Help with Panasonic PVGS59?

So, I've been about to throw this camera out the window a couple of times this week now. My computer doesn't seem to recognize the camera, and says no device is connected. I've tried all the different programs that came with the camera, but it still doesn't work. The "my computer" screen shows that there is a camera connected, but in the files there is nothing.
Recently Windows Movie Maker showed a picture, not a video, from a video I recorded, so I know that there is something on the camera.
Anybody having the same problems? I'd love to be able to put the videos on my computer and upload them, because I have some great stuff I'd love to share.
I'd really rather not buy anything, but if that's what it takes, I think I'll do it.

Reply 1 : Help with Panasonic PVGS59?

based camcorder. Transferring video from the tape to a computer using USB will not work.

You need to have a firewire 400 (IEEE1394a, i.Link - all the same thing) port on your computer. Typically, they are cheap - and easy to add.

You need to have a Firewire cable to connect the camcorder's DV port (not USB) to the Firewire port on the computer. There are no device-specific drivers - get the Firewire port working and the the camera connected with the right cable and MovieMaker will "Capture" the video (when the camcorder is in "Play" mode).

If you are already using Firewire and are getting these symptoms, try using WinDV to import the video.

Reply 2 : Help with Panasonic PVGS59?

Did you ever get your Panasonic question answered? Because I own one and have had the same problem. In my case, it was user error. You must have it in the playback mode and not the PC mode.

Reply 3 : Help with Panasonic PVGS59?

i know this post is old but the information is incorrect, you can use the USB port to capture the video from your tape, using the supplied video editing software for the "PANASONIC PV-GS59 MINI DV CAMCORDER". Place the camcorder into playback mode, install software as specified (or to you own specifications for advanced users) connect USB from camera to a 2.0 port on your PC, your computer will install the camcorder automatically. Open the Panasonic software and go to edit video and follow the prompts. i assure you this works, however it does take a significant amount of time and much more space since the program is converting it as it captures. The IEEE1394 Firewire procedure is much faster and works directly with Windows movie maker, nero, media player classic, and many other software programs for video editing but in my personal opinion the video quality from the USB capture has a higher quality picture.