How do I transfer mini DV to computer?

How do i transfer my mini dv video onto my computer??? HELP!?

• i have a fire wire and firewire port. i hae the mini dv tapes. i have widows movie maker, how can i transfer the move from the tape to my computer? some one please help! im desperate!

• Answer:

  You have a few basic options; First, if your camcorder has an S-video port you can playback the video through the computer and save the file to the harddrive as it plays. *S-video jacks are small (about a half-inch) circular ports with multiple pins...this connects the video OUT from the camcorder to the video IN to the computer...this option is often included with the camcorder, but not with every model. **S-video offers the best transfer quality. Second: Your cancorder came with composite lines (a 2-or-3 part wire, about 4-6ft long, with RCA plugs on each end...Either one Yellow and one Red, or a Red, Yellow, and a White...similar to the videogame hookup wires. These also feed the video OUT from the camcorder to the video IN to the computer...the computer's jacks will always be in the rear, but many newer models have an extra set in the front panel for convenience. Once hooked up, you may need to configure Windows to recognize the incoming feed...but if you shut down the computer, turn on the camcorder and hookup the wires, then start Windows again it should automatically recognize and configure the new connection. You can also use the obvious connection; The Firewire USB line will work if it's your only Output from the camcorder...but it's not the desired method for video transfers. Again, hooking an active camera (on) to a dead puter (off) will force Windows to configure the connection automatically on restart.