mini: I need to get something I recorded with my camera (onto a mini DV) onto my computer and then onto a CD/DVD. What is the best way for me to get the video onto my computer? Do I have to hook my camera up to my computer with a USB cord? Thanks!How to get mini DV information onto my computer?All miniDV camcorders use something called "firewire" aka "iLink" aka "IEEE 1394" to transfer video to the computer. What you need to do is first check whether your computer has a firewire port. This can be obtained from the specifications section of the manual or the manufacture. Note they may refer to it by any one of the above names. If your computer doesn't have a firewire port you will need to purchase a firewire expansion card for your computer. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?鈥?/a> This card will need to be installed inside of the machine. Its not a hard thing to do by any means, however if you are uncomfortable most stores, in particular Best Buy, will install the firewire card for a nominal fee. If you have a laptop you can purchase a pcmcia expansion card such as this one http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?鈥?/a> that you simply slide into your laptop. Once you know that your computer has a firewire port the next step is to purchase a 6 pin to 4pin firewire cabe. As most computers have 6pin (large) firewire connectors you have to buy a cable to step it down to the (small) 4 pin connector that is found on your camcorder. Any standard cable is fine such as this one http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?鈥?/a> Of course I would recommend shopping online at a place like amazon as you will be able to pick up a generic cable much cheaper After you have your camcorder hooked up to your computer use a program like Nero 9: http://www.nero.com/enu/nero9-features.h鈥?/a> or Roxio Creator:http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/creato鈥?/a> to capture, edit (if you want) and then burn the footage from your camcorder. Good luck and hope this helps. Please message me if you have any questions.How to get mini DV information onto my computer?Firewire. Radioshack would have some. Your computer also (obviously) has to have a firewire port. If your using Windows, you should have movie maker, which can log and save the file.How to get mini DV information onto my computer?USB will not work for video. It is for pictures, video requires a firewire cord because the transfer rate is higher. Get a firewire card if you don't have one. Desktop: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url鈥?/a> Laptop: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url鈥?/a> Use a video capture program like StashSpace.Com's free stashBox or Windows Movie Maker.