What kind of deck do you use to get your miniDV's onto your computer?  I do not want to use the camcorder to do this.  Any commercial options out there?
thanks

What's wrong with using the camcorder?  That's how I do it.

ch

I didn't want to do it for the extra wear on the heads.  It seems like the pros never use the actual camcorder to transfer to a computer, so I was wondering what others might use.  I may purchase a cheaper camcorder to use instead of the good one.

Where are you at in Idaho Clay?  Grangeville for me.

many pros do use a cheaper camcorder to watch and run the tapes on to save the heads on their high dollar cameras but for downloading the footage to use you need to use the highest quality you can get and usuallyt the camera fill the bill on that unless you want to spend a bunch on a high end deck to do this with.  I have a JVC HR-DV3SU deck that plays and record miniDV and SVHS on and use that to review and download tapes with.  I am sure they have newer models now that will transfer to DVD and that would be a better option, but hate to know what they cost now! My advice is to use your camera to record with and view and playback using a cheaper camera, but download off the original.   Good luck!  Mark