USB video grabber.

[Grumpy1]

Originally Posted by TriumphStag

and no, that's the wrong cable. you need FireWire to FireWire, not USB so you will need a FireWire port in your PC or laptop.
if it is a PC, FireWire cards are pretty cheap.

Thanks for all the info Mark, much appreciated. My W7 PC has a firewire socket (6 port) so I'll have a look on the bay for the appropriate cable. Will the driver problem not matter?

Cheers,

Chad.

[TriumphStag]

*ahem* Mark :-)

Shouldn't matter as the newer OS should contain the drivers, but FireWire should handle it. are you sure that the ports are FireWire and not use (fw should have angled corners at one end).

[Grumpy1]

Ooops, sorry Mark! Yes definitely firewire, not use, or even usb. .

Thanks again,

Chad.

[TriumphStag]

good luck. let me know how you get on.

[Grumpy1]

Originally Posted by TriumphStag

good luck. let me know how you get on.

Cetainly will.

Chad.

[Grumpy1]

Originally Posted by TriumphStag

good luck. let me know how you get on.

Mark, firewire cable arrived today, and guess what? IT WORKS!!!!! Recognises the camera, and what surprised me was that I can actually control the camera through the PC. All I've got to do now is learn how to save to PC and write to DVD! When I switched the camera on, I was given the choice of Windows Live Photo Gallery and Nero Vision Essentials. I'll have a look at them at my leisure, unless you can recommend something better (must be simple to use though please!). Just one other thing, there was no sound from my PC speakers. Do I need yet another cable for that?

Many thanks,

Chad.

PS. I've found a 3.5mm audio cable and connected the camera to the PC but I'm getting some terrible feedback through the speakers. Sound is reproduced from the saved video file when played back, but I've not yet found an option to save to DVD. I'm getting there!

[TriumphStag]

Hi Chad,

Sorry - completely missed your reply. I didn't need an additional cable for sound, but again, without knowing the exact setup it is difficult to advise.

If it works for you with a 3.5mm cable (bar the feedback during recording) and then plays OK after the video has been saved then do what works!

To record onto DVD you will need DVD writing software - Something like Windows DVD maker will do for what you need, and you could use something like Windows Live Movie Maker for basic editing of the recorded video.

Both are free downloads from the MS website.

[Grumpy1]

Originally Posted by TriumphStag

Hi Chad,

Sorry - completely missed your reply. I didn't need an additional cable for sound, but again, without knowing the exact setup it is difficult to advise.

If it works for you with a 3.5mm cable (bar the feedback during recording) and then plays OK after the video has been saved then do what works!

To record onto DVD you will need DVD writing software - Something like Windows DVD maker will do for what you need, and you could use something like Windows Live Movie Maker for basic editing of the recorded video.

Both are free downloads from the MS website.

Mark,

Likewise re missing your reply - sorry. I can't thank you enough for all your help. Without realising it, I've already got loads of video processing software installed on my pc! The two you've mentioned above plus, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Nero Vision, Arcsoft Media Impression. 'Seek and ye shall find' springs to mind! I reckon they must have come with camera software etc. Regarding sound, I don't need to connect a 3.5mm cable to record, it's done through the firewire cable.

Thanks again Mark,

Chad.

[TriumphStag]

no worries. glad it all worked for you.