From Camera to PC

I'm With Stupid · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2005, 08:05 PM

I'm gonna be getting/making a video editing PC at some point in the future, but I intend to rent camera equipment rather than buy it (at least until I can afford it). How can I get my footage from my tapes to the computer. I know you can get things like this which I've used before and are pretty decent, but I could get a half decent camera for the same price. Is there any other cheaper way of doing the same thing. I could just buy a really cheap MiniDV camcorder, but I might be wanting to use the larger tapes, and maybe HD tapes in the future. Does everyone else just use the camcorder they shoot on?

Marc Peters · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2005, 08:53 PM

Pretty much everyone uses their camcorder to transfer to PC.

I'm With Stupid · #3 (**permalink**) 12-29-2005, 04:50 AM

Bugger! Are there any other ways then? Any cheaper versions of the thing on my link?

LukeD · #4 (**permalink**) 12-29-2005, 11:35 AM

Fire wire cable

Marc Peters · #5 (**permalink**) 12-29-2005, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by LukeD

Fire wire cable

He doesn't have a camcorder, so a firewire cable wouldn't be much use. I think the best thing you could do is buy a low end or second hand camcorder to transfer. As long as you always record in SP mode on the borrowed / rented camera, you'll be able to transfer the miniDV footage.

Sony did produce an interbal 3.5" MiniDV tape desk to fit in a PC, but this was discontinued. You may be able to source one on ebay, but again will probably be more expensive than a camcorder.

However, in the long run, renting camcorders will work out a lot more expensive.