Media Services - Frequently Asked Questions about miniDV Camcorders
What kinds of miniDV camcorders do you loan?
Our miniDV camcorders are Canon Elura 85 and Sony HandyCam DCR-HC96.
For how long can I borrow a miniDV camcorder?
The borrowing period for a miniDV camcorder is three (3) days. The day you check it out counts as the first day, and the camcorder is due at the close of the library on the third day.
What kind of media does a miniDV camcorder use?
The miniDV camcorders use miniDV tapes, which look like small versions of VHS cassette tapes:
Do you give or sell media along with borrowed camcorders?
No. You need to buy your own media. You can find miniDV tapes at Best Buy, Staples, Target, Wal-Mart or the campus bookstore.
Can I connect a miniDV camcorder to an LCD projector or television?
Yes. To do so, you need an RCA cable, which looks like this:
Plug one end of the cable into the color-coded ports on the LCD projector or television, which look like this:
Plug the other end of the cable into the correct port(s) on the camcorder, which look like this:
If the camera/camcorder is playing but you cannot see the image through the projector, you may have to press the Video or in the Input button on the projector so that it seeks the right device.
What do I do when I'm done recording?
The miniDV has the advantage of being both portable and malleable. If you only need the footage for archival purposes, you can take the cassette out of the camera and simply store it. You can also play a miniDV cassette on a miniDV deck, which looks like a VHS or DVD player.
If you need the video converted to DVD or VHS, please contact Media Services.
If you need to edit your video, you will need a computer that has some sort of video editing program, like Windows Movie Maker iMovie or Final Cut Pro, and a Firewire cable, which looks like this:
Three computers in the library's Media Classroom have Firewire cards and Firewire cables installed. You can use these computers to edit your footage if the room isn't in use.
