<p>of course you need software. There are several that give you 30 day trial. or you can install Ubuntu and then download the video with dvgrab. works very well.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-07T12:50:56.540Z
2020-06-07T12:50:56.540Z
Stephen
<p>DVIO, <a href="https://www.videohelp.com/software/DVIO" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.videohelp.com/software/DVIO</a>, will capture from the camera into a raw AVI file. No re-encoding, the file contains a perfect digital copy of the data from the tape. Last time I used it was on Windows XP machines, not sure about the current compatibility - but it's worth a try. The download is small, and it's free.</p>

<p>Otherwise, as Stephen suggests, try a trial version of one of the commercial products. Adobe OnLocation also always did a good job of this, but I've not used that in a while either, I just haven't been using MiniDV tapes.</p>

<p>Once you have the tapes digitally downloaded into files, you can re-encode with something like Handbrake, if you want some smaller files that you can use for viewing. I would just keep/archive the original tape download files in case you ever need to go back to the originals.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-08T12:30:05.727Z
2020-06-08T12:30:05.727Z
Peter Barton
<p>I've connected my camcorder to the pc via firewall,driver was also installed but when I plug in and out nothing happen. (Except the sound). Do i need any software?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-13T23:27:50.827Z
What model camcorder? Did you check the manual for instructions on importing?
Michael Liebman
<video><video-editor><video-capture><videotape><mini-dv>
How do I import minidv video to windows?
user93228
# How do I import minidv video to windows?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-01-13)

I've connected my camcorder to the pc via firewall,driver was also installed but when I plug in and out nothing happen. (Except the sound). Do i need any software?

**Tags:** video, video-editor, video-capture, videotape, mini-dv

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What model camcorder? Did you check the manual for instructions on importing?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-06-07. Score: 0

of course you need software. There are several that give you 30 day trial. or you can install Ubuntu and then download the video with dvgrab. works very well.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2020-06-08. Score: 0

DVIO, <https://www.videohelp.com/software/DVIO>, will capture from the camera into a raw AVI file. No re-encoding, the file contains a perfect digital copy of the data from the tape. Last time I used it was on Windows XP machines, not sure about the current compatibility - but it's worth a try. The download is small, and it's free.

Otherwise, as username_2 suggests, try a trial version of one of the commercial products. Adobe OnLocation also always did a good job of this, but I've not used that in a while either, I just haven't been using MiniDV tapes.

Once you have the tapes digitally downloaded into files, you can re-encode with something like Handbrake, if you want some smaller files that you can use for viewing. I would just keep/archive the original tape download files in case you ever need to go back to the originals.


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