The goal is to get the video from the DV camcorder to a .wmv file on the computer


You will need to have an IEEE1394 cable (Often called Firewire) seen here to do this. Sometimes it is included with a camcorder and other times you will need to buy it separately. Expect to pay $20 for this cable.



This picture shows where the Firewire cable hooks up to your DV camcorder. Each Camcorder is unique, so the connection will likely be in a different spot than the one seen here.



This image is the connection to your computer. If you do not have a Firewire port on your computer, you will need to buy one. Expect to pay $20 for an expansion card.



After the cable is connected move on to the instructions below.
Capture Video from a Tape in a DV Camcorder using Windows Movie Maker

These instructions are from the Microsoft website. Click the link to the right to get more information about Windows Movie Maker

** You can use any video editing software to do your editing. We recommend Pinnacle Studio 11


Connect your DV camera to your computer, as shown above. On the camera, set the camera mode to play the recorded video. (This is often labeled VTR or VCR on a DV camera.)

  1. Start Movie Maker. To start Movie Maker, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Movie Maker.

    2. (Sometimes Windows Movie Maker is installed at the following location: click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Movie Maker.)

  2. On the File menu, click Capture Video. Alternatively, in the Movie Tasks pane, under Capture Video, click Capture from video device.


  3. On the Video Capture Device page, in Available devices, click the DV camera.


  4. In the Enter a file name for your captured video box, enter a name for your captured video file. Then, in the Choose a place to save your captured video box, select the location where you want your video to be saved, or click Browse to select a location.


  5. On the Video Setting page, choose the video setting you want to use for capturing video and audio.


  6. On the Capture Method page, click Capture the entire tape automatically. The tape in the DV camera will rewind. Capture will begin automatically and ends when the video tape ends.


  7. Select any of the following commands:
    • To separate the video into smaller clips, select the Create clips when wizard finishes check box.

    • To stop capturing before the end of the video tape, click Stop Capture, and then click Yes in the resulting dialog box to save the video that has been captured.


  8. To close the Video Capture Wizard, click Finish.


The captured content will be imported into a new collection with the same name as the specified video file.