Mini DV upload to Computer HELP!!!

[Rusty Shaklford]

New here to the forums and did a little bit of searching this site on the above subject and found a few old posts but was looking for a little more info.
I own an older Canon Optura 20 that I really like and am able to use all the features except for one and that is transfering my Mini DV tapes to my computer.
I can't seem to get the computer to recognize to camera for the Mini DV's. I have a Firewire adaptor as I learned I must have Firewire to upload to my Computer as well as read the complete directions from Canon on the transfer
I have read on these posts that I must have video editing/movie making software.
I am looking to keep my movie making very basic and am trying to use Windows Movie Maker.I have made little video's off memory cards with this program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1w_5JfNJ9g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu47OhhjO3o

I am wondering if I just need another movie making program to capture the video?
I have tons of hunting and fishing video's on tape that I would like to string together in a movie.
Thanks for any help you can give.:)

[techno ludite]

Hi Rusty,
Let me guess your using windows vista, if you are then there is/was a problem with vista 'not seeing' a firewire device.
If you do a search for 'windows vista and firewire problems' you will see that your not alone alas, if you have access to a windows xp machine you should have better luck, I did post in the 'dell' community forum (early 08) that my pc could see firewire as I thought I was one of the lucky ones that had no problem's with firewire, there are some pc's running vista that can see a firewire device, and as there was a decidedly unfriendly individual on there I gave up the dell forum as a bad joke.

Rich

[Rusty Shaklford]

Hi Rusty,
Let me guess your using windows vista, if you are then there is/was a problem with vista 'not seeing' a firewire device.
If you do a search for 'windows vista and firewire problems' you will see that your not alone alas, if you have access to a windows xp machine you should have better luck, I did post in the 'dell' community forum (early 08) that my pc could see firewire as I thought I was one of the lucky ones that had no problem's with firewire, there are some pc's running vista that can see a firewire device, and as there was a decidedly unfriendly individual on there I gave up the dell forum as a bad joke.

Rich
Thanks Rich, I am using XP. I am going to try a different movie making program here next week and see if that might work.

[rondo221]

You said you had a firewire adaptor?
so your converting a different type of cable into firewire? because if so.. it will not work. first off does your PC have a firewire card or firewire ports? silly I know but you'd be surprised.. So your workflow should be. camera (firewire cable 4pin?) to computer (firewire cable 6pin?) the 4 pin is a smaller size FW port. usually smaller devices like video cameras only have 4pin including pc laptops. If you have done this so far and are still having problems.. then yes I would agree your software cannot cope. take a look at getting something like premiere Essentials its a (lesser price_bare bones type editor for PC) this should help with your endeavor.