Hey Everyone,
I'm trying to get the footage from my DV Camcorder to my laptop but I can't find a program to transfer the video. The regular Panasonic software only does pictures. I've tried a couple other programs too but they all give me the same answer. Please check camera or restart this application. My camcorder is plugged in through a serial port on my laptop. PLEASE help me.

Hey and welcome,

OK first when you say the camera is connected via a serial port did you mean a USB port? You need a Firewire card and cable to get that DV footage off. Can you confirm what connection the camera is to the PC?

Hello All,
My DV Camcorder is connected into a serial port. My computer has a firewire card but I'm not sure if my camcorder supports a firewire cord.

I am having the same problem. I have the Sony Handycam DCR-HC42 MiniDV and my computer has a firewire port preloaded. BUT, my camcorder only has an A/V output. I am willing to buy whatever I need to get my DVs loaded onto my PC so I can edit them, using the ULEAD Video Studio 9 software program. Any suggestions?
I am in Beijing, so I am not worried about finding what I need to buy, but I need to know what it is first!
Thanks!