Hello everyone,
When you see my name here, you'll know there will be a very basic question....

Can I capture HDV with a USB connection? I don't have a firewire connection for the HVR-A1U. Should it have come with the camera? Do I need to purchase one separately?

Thanks!

No, the USB is version 1.1 which is far too slow for streaming HDV. You're gonna have to use firewire. Firewire PCI cards are very inexpensive right now.

Unfortunately, the DV/HDV standards basically require a Firewire connection, USB just doesn't operate that way.

Regarding the lack of a Firewire cable, as far as I hear, pretty much no camcorder supplies one. It's somewhat unfortunate but the cables aren't very expensive.

I picked up my PCI firewire card for 15$ from radioshack. It includes 2 firewire and 2 usp ports, and installed in about 15 minutes, and did not even need installation. My computer read the card without even needing the drivers.

I have heard that the audio can be severly affected when using a USB cable.

Unfortunately, the DV/HDV standards basically require a Firewire connection, USB just doesn't operate that way.

Regarding the lack of a Firewire cable, as far as I hear, pretty much no camcorder supplies one. It's somewhat unfortunate but the cables aren't very expensive.

I'll look for a firewire cable right away! Not sure who sells it, but I guess I'll start with B&H photo/video where I got the camera.

Thanks for the help.

Not sure who sells it

Luckily, they arne't hard to find. You should be able to find a Firewire cable at any good computer store.

I'll look for a firewire cable right away! Not sure who sells it, but I guess I'll start with B&H photo/video where I got the camera.

Thanks for the help.

Cindy, your local Walmart or Target both will have 4 pin and 6 pin firewire cables.
You'll need 4 pin for the camera end, and 6 pin for the computer end (unless you're using a PC laptop, some of the PC laptops have 4 pin connectors on them vs 6 pin).