Mini DV Tapes are used to record and store video by both amateurs and professionals.
Mini DV tapes provide a digital video format used by consumers and professionals for creating and storing video. Transfer the contents of your mini DV tapes to your computer to edit the video or just create a backup. Transferring from tape to computer isn't difficult with the right devices and software. Often, all one needs is the camera on which the video was shot and a FireWire cable -- but there are other options.
Mini DV Tapes
Mini DV tapes are a miniaturized version of DVCAM videotape technology. Mini DV tapes have been a prevalent recording format for consumer-grade and professional-grade digital video cameras. Their size offers greater portability and ease of storage, compared to their larger counterparts. This allows for easy-to-carry cameras for individuals looking to regularly record the events of their lives.
Transferring from Camera to Computer
When looking to transfer mini DV contents you just need a computer and a camera that records to mini DV tapes. These cameras have an output marked DV. This output may be located in a sightly different place on different cameras. But all that's needed to transfer is a DV-to-FireWire cable and a software program to download the video.
Transferring from Deck to Computer
A DV tape deck is an alternative to transferring with the camera itself. The deck will also transfer to the tape via a DV-to-FireWire cable. The deck is most often used by professionals since it offers greater control of the transfer and the video on the DV Tape. A DV tape deck can also be used to record an edited video from the computer onto a mini DV tape.
Cables
FireWire is the best connection between your device and computer to transfer mini DV video.
In addition to having either a camera or a DV tape deck to transfer the video, it is important to have the right cables to connect the device to the computer. The cable is important when transferring because of the quantity of data being transferred from the mini DV tape and the requirement of a fast connection. This is why a DV-to-FireWire cable is used. USB cables transfer data too slowly.
Software
Software is required for the computer to be able to read and convert the data from the mini DV tape. Most editing software, including Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Final Cut and Avid, are capable of capturing the mini DV video. Also, many cameras come with simple editing software provided by the camera's manufacturer that allows for the transfer of mini DV videos to computers.
Tags: DV-to-FireWire cable, mini tape, Mini tapes, tape deck, Transferring from