Capturing video with incompatible connections?

HarryMc · 23-10-2008, 4:07 PM

I have a Canon MV600i camcorder which has a DV socket to which I can attach a firewire cable but does not have USB socket.
I have a laptop which has USB sockets but no socket to attach a firewire cable to . I have a fire wire cable and Ulead VideoStudio software cd. I would like to use my lap top to capture my recordings and burn them to dvd. How can I connect my two pieces of gear? Ideally I would like to use the firewire cable? Or is there some other way which I should be approaching this.
I have 4 years worth of recording to work my way through.

**senu** · 23-10-2008, 4:32 PM

IF your laptop has a PCMCIA or PC express slot: you can get firewire adaptors to enable this on the laptop
USB from the camcorder will not output DV AVI
That is the way to approach it

There are devices which connect to USB but take a firwire input if you dont have a OCMCIA or PC card slot but the are uncommon and not cheap

If you have access to a DV enabled settop DVD recorder you could digitise to DVD then simply import off the DVD disc but this is a compromise of sorts
What is clear though is that in practice there is no USB to firewire adaptor

Andy98765 · 23-10-2008, 5:42 PM

Using a PCMCIA or PC express slot on the laptop and getting a card to fit is the best way forward.
PCMCIA Extra Value 2 Port 1394 Firewire Cardbus PCMCIA - Ebuyer
Express Startech 2 PORT IEEE-1394 FIREWIRE EXPRESSCARD CARD - Ebuyer

Mr Lazy · 23-10-2008, 7:52 PM

43 quid for an expresscard? !!!

How about: 2 Port Firewire Express Card - USBNow.co.uk 19.95 including P&P. I bought this one and it's fine, and their delivery is quick. It's FW 400 not 800 but that's enough.

And this PCMCIA card is 12.99 incl. P&P and cable:
2 Port Firewire PCMCIA Card - USBNow.co.uk

HarryMc · 23-10-2008, 8:49 PM

Ok. Thanks very much for the replies. I am a bit tech challenged so bear with me pls.
My laptop is a Toshiba Equium A 100-306 and on its left side has a slot which takes both a PC card and an Express Card?
Which therefore should I choose.
Thanks Mr Lazy for your link.
Harry

Mr Lazy · 23-10-2008, 9:09 PM

Checked your laptop's spec on the toshiba.co.uk website and you're right...that's unusual.

In that case I would just buy the cheapest ie. the PCMCIA card.

One possible consideration is that when/if you come to sell your laptop and/or the card - the expresscard will be more sought after as PCMCIA is dying out. It's your money though.

HarryMc · 23-10-2008, 9:40 PM

Thanks again Steve. Sod it let's live a little. Think I will order the express card.
Cheers.

Mr Lazy · 24-10-2008, 7:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

Checked your laptop's spec on the toshiba.co.uk website and your right...that's unusual.

Just re-read that...could have worded it better...I did of course mean that it was unusual for a laptop to have both slot types...rather than it was unusual for you to be right

HarryMc · 24-10-2008, 8:57 AM

"rather than it was unusual for you to be right "

Not sure that my wife would agree with that.

**senu** · 24-10-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryMc

"rather than it was unusual for you to be right "

Not sure that my wife would agree with that.

You are in good company there

*A n d r e w* · 24-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senu

You are in good company there

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryMc

"rather than it was unusual for you to be right " Not sure that my wife would agree with that.

This implies that although it may be unusual, your wives do at least think it's possible.

Hence, I envy you.

Mr Lazy · 24-10-2008, 11:32 AM

My wife has just agreed to purchasing a new PC...so it just shows that there is some hope left for us mere males.

Either that or my "negotiating" skills are better than I thought.

*A n d r e w* · 24-10-2008, 11:49 AM

Either that or she's planning another credit-crunching haircut and this is her way of distracting you.

Mr Lazy · 24-10-2008, 11:56 AM

I wish it was just a haircut...she was talking about getting her eyes lasered...ouch!

I meant ouch as in wallet-bashing ouch, not that the lasering hurts.

Well, apparently you can't see sweet fanny adams for a day and your eyes sting for 3 days or something.

Oh well, no Xmas presents for the kids this year