The Video Gods Hate Me

I borrowed Mom’s camcorder to use at ISU’s Homecoming Parade today. After a few minutes of playing with the controls I felt I could be successful in shooting enough video to make a short 2 or 3 minute presentation. All went well at the parade. I got clips of the BRMM, Reggie, the Alumni Band and even did a mock interview with my Mom. I ran back the tape and it looked pretty good. There were a few crucial elements to the project I had not planned for.
Mom and I got home about 11:30 and I wanted to get started on editing the video. The camera had a USB input to the computer so I could not use a fire wire to import the footage into Final Cut Express. I just had to think about the problem for a while. I think best while shopping. I went to the fabric store and to Michael's and found some really cute things for the holidays. Okay I am now ready to tackle that video. I looked around the Internet but did not see a solution for my problem. It was getting late anyway so I decided to shelve the problem until tomorrow.
Credit for the next idea I am giving to my cat. About 2am I must have rolled over on her and she sunk her back claws into my leg. I was wide awake and my first thought was, “Hey, I can load that video to iMovie , create a folder and open it in Final Cut”. Sunday morning, right after 2 cups of coffee and a pop tart, that is what I tried. Okay that did not work either so I made some toast hoping I would think better on a full stomach.
I decided to see if I could load the video my PC. First I had to locate the set-up disk that came with the camera. Since the camcorder was purchased in 2002, I knew I had a long search ahead of me. After 5 years there was no telling how far away that disk could have rolled. I know what you are thinking…why not just load to mom’s computer and the transfer it to my computer. The disk was never loaded on her system. Mom was sure that it did not come with a disk because it was so old. I went to SharpUSA.com to see if I could download the drivers. It is now Sunday afternoon. I downloaded what I thought were the drivers but were actually a readme file and a PDF on how to connect the USB to the computer. I was instructed to install the drivers from that elusive disk.
I got out the manual. Maybe there was something I missed or info I could use to get that video on to a computer. The camcorder can be hooked up to a TV. All I have to do is find some AV cables and I’m set. I can record the video to the VCR, use the Dazzle digital video creator 150 to transfer the footage to the computer and I am good to go, right? I really think this might have worked had if had not loaned the Dazzle to a friend sometime back and if could have found a store that sold blank Beta tapes (all my tapes are full of 9 seasons of Doctor Who and 2 seasons of Twin Peaks).
It is now 4:08 on Sunday. I lost the first round with the Video Gods but the battle is not over. After I finish this bit for the blog, I am heading start to Kodak.com and look for a semi-pro EasyShare digital camcorder. If they don’t make one then I guess I will be sending an email to find out how soon I can expect one.