Conversion from miniDV to AVI file

Here's the situation:
I use a PV-GS65 and record 1 hour segments onto miniDVs. I need to convert these segments into AVI files. I have a firewire cable, but I've been reading up on this conversion process and it seems like I need a firewire adapter/card? I use a Dell desktop. I think I found a good deal on one at www.spoofee.com. Is that the one I need?

After I get the adapter, what are the steps that I need to go through to get these miniDVs converted into AVI files?

Any help would be much appreciated! I have 25 miniDVs (each an hour in length) that need to be converted for work :confused:

That's pretty much all you need. You can even find less expensive ones that will work just as well. Once installed, you just plug the camera in. Just a warning though, just to be safe, turn both the PC and the camera OFF before you connect, then turn them back on. There are lots of stories out there about people who have fried thier cameras. I'm not really sure if you actually need to turn the PC off too, but definitely the camera. Can't hurt to play it safe! After that, (Assuming you're running Windows XP), just put the camera in playback mode, fire up Windows Movie Maker, and go to town.

Another warning since you're using a Dell: If it's still under warranty, I'm pretty sure it will be voided once you open the case to install the card!

These two threads might help:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t105595.html
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t112471.html

Good luck.

Dennis

ProsodyGirl,
The 'conversion' of miniDV to AVI is not really a conversion. It is a simple copy of the video to the computer from the camcorder tape. The computer does no altering of the video in any way. The copy process is done in real time so it will take you 25 hours to copy the video from those tapes. Each tape holds 13 GB of information so to store all 25 tapes will require 325 GB of hard drive space.

You need a simple IEEE1394a PCI Firewire card for your Dell. You can buy one at WalMart or one of the retail computer stores cheaply. Just plug it into one of your PCI slots and when you start the computer up Windows will detect the card and install the right drivers. From there you need to connect the GS65 and turn it on for Windows to detect it and install drivers for it (you do not need to install anything from the CD). There are tutorials on how to establish your Firewire connection (http://www.pana3ccduser.com/article.php?filename=Firewire-and-the-Panasonic-3CCD-Camcorder) and how to capture video (http://www.pana3ccduser.com/article.php?filename=Capturing-DV-and-Analog-Sources-from-the-Panasonic) (plus other helpful information) at Pana3CCDUser.com.

Once you have copied the video to the computer, it can be edited easily using one of the popular editing software packages. I hope you are prepared for a lengthy edit as 25 hours is a lot of video.

Thanks Everyone! Your expertise was incredibly helpful! :D