Newbie Download Question at DVinfo.net

Alan Pfau · April 12th, 2011, 12:44 PM

Hi,
I just got a nice used Canon XL2 but haven't come up with the best way to download to my PC (a new Dell laptop). It doesn't have a firewire connection and I'm told I can't add one to it. I've tried a couple of cheap USB cable connetors with no luck and I don't have a slot for an Expresscard type adapter.
Do I need something like a digital video converter box (NTSC?)...I see some on eBay for a couple of hundred dollars..but I'd like to go cheaper if possible. Do my cheap cables not work because I need some software?

Thanks in Advance..I've really enjoyed the camera so far.....

-Al

Garrett Low · April 12th, 2011, 01:15 PM

Alan,

Welcome. Your XL2 records in standard definition DV format to miniDV tapes. You should be able to play back and download from any number of camcorders that use miniDV tapes. If I were you I'd look for a used camcorder that has a Firewire port and use that as your deck. It will give you the best possible capture.

You can find a camera that will work for really cheap, check garage sales, second hand stores or Craigslist and ebay. There's a couple that would work on ebay for $70.

For a couple of hundred dollars you could almost get yourself a used Canon HV20 which is an HDV camcorder that could also play the tapes from your XL2.

-Garrett

Mike Beckett · April 12th, 2011, 01:21 PM

Isn't Alan's problem the laptop, rather than the camera? It sounds like he has no firewire on the laptop, and there's no PC-card slot to fit an adapter into.

Alan, if I'm right - what is the exact model of Dell? It may help us decide what the best course of action is, there may be a connector there that you haven't thought of.

And if I'm wrong... well, that wouldn't be the first time!

Garrett Low · April 12th, 2011, 01:42 PM

Uh duh. Thanks Mike. I'm sure you're correct. I was thinking it was weird that the XL2 didn't have a FW. They do make USB to FW adapters but I don't know how well they work. It's odd that the laptop doesn't at least have an Express 34 slot.

-Garrett

Alan Pfau · April 12th, 2011, 01:57 PM

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your responses. My problem is more with the laptop. It's a Dell Inspiron (Model #IM-5030-283 - to be precise). It has an AMD processor. I thought it weird too that it doesn't have an Express slot. Do they make such a thing as an external express slot accessory?

Thanks,
-Al

Mike Beckett · April 12th, 2011, 02:14 PM

Garrett,

That was my first thought too - either that or a blown Firewire socket on the XL-2, which is the usual problem!

Alan,

I think this is your model: Dell Inspiron M101z Laptop ? The Best thin and Light Laptop around | Dell

I was sure that there was an adapter for this, but a quick search here on DVinfo is a bit depressing: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/search.php?searchid=4598415

I think one of the main problems is that Firewire is faster than USB 2.0. I don't see any ports on your Dell that give me hope, either from the spec or from the photos they carry:

Quote:

Externally Accessible
(1) HDMI
(1) VGA
(1) Microphone
(2) Headphone
(1) SIM card slot
(3) USB 2.0 compliant ports

Sorry I can't help - maybe someone else may have a solution that doesn't need a new laptop!

Alan Pfau · April 12th, 2011, 02:21 PM

Hi,
I don't have the PC in front of me, but that looks like it via the photo. Kind of discouraging since it's not that old and I really don't want to replace it. How about using a DV deck (not sure of the proper terminology)? Any suggestions there?

Thanks,
-Al

Jim Andrada · April 12th, 2011, 05:26 PM

I think what it all boils down to is that you need Firewire to hook up any kind of DV/HDV camera digitally and your computer has no way to add a Firewire port.

In other words - no way to make a digital connection to transfer videos.

You might be able to attach the camera via analog connections, but basically you are not in a good place.

More and more PC's are dropping Firewire lately. You aren't alone.

Adam Gold · April 12th, 2011, 05:48 PM

If you could find a direct-to-DVD burner that would let you burn the actual avi files to DVD (if one exists), you could transfer them into the laptop that way (assuming you have DVD drive in the laptop). Otherwise you're out of luck.

Problem is, most direct to DVD burners convert to mpeg2 for regular DVD player display, which pretty much kill your data.

No easy way out of this one. Which would you rather replace, your cam or your laptop?

Chris Soucy · April 12th, 2011, 06:05 PM

Hi, Alan..................

There's a couple of things you can do, it depends on your circumstances, pocket depth and ingenuity.

Buy a second hand PC, there's literally millions of them out there and they're cheap as chips and quite often to be had just so people can get rid of them.

Make sure it has a Firewire port, forcryingoutloud, plus at least 1 or more USB ports, a network port/ wireless would make life sooo simple, Windows XP or better is pretty well mandatory.

(If the pc has a spare expansion slot or two both network/ wireless and Firewire add in cards are as cheap as chips and can be added if need be)

Option 1:

If the pc doesn't have network/ wireless, buy a dual Firewire/ USB connect external hard drive, doesn't have to be anything special, a second hand 250 gig unit would be fine.

Use one of the freebie downloadable transfer programs (DVsplit?) to download your camera to the pc, loading the data to the external drive..

Install your editing software on the laptop, disconnect the external drive from the pc and connect it to the laptop.

Job done.

Option 2:

If the pc has network/ wireless, buy a router with network/ wireless ability that both systems can see and network both the pc and laptop together.

Download to the pc and access the data from your laptop via the network.

Job done.

A bit of buggering about but can't see too many alternatives.

CS

Alan Pfau · April 13th, 2011, 06:27 AM

Thanks for the responses, you've at least given me some hope Chris!

Unfortunately (but gratefully), I got the laptop as a present and didn't have much choice in the matter. I like the idea of buying a cheap desktop/laptop to do the transfer with an external hard drive, I should be able to pick one of those up quite reasonable. I really like this camera and I'm not ready to replace it yet...even though it doesn't do HD. I'm just getting started and will upgrade when I'm out of college.

Thanks for all the help guys,
-Al

April 12th, 2011, 12:44 PM	#1
Alan Pfau New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan Posts: 6	Newbie Download Question Hi, I just got a nice used Canon XL2 but haven't come up with the best way to download to my PC (a new Dell laptop). It doesn't have a firewire connection and I'm told I can't add one to it. I've tried a couple of cheap USB cable connetors with no luck and I don't have a slot for an Expresscard type adapter. Do I need something like a digital video converter box (NTSC?)...I see some on eBay for a couple of hundred dollars..but I'd like to go cheaper if possible. Do my cheap cables not work because I need some software? Thanks in Advance..I've really enjoyed the camera so far..... -Al

April 12th, 2011, 01:15 PM	#2
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Re: Newbie Download Question Alan, Welcome. Your XL2 records in standard definition DV format to miniDV tapes. You should be able to play back and download from any number of camcorders that use miniDV tapes. If I were you I'd look for a used camcorder that has a Firewire port and use that as your deck. It will give you the best possible capture. You can find a camera that will work for really cheap, check garage sales, second hand stores or Craigslist and ebay. There's a couple that would work on ebay for $70. For a couple of hundred dollars you could almost get yourself a used Canon HV20 which is an HDV camcorder that could also play the tapes from your XL2. -Garrett __________________ Garrett Low www.GLowMediaProductions.com

April 12th, 2011, 01:21 PM	#3
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Re: Newbie Download Question Isn't Alan's problem the laptop, rather than the camera? It sounds like he has no firewire on the laptop, and there's no PC-card slot to fit an adapter into. Alan, if I'm right - what is the exact model of Dell? It may help us decide what the best course of action is, there may be a connector there that you haven't thought of. And if I'm wrong... well, that wouldn't be the first time!

April 12th, 2011, 01:42 PM	#4
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Re: Newbie Download Question Uh duh. Thanks Mike. I'm sure you're correct. I was thinking it was weird that the XL2 didn't have a FW. They do make USB to FW adapters but I don't know how well they work. It's odd that the laptop doesn't at least have an Express 34 slot. -Garrett __________________ Garrett Low www.GLowMediaProductions.com

April 12th, 2011, 01:57 PM	#5
Alan Pfau New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan Posts: 6	Re: Newbie Download Question Hi Guys, Thanks for your responses. My problem is more with the laptop. It's a Dell Inspiron (Model #IM-5030-283 - to be precise). It has an AMD processor. I thought it weird too that it doesn't have an Express slot. Do they make such a thing as an external express slot accessory? Thanks, -Al

April 12th, 2011, 02:21 PM	#7
Alan Pfau New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan Posts: 6	Re: Newbie Download Question Hi, I don't have the PC in front of me, but that looks like it via the photo. Kind of discouraging since it's not that old and I really don't want to replace it. How about using a DV deck (not sure of the proper terminology)? Any suggestions there? Thanks, -Al

April 12th, 2011, 05:26 PM	#8
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Re: Newbie Download Question I think what it all boils down to is that you need Firewire to hook up any kind of DV/HDV camera digitally and your computer has no way to add a Firewire port. In other words - no way to make a digital connection to transfer videos. You might be able to attach the camera via analog connections, but basically you are not in a good place. More and more PC's are dropping Firewire lately. You aren't alone.

April 12th, 2011, 05:48 PM	#9
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: Newbie Download Question If you could find a direct-to-DVD burner that would let you burn the actual avi files to DVD (if one exists), you could transfer them into the laptop that way (assuming you have DVD drive in the laptop). Otherwise you're out of luck. Problem is, most direct to DVD burners convert to mpeg2 for regular DVD player display, which pretty much kill your data. No easy way out of this one. Which would you rather replace, your cam or your laptop? __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

April 12th, 2011, 06:05 PM	#10
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Re: Newbie Download Question Hi, Alan.................. There's a couple of things you can do, it depends on your circumstances, pocket depth and ingenuity. Buy a second hand PC, there's literally millions of them out there and they're cheap as chips and quite often to be had just so people can get rid of them. Make sure it has a Firewire port, forcryingoutloud, plus at least 1 or more USB ports, a network port/ wireless would make life sooo simple, Windows XP or better is pretty well mandatory. (If the pc has a spare expansion slot or two both network/ wireless and Firewire add in cards are as cheap as chips and can be added if need be) Option 1: If the pc doesn't have network/ wireless, buy a dual Firewire/ USB connect external hard drive, doesn't have to be anything special, a second hand 250 gig unit would be fine. Use one of the freebie downloadable transfer programs (DVsplit?) to download your camera to the pc, loading the data to the external drive.. Install your editing software on the laptop, disconnect the external drive from the pc and connect it to the laptop. Job done. Option 2: If the pc has network/ wireless, buy a router with network/ wireless ability that both systems can see and network both the pc and laptop together. Download to the pc and access the data from your laptop via the network. Job done. A bit of buggering about but can't see too many alternatives. CS

April 13th, 2011, 06:27 AM	#11
Alan Pfau New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan Posts: 6	Re: Newbie Download Question Thanks for the responses, you've at least given me some hope Chris! Unfortunately (but gratefully), I got the laptop as a present and didn't have much choice in the matter. I like the idea of buying a cheap desktop/laptop to do the transfer with an external hard drive, I should be able to pick one of those up quite reasonable. I really like this camera and I'm not ready to replace it yet...even though it doesn't do HD. I'm just getting started and will upgrade when I'm out of college. Thanks for all the help guys, -Al