How can I get special effects on my camcorder?

How do I get video from MiniDv tapes onto my PC? Do I use Firewire? Can I even do it at all?

• Well I just got a new MiniDv Camcorder, a Samsung SC-D363 to be precise, and I'm having trouble figuring out all the ways to transfer video from the camcorder to my PC. I usually make claymations with my camcorders but recently I've taken an interest in making more "live-action" type of movies. Whenever I plug my camcorder into my PC using the USB cord, I can only USB stream, and print photos. I can also take live action video using a SD Memory Card but I can't use all of the cameras effects (e.g. lighting and "night mode"). So far these are the only ways I can get video from my camcorder to my PC. I have MiniDv tapes but I have no idea how to get video from them onto the computer. Can Firewire do that? If not, is the only way to use the A/V output and use a DVD Recorder? How do I do it?

• Answer:

  I had the exact same problem with the exact same camcorder. Turns out the USB connection will only get you the video without sound and you're gonna have to pick up a firewire cable (and card if you don't already have one in your computer) and it should work just fine. The manual didn't offer tons of help (which kinda sucks) but after asking a buddy that makes professional videos he advised me to go with the firewire. Best of luck! PS - Windows Movie Maker, which is already installed free on your computer with Microsoft Windows, seems to be the easiest "video capture" program