TutorialsOperating SystemsMicrosoft WindowsHow to transfer video to your PC using Windows Live Movie Maker

How to transfer video to your PC using Windows Live Movie Maker

Written by Marc Roberge | 29 April 2010

Newer Video Cameras use internal hard drives or flash memory to store captured video files. Transfer of video files from these types of cameras is usually pretty straightforward. For those of us using older cameras with MiniDV or Digital 8 cassette tapes for storage, read on to find out how to transfer your video files to your PC.

Part 1: Connecting your camera to your computer

Allow me to begin by clarifying the issue of USB and Firewire ports. Your video camera, which we will refer to as camcorder from this point on, has ports that are generally concealed beneath a rubber or plastic dust flap. Your USB cable port (the slightly larger one on the left) allows you to connect your camcorder to your PC via a USB cable but only allows you to transfer still photos – not video.

The Firewire port is the one on the far bottom right with the letters DV stamped above it.

Your computer needs to be equipped with a Firewire (IEEE 1394) port like the one pictured here:

If your computer does not have integrated Firewire, although most newer machines do, you can always purchase a Firewire card for your desktop PC or Firewire PCMCIA card for your laptop.

Connect your camera to your computer using a Firewire cable.

Part 2: Getting the computer to recognize your camcorder

Once your camcorder is connected to your PC, power it on. With older camcorder models, you will be turning your mode button to the VCR or Play position – otherwise, simply turn it to the ON position.

I am using Windows 7 and as luck would have it, it automatically recognized my old Sony Digital 8 and installed the drivers for me. If your particular version of Windows doesn’t recognize your camera or doesn’t automatically install drivers for it – you will need to install your drivers using your camera’s driver cd or download your drivers from your camera manufacturer’s website.

Part 3: Windows Live Movie Maker

To capture video from your camcorder, we will use Windows Live Movie Maker that comes bundled with Windows Live Essentials. If you do not have Windows Live Movie Maker installed, you can download it here: http://download.live.com/

Click on the Movie Maker menu button in the upper left and select “Import from device”.

You may get an information box like the one in the picture below…simply click OK to proceed.

From the device list, select your camera and click “Import”.

In this next step, you are asked to name your video file and select whether to import the entire video, parts or burn the entire video directly to DVD. This option is up to you.

If you select the “Import the entire video” option, you will get the following screen. Your tape will rewind to the beginning and your video will automatically be transferred. Click “Finish” when it is done.

In my case, I will only transfer a few parts. Once you’ve made your selection and named your file, click the “Next” button.

Use the onscreen camera control buttons to navigate to your desired capture position. Once you are properly cued, click the “Import” button to start transferring your video.

Click the “Stop” button when you have reached the end of your desired clip. Click “Finish” when you are done.

Your video will be saved to the “My Videos” folder.