A friend of mine has a JVC camcorder. The model number is something like GR-D390) and it is apparently used Mini DV tapes. (apologies if I'm using the wrong terminology, I have no interest in camcorders)
She is connecting the camcorder to the PC via a USB cable and it reads the memory card (or whatever) in the camcorder and she is able to transfer still images from the thing.
It won't however let her transfer videos.

I've had a quick read around and I think it's because the videos are on the Mini DV tapes and the USB cable doesn't connect to whichever one is in the camcorder, jsut to the memory card for still image.
I'm guessing the only was to transfer to the PC would be to stream using a DV cable, is that right?

All ideas and advice welcome.

I don't know about JVC camcorders but I have a Sony that uses Mini DV tapes and using the USB is terrible. It will let you transfer video but only at a reduced resolution. The only way to transfer the video at full quality for editing etc is via a Firewire cable.
So I would guess a Firewire cable is what is needed for the JVC.

I also have a JVC Digital camcorder and want to transfer from the small tapes onto DVD and have the same problem via USB. I am definitely a non technical person so I would be greatful if you can you please explain to me where the firewire would connect to the PC? I assume the camcorder connection would connect to the DV out?? Also, where would I get the firewire cable, I have looked on eBay and there are over 500 and they are all different types! I also have a WinFast PVR TV card in my PC and this can import from S-Video but again I have no cable and wouldn't know where to connect to!
Thanks for your help.

At the risk of sounding obvious ... you need to have a firewire port on your PC too. Some PCs have them built in, but otherwise you can pick one up fairly cheaply from computer stores e.g. PC World or just ebay for even cheaper.

PS what you describe is quite common, due to the fact that while the more recent USB2 is roughly on a par with firewire in terms of speed, the older USB1 is way slower and would not support video streaming at the bitrate required for mini-DV.

Yes, the DV out on the camcorder will be a 4 pin Firewire socket.
You need a Firewire connection on your PC, this will usually be a 6 pin socket, but some PCs may have a 4 pin socket. (6 pin / 4 pin)
If you don't have a FW on your PC you will need to get a FW card - something like this.

For a cable you just need a 4 pin to 6 pin cable (or a 4 pin to 4 pin if you have a 4 pin connection on your PC you want to use).

Using the DV connection is definitely better and easier than using S-video or composite into a capture card which has to convert to analogue and back to digital and the DV lets you capture straight onto your editing software.

i have just connected my jvc GR-DVL 100 with a 4 pin firewire cable to my pc. I´m using the jlip videocapture programme(or trying to) but it keeps telling me that there is no device found or unable to use.Anyone help? This is the first time i ve tried to upload videos to my pc and its driving me crazy.

anyone help?