Options other than 1394 (FireWire)

[Dustin Wilcox]

Excuse my technology ignorance, but are there other options for uploading video from Mini DV camcorder to computer? Finding that firewire ports are not an option on to many newer notebooks; can you effectively upload video via HDMI, or is that strictly for viewing?

 

[Skip Talbot]

That depends on the model. Some also use a USB connection, but I'm assuming you would have already found that on yours. There are Firewire express cards you can plug into your laptop that will add a firewire port. HDMI is just a video/audio output, so you would need a tuner/decoder to read that data. Some graphics cards carry that support, but I haven't seen much support for that in a laptop. That would be a cumbersome route to go through as well.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I had to buy a 1394 express card. I stream using a simple A/V to USB EZCap, but when I want to dump footage I have to pull out the firewire cable and the express card.

 

[Kris Hair]

http://www.dinodirect.com/Tronixin-...reware-1394-Mini-6-HUB-Adapters/AFFID-20.html

dont know if that would work or not

 

[Skip Talbot]

I'm not sure a simple cable will work as Firewire and USB are two completely different formats with different transfer rates. You'd probably need some hardware in between the two to do the converting. Those cables might just be for powering accessories.

 

[Jason Foster]

I'm not super technically inclined, but I've been told...stay with firewire. USB should only be used for streaming video, never for video captures for stock or other higher quality needs.

The PCMCIA card slot (or the newer express card) slot is just as good from what I understand. I've used a PCMCIA slot with the firewire adapter with success for over four years now. Have to grab an express card version for the new laptop too, like you couldn't find many with the right port.

Stick with the firewire.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Say a computer has a port called....

IEEE 1394 Firewire (4530/4650 graphics only)

What does 4530/4650 graphics only imply?

 

[GPhillips]

I could be wrong, but I think that means the video display chipset in the system. So if it has a Radeon 4530 or 4650 video chipset, it will also come with some sort of firewire connector. If it doesn't have that type of video chipset, it won't. Does the webpage have options for the type of video card chipset for that computer?

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

I could be wrong, but I think that means the video display chipset in the system.

Yep, that's it! Seems with HP you got to spend an extra $100 at least to get a firewire port.

 

[John Wetter]

For MiniDV, yes, stick with Firewire. Once you move to the file based camcorders, then you have other options.

 

[Mike Potter]

I also have the HP notebook and had to go with the express card i found one on ebay comes with cables and all for $7.50 just ordered it this weekend and still waiting for it....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350289009016

 

[Mark Blue]

Say a computer has a port called....

IEEE 1394 Firewire (4530/4650 graphics only)

What does 4530/4650 graphics only imply?

Dustin,

If I were a betting man I'd have to say you are either looking at the HP DV6 or DV7 series of laptops. The reason I say this is they both have Firewire ports on those models and they are also built with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 or 4530 for their graphics solution. Since you probably run GRL3 when you chase having a dedicated graphics solution like the ATI 4650 would be a good thing. The graphics card outputs video to your laptop's LED screen or to an external monitor through either the VGA port or the HDMI port, while the 1394 or Firewire port is used to move data from one place to another (like from your camcorder to laptop hard drive). Firewire is the defacto standard for moving video data from your Mini DV camcorder to your hard drive (whether desktop or laptop), so really when it gets right down to it this is the best way to go. I just purchased an Asus N81 series laptop for my wife for Christmas and while shopping I did not notice a shortage of models sans a Firewire port, but if they are getting harder to find you could always do what Skip suggested and get an Expresscard that affords you Firewire capability. I get the feeling you are in the market for a new laptop, but maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Dustin,

If I were a betting man I'd have to say you are either looking at the HP DV6 or DV7 series of laptops.

Yes, looking at those due to the Blu-Ray option, I can build the computer with all the specs I want, but to get the Graphics card that then includes a firewire port is $100 upgrade in and of itself. Debating if it's worth $100 or if the cheap card varieties available are the way to go; actually despite my loyallty to HP, I'm now considering the VAIO's, as you can get a computer with the same specs of the HP, only with Firewire, for the same price.