Camcorder to PC - Lesson in Buying the Cable Connection to Your PC

I decided a little while ago to start making some video clips for Associated Content. Something new for me and to make some extra money. If you have an older PC and need to connect a device to download videos to your PC this article can save you some time and frustration.

Of course I have a PC, but know nothing of camcorders or what is involved in producing the movie clips. So for starters I went to Wal-Mart for a camcorder. I was told that for the camera I selected all I needed a USB connection to my computer and I would be able to perform the functions I wanted to. Well I knew I had a USB connection on my PC so that sounded good. Wal-Mart however didn't carry the accessories needed for the connection.

I went to Radio Shack. Gave the camera to the salesperson. He tried several different cables that were for a USB connection, but none fit the camera connection. He sent me off to Circuit City.

I learned that depending on the camera you buy, will depend on if you need to use the USB or Firewire connection to your PC. That is the first thing you want to find out.

I went to Circuit City. Showed my camera to that salesperson. I told her what I was looking for. She gave me a cable that she guaranteed would work. I questioned her being so postive as the salesperson from Radio Shack tried several different sized cables and there was no identifying numbers to relate to.

The salesperson said "don't worry, this will work", and of course had that look of who am I to question her on this matter. She is the knowing sales person, I was the customer who knew nothing of what I was looking for. . She again guaranteed it. I was still not comfortable. I questioned her logic again. I said lets open up the package and see if it fits the camera. "No, that is not allowed. Buy it first , then try it. If it doesn't fit, we will credit you right away".

I said ok. Went to the paying counter. Paid for it, opened the package, Guess What. It didn't fit. I got the sales person and her manager together and the manager explained why what I was given wouldn't work and what I really needed. I found out it needed a Firewire connection not USB as I was told at Wal-Mart.

If I hadn't checked it out at the store I would have gone all the way home to find out I was sold the wrong type of cable, and then had to have gone all the way back again. As it was, I still had to do that.

Now the problem was, my PC does have a Firewire connection but it has 9 pins. Today only 4 or 6 pin connections are commonly used. I went to several stores and could not find a 9 pin cable connection.

Went home and got on-line. Searched and found a company that supplied just what I was looking for. A 4 pin Firewire connection at one end and the 9 pin connection at the other end. I ordered it and when it was delivered I immediately put it to the test. Wow - how cool - it worked great. I was also able to save money. The 4 or 6 pin cables cost me $30.00. I purchased the 9 pin cable for $20.00 including shipping and tax.

After copying the film to my PC I opened it up in the software I bought for proceesing my movies. It works great too. It's called Simple Movie Maker. I have windows 98 so I can't use most of the software out today for this process. What I do have was cheap and it really works great.

I am really enjoying newly acquired pastime. Its fun. I need to think of what to film. How creative I can be. To edit and put together a little film clip is quite neat.

Hopefully my experience and talking about it in this article will save some of you some frustration and time.