How to Copy Video From a Tape Camcorder to a PC
If you have a camcorder that records and plays video tapes, you can copy the video content onto your PC. Copying video content from a tape camcorder to a PC can be done quickly, with a minimal amount of effort. Once the video is transferred to your PC, you can edit and email it. Saving the video content elsewhere will also free up the original video tape so it can be used to record new videos.
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Things You'll Need
- Firewire cable
- RCA tri-cable
- Video editing software
- S video cable
- Analog to digital converter box
Instructions
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Copying Analog Video Tape to a PC
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1
Connect your analog camcorder to the converter box by plugging an S Video cable from the "Video Out" jack of your camcorder to the "S Video In" jack of the converter box. Plug the red end of the RCA cable into the "Audio Out R" jack of the camcorder and plug the white end into the "Audio Out L" jack of the camcorder. Plug the other red end of the RCA cable into the "R Audio In" jack of the converter box and plug the other white end into the "L Audio In" jack of the converter box.
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2
Connect the converter box to a PC by plugging one end of the Firewire cable into the "DV/IO" port of the converter box and plugging the other end into the Firewire port on your PC.
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3
Turn on the converter box and switch your camcorder to VCR mode. Put the tape you want to copy into your camcorder. Rewind the tape to the beginning of the content you want to transfer.
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4
Locate your video editing software program by clicking on the "Start" menu. Click on "All Programs." Click on the name of your video editing software program. Access the "Capture" menu by clicking "File" and "Capture." Click the "Play" arrow on the capture menu and click the "Record" button.
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5
When your the video content is over, click the "Stop" button. Click "Save to" and choose a file destination to save the transferred video content.
Capturing Digital Video Tape to a PC
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Use a Firewire cable to transfer digital video. Plug one end of the Firewire cable into the jack on your tape camcorder labeled "DV In/Out."
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Plug the other end of the Firewire cable into the associated port on your computer.
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8
Switch your camcorder to "VCR" mode. Put the tape you want to copy into your camcorder. Rewind the tape to the beginning of the content you want to transfer.
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Locate your video editing software program by clicking on the "Start" menu. Click on "All Programs." Click on the name of your video editing software program. Access the "Capture" menu by clicking "File" and "Capture." Click the "Play" arrow on the capture menu and click the "Record" button.
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10
When your the video content is over, click the "Stop" button. Click "Save to" and choose a file destination to save the transferred video content.
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Tips & Warnings
If your camcorder only has RCA jacks, plug the red end of the RCA cable into the "Audio Out R" jack. Plug the white end into the "Audio Out L" jack and plug the yellow end into the "Video Out" jack. Plug the other ends into the associated inputs on the converter box.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit professional camcorder image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com câble firewire image by yknups from Fotolia.com
