Consumer Electronics FAQ
How can I connect or bring back video from an feeble video camera to a computer?
Answers:
Depends on WHETHER your old camcorder have ANY video/audio outputs.
Older cams don't have firewire or "ilink" ports, so you're stuck beside using something like Dazzle. This is a $70 piece of equipment that will allow you to connect elder camcorders to computers for editing via USB. Check it out -- full name is Dazzle Video Recorder, I believe. This is your best, and cheapest, bearing to go. It'll work near any camcorder that has an audio in/out port, and most camcorders, even the ancient ones, enjoy this jack.
First you camera must have a/v outputs. They will probably be RCA connections, resembling a stero. If you're lucky it may have an s-video output. You can buy an inexpensive video appropriation card for your computer with RCA and/or s-video inputs. You can find them for a dutiful price on ebay. With more luck, they will come with a driver disc containing a video editing program. Good luck! You need to be specific roughly speaking what sort of old video camera you're conversation about. If it's MiniDV or Digital 8 you use firewire. If it's an analog video camera you've get options:
If you've get a camcorder with a slip away through option you can use it as an analog / digital converter - it's free and the quality's suitable.
TV capture card - cheapest way out if you're going to spend money, but the quality's usually very poor
A USB takeover device like the Dazzle or the Kworld Professional DVD Maker - passable price and quality.
An analog / digital converter similar to the Canopus ADVC range - best feature but expensive.