. Your camera may just be incapable of sending the same data over USB as it would over firewire.

OK, I spent $60 on the Firewire port anyway so I need to get it working.

[devin]

OK, I spent $60 on the Firewire port anyway so I need to get it working.

You first need to find out if your camera will even support a firewire output. Most all MiniDV / Digital 8 / hard drive camcorders work fine but if you have a DVD based video camera then you could be limited to USB. Next, if you have a camera that only outputs standard composite A/V or SVideo (older High8 / VHS) then you can't just plug into firewire and be done with it.

How do you hook your camera to the computer right now, do you use a USB capture device that your camera plugs into? Or does the camera have a USB cable you run directly to the computer? Finally check your manual to make sure you have a firewire plug on your camera.

Also when going to buy a cable, make sure you get the correct ends. Firewire has 2 different types of connectors, a 6pin and a 4pin. The 6pin is larger, about 3/4" wide whereas the 4pin is only 1/4" wide or so. Make sure you get what you need.

[New Spark Films]

You first need to find out if your camera will even support a firewire output. Most all MiniDV / Digital 8 / hard drive camcorders work fine but if you have a DVD based video camera then you could be limited to USB. Next, if you have a camera that only outputs standard composite A/V or SVideo (older High8 / VHS) then you can't just plug into firewire and be done with it.

How do you hook your camera to the computer right now, do you use a USB capture device that your camera plugs into? Or does the camera have a USB cable you run directly to the computer? Finally check your manual to make sure you have a firewire plug on your camera.

Also when going to buy a cable, make sure you get the correct ends. Firewire has 2 different types of connectors, a 6pin and a 4pin. The 6pin is larger, about 3/4" wide whereas the 4pin is only 1/4" wide or so. Make sure you get what you need.

My camera supports Firewire. Right now I am connecting it directly to the computer via USB. I already bought the Firewire cable along with the IEEE1394 PCI card, and everything fit, but my computer didn't recognize it. I just haven't gotten round to messing with it to get it to work.

[devin]

Ahh I see, good luck with it. Once you start using firewire, you will never go back. Then if you ever get a Deck you will never go back to using your camera to capture stuff :)