It's not much fun to watch videos on a camcorder screen.
Consumers have a multitude of choices when it comes to digital video. Affordable and portable devices include webcams, digital still cameras with video functions and digital camcorders to record movies in a range of qualities. Before you can watch and share your movies, you'll need to transfer them from your digital camera to your PC.
Instructions
1. Install any required drivers and other software specific to your digital camera before using the device for the first time. Many manufacturers include a CD in the packaging that contains device drivers and editing software. Generally, you should install the software before plugging in the camera; the software is specifically designed to read the data on the device. Insert the CD into your computer and follow the on-screen prompts to install the software. The procedure differs from one camera to the next, but typically, you just need to click "Next" and choose your settings. Some programs will ask you to plug in your camera at a certain point; do this only if prompted.
2. Create a folder on your PC where you'll store your videos. Windows has a "My Videos" folder that you can use or you can organize your own structure, which may be helpful if you take a lot of videos. Click "Start" and open "Computer." Browse to your video folder and create a sub-folder called "Videos from Camera Name" -- replace "Camera Name" with the name of your camera. This way, if you have more than one digital camera, you can keep your media separated.
3. Connect your camera to the PC using the included USB cable and turn on the camera. The first time you do this, Windows will take a few moments to recognize the device based on the drivers you've installed. You will then be asked what you'd like to do with the media. If you use a still camera with video functions, you'll see two options for "Transfer pictures and video to my computer..." If you shoot with a camcorder, the options will begin with "Transfer video to my computer..." One of the options is for a Windows-based transfer program and the other is for the brand-specific software you installed in Step 1. Choose the latter option.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to copy the video files from your camera to your PC. Each program performs this task differently but generally follows a similar routine. First, you will be given a list of video files with thumbnail images. Click the checkbox beside the videos you want to transfer and click "Next." Then, choose the folder you created in Step 2 and click "Next" to copy the video files to that folder.
5. Open "Computer" and browse to the folder into which you copied the videos. Double-click a video to watch it on your PC. Depending on how you've configured Windows, the videos will play in your camera-specific software or in a general media player such as Windows Media Player or QuickTime. Check your camera manual to see which file format your camera uses for recording.
Tags: your camera, click Next, digital camera, video files, Camera Name