Best Way to Transfer MiniDV tapes to PC
Hello,
I have a large library of miniDV tapes (likely 40+) that were shot using a Sony DCR-TRV20 camcorder. I would like to digitize these tapes and store them on DVDs using the highest quality option possible (which I assume means using the camera's DV in/out port). I have misplaced the DV cable that came with the camera.
I want to process and edit these videos on a new custom-built PC with the following key specs:
CPU - Intel Core i7-3770K
RAM - 16GB DDR3 1600
HDD - Two WD Caviar Black 1.5TB drives for data storage and a Crucial 128GB SATA III SSD for the OS and digital processing
Video Card - EVGA 01G-P3-1361-KR GeForce GTX 460
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
I would be using PowerDirector 10 to capture and edit the video
1. What is the best way to transfer the tapes to the PC?
2. Am I better off plugging the camera into the Video Card or the motherboard? The PC has USB 3.0 and eSATA ports. The graphics card has a mini-HDMI and two DVI ports.
3. The PC does not have a Firewire port, but I could purchase a Firewire PCI card or pull a 5 year old Firewire PCI card from another computer.
In your answer, please include recommended cables. If you suggest Firewire, would a new card be faster? I have no problem paying for a new card if it will make this go faster. I prefer to purchase from NewEgg, if possible.
Thanks!!
Chip
PS. Link to camcorder manual:
http://www.docs.sony.com/r
I have a large library of miniDV tapes (likely 40+) that were shot using a Sony DCR-TRV20 camcorder. I would like to digitize these tapes and store them on DVDs using the highest quality option possible (which I assume means using the camera's DV in/out port). I have misplaced the DV cable that came with the camera.
I want to process and edit these videos on a new custom-built PC with the following key specs:
CPU - Intel Core i7-3770K
RAM - 16GB DDR3 1600
HDD - Two WD Caviar Black 1.5TB drives for data storage and a Crucial 128GB SATA III SSD for the OS and digital processing
Video Card - EVGA 01G-P3-1361-KR GeForce GTX 460
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
I would be using PowerDirector 10 to capture and edit the video
1. What is the best way to transfer the tapes to the PC?
2. Am I better off plugging the camera into the Video Card or the motherboard? The PC has USB 3.0 and eSATA ports. The graphics card has a mini-HDMI and two DVI ports.
3. The PC does not have a Firewire port, but I could purchase a Firewire PCI card or pull a 5 year old Firewire PCI card from another computer.
In your answer, please include recommended cables. If you suggest Firewire, would a new card be faster? I have no problem paying for a new card if it will make this go faster. I prefer to purchase from NewEgg, if possible.
Thanks!!
Chip
PS. Link to camcorder manual:
http://www.docs.sony.com/r
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Michael -- I don't disagree that it's probably easier to just buy a new card. But the question was whether the transfer would be faster with a new card -- the answer is it will not be. Also, the card you suggested is a PCI card -- it's VERY likely that a new socket 1155 motherboard for an Ivy Bridge CPU will not have any PCI slots. As I noted above, if that's indeed the case there's no choice but to buy a PCIe card.
ASKER
Thanks everyone. Here is what I did:<br /><br />Ordered Michael-Best's suggested card<br />Could not determine if the bundled cable is 4 pin or 6 pin, so also ordered a 4p to 6p Firewire cable for a few bucks.<br /><br />My PC has two open "PCI" slots. I cannot find a mention of is these slots work with what version of PCI these slots support. Am hoping the card will work. I will test it tomorrow or Saturday.<br /><br />Thanks!
Some concerns appear after reviewing all comments / info.
Please consider that all EE input to be subject to the questions info.
"I could purchase a Firewire PCI card or pull a 5 year old Firewire PCI card from another computer.
My PC has two open "PCI" slots."
This led me to believe that you indeed have PCI slots?
You also said:
"I cannot find a mention of is these slots work with what version of PCI these slots support."
Also garycase pointed out that:
"it's VERY likely that a new socket 1155 motherboard for an Ivy Bridge CPU will not have any PCI slots. "
I first believed that you had confirmed that you have a PCI slot...but this may be incorrect.
Thus I checked your EVGA 01G-P3-1361-KR GeForce GTX 460 specs:
http://jp.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=01G-P3-1361-KR&family=GeForce%20400%20Series%20Family
Which is; PCI-E (thus the other slots are likely PCI-E)
My first comment:
Suggested card: (it comes with a 1.5m firewire cable included)
Rosewill 2+1 Port Firewire/1394a Low-Profile PCI Card (Cable Bundle) Model RC-501
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815265002
(conditional to the availability of a PCI slot)
Otherwise see:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006640&isNodeId=1&Description=FireWire+PCI+Card+&x=12&y=13
(if the slot is PCI-E)
From my second link the cheapest PCI-E card is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150160
This requires a 6pin to 4pin cable
I had hoped that you would have confirmed that you have a PCI slot & not only PCI-E slots before you went ahead with your purchase.
PCI slot info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express
Please consider that all EE input to be subject to the questions info.
"I could purchase a Firewire PCI card or pull a 5 year old Firewire PCI card from another computer.
My PC has two open "PCI" slots."
This led me to believe that you indeed have PCI slots?
You also said:
"I cannot find a mention of is these slots work with what version of PCI these slots support."
Also garycase pointed out that:
"it's VERY likely that a new socket 1155 motherboard for an Ivy Bridge CPU will not have any PCI slots. "
I first believed that you had confirmed that you have a PCI slot...but this may be incorrect.
Thus I checked your EVGA 01G-P3-1361-KR GeForce GTX 460 specs:
http://jp.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=01G-P3-1361-KR&family=GeForce%20400%20Series%20Family
Which is; PCI-E (thus the other slots are likely PCI-E)
My first comment:
Suggested card: (it comes with a 1.5m firewire cable included)
Rosewill 2+1 Port Firewire/1394a Low-Profile PCI Card (Cable Bundle) Model RC-501
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815265002
(conditional to the availability of a PCI slot)
Otherwise see:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006640&isNodeId=1&Description=FireWire+PCI+Card+&x=12&y=13
(if the slot is PCI-E)
From my second link the cheapest PCI-E card is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150160
This requires a 6pin to 4pin cable
I had hoped that you would have confirmed that you have a PCI slot & not only PCI-E slots before you went ahead with your purchase.
PCI slot info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express
Yes, agreed, but:
The card I suggested has both 4pin & 6pin & comes bundled with a cable, thus I suggested options from the question askers prefered shopping site.
I consider it faster & easier to make just one order of a (low profile plug & play card that comes bundled with a cable) rather than to remove a (5 yr old possibly high profile card which may not fit / be incompatible or even be faulty?. )