[shimmy]

I have been trying to connect my new Canon to my PC and Laptop butwith no success. Tried just using the supplied software and USB cable but neither computer recognised the Camcorder. The light on the USB hub did not even light up. Any ideas. Might it be the cable?

ALSO

What is the best way to connect to my PC to download DV tape recordings. The ionstruction says using either 4pin or 6pin CV-150f or CV250F DV cable.Are these Firewire and if so where on the PC and laptop do they connect? Dont seem to have the connection points!

Help before I loose my head...................................

[redsox_mark]

I don't have the Canon manual in front of me, but the important point to note is the USB is for access to the stills on the memory card, and Firewire is needed for copying video. Generally for the USB to be active you need to set the camcorder to a "memory card" mode (check your manual).

For capturing the tape, you need a Firewire cable (also called a DV cable). If your laptop doesn't have Firewire you will need to add a card like this
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=3ZR0
as long as you have a cardbus/PCMCIA slot.

If your PC has a Express card slot instead you need one of these
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4FYK

[MarkE19]

DV = Firewire = ieee1394 = iLink

if you were confused before your probably even more so now

If you need to add firewire to a PC (rather than just a laptop as already explained by Mark) then you can add a PCI card such as This which should include the cable to connect the cam to the card.
If your PC and laptop already have firewire (look in Device Manager for ieee1394. If its listed then you have firewire installed) then you should be able to get a firewire cable on its own, but expect to pay about the same as for the card & cable. There is no need to pay over the odds for a specific make of cable, it will offer no advantage for video capture.

Mark.

[shimmy]

well thanks to the replies, I bought a card for the laptop which came with a firewire cable and software.

The laptop now works and whoever built my PC also installed a firewire connector in the back like on the laptop card so the cable works for both.

Just the bloody software to understand now!!

[senu]

Originally Posted by shimmy

well thanks to the replies, ....

Just the bloody software to understand now!!

Oh dear .. language

Which software is it?

Most software that comes with camcorders sucks....Unless you get lucky and something respectable was left in the box by mistake