Be Excellent To Each Other

I can capture a simple video with my digital camera, and get it into the computer very easily. However, it's limited to 30 seconds and the sound is rubbish (and the video is very compressed as well).

So, I want something better, without spending much money. I was thinking an old camcorder with tape, but then how do I get that into my computer (an imac, with firewire and USB)?

I don't need anything very high quality as it would be for youtube anyway probably.

Solutions please?

What's "not much money"?

Cheap as possible, but no cheaper.

If I could get something for 50 quid off ebay, I'd be very happy.

You need a DV (tape) camcorder. DV camcorders have firewire outputs and are now fairly cheap. You'll be able to edit with one no hassle, all you need is the lead.

Right, that sounds good. All DV camcorders have firewire?

And is that "mini-DV" ?

Should do. But do check. No accounting for weird variations including Panasonic who used a different type of tape.

Thanks.

One more, is any weird software or drivers needed to import the video, or is there a standard and I'll plug it in and it'll just work with iMovie?

It'll just work. Just make sure the camera has firewire.

OK, I has buyed a JVC one, cost just over 30 quid including postage. Might be rubbish but for that price my fingers won't be too badly burnt.

Clean the heads when you get it using a decent branded cleaner. Then only use something like Sony Premium DV tape. Never use LP and don't be a tight arse and reuse tapes.

That is all.

Never re-use a tape? I thought it was cool for about five - ten uses?

You can do but tape is cheap cheap cheap, and it'll store for years. I met someone recently who'd had a DV camera and had dubbed all the footage off onto VHS to resuse the tapes. FUCKING MORONS!

Reuse the tape and the chance of dropout increases, especially on cheap kit. Decent domestic Sony tapes are only about a quid an hour which is hardly worth worrying about.

Camera arrived in a jiffy bag, but amazingly wasn't smashed to bits, seems to work fine. Has a brand new tape with it. Off to get the firewire cable from Comet now.

"700x zoom" - LOL

Be warned, the cable should only cost about 3-5 quid.

OK. And a cleaning tape, I was listening!

From Comet? I doubt it. I bought one for about £8 from Asda once.

Kalmar -- you know there are two types of ends, right? Four pin and six pin? And you know which ones you need?

I was more making him aware of the real price so that if Comet were flogging them for 30 quid, he could walk away.

There's more than 2 different types of Firewire connector but I'm hoping he's checked both connectors before venturing out.

I know of only two Firewire 400 ones. Are you on about the 800 ones?

There's 800, but you can get leads that connect 800 to 400. Naturally you'll only get 400 speeds but 800 is compatible with 400.

I think the latest Macbook Pros only have 800 so with those you need a 400 to 800 lead.

I got a "firewire kit" from Asda - a 4-way to 4-way cable on a portable reel thing, with two 4-to-6 adaptors. 5 quid. And it works! "Import from camera" in iPhoto.

Quality seems really good, only complaint is that the built in mic picks up a little bit of noise from the tape mechanism, and there doesn't seem to be an external mic, but it's not bad.

Thanks for the helps

I have a 12 year old sony mini DV cam corder thingy, I think I spent about £800 on it when I got it, but it's been excellent, the quality is amazing (it's like watching proper TV when you play it back as apposed to how all those tapes on YBF always seem to be).

I tend to use Sony tapes, but I don't think I've ever seen them for £1 each (more like £2 - £2.50 each)

I really should backup my tapes to computer or something, I must have about 50 of them by now.

Malc