How do i transfer video from a Mini DV tape to my Computer?

Sharp ViewcamZ VL-Z7, how transfer video file to computer..?

• how do i transfer my video file from the handy video camera to my computer..? its a miniDV camera which records the video to a cassete (tape)ie Mini DV i have the necssary accessories such as a data cable... but i dont have a PC suite Disc, so where can i get this file transfer software..? i need to know about any website where i can find this SOFTWARE....

• Answer:

  The Sharp VL-Z7U camcorder is a miniDV tape based camcorder - you know this. It has a 4-pin DV port. This port will connect to your computer's firewire port with a firewire cable. Since you did not tell us which computer you are using, we have no way to know if the computer has a firewire port or if it can add one if there is no firewire port. In this context, DV, firewire, IEEE1394 and i.LINK are all the same thing. When the firewire port is operating correctly, there is no need for a device-specific driver the way USB needs. And USB will not work... and USB-to-firewire converter/cable/hub/adapter things will not work. When the camcorder is proerly connected to the computer with a firewire cable, the camcorder needs to be in Play mode. On the camcorder's power switch, the camcorder can be in Record or Play mode... Your video editing software should then be able to "Capture" or Import the video. Microsoft Windows XP (SP2 and newer) and Vista have MovieMaker bundled. Macintosh OS has iMovie bundled. In the Microsoft environment, sometimes MovieMaker pukes - downlaod and install WinDV - it has worked where I've seen MovieMaker fail to import. You do not need any software from the manufacturer. This is not a Sharp slam - it is for all consumer camcorder manufacturers - the applications included in the box with the camcorder is useless and unnecessary.