Release the Prisoner (onto a DVD)!

Hello Paul:

How can I download a camera video to a CD ?

Dear Jane:

Nearly every computer these days is smart enough to know when something is connected to it, and even better, smart enough to know what ‘it’ is, whether it’s a USB thumb drive or a camera.

So, not knowing what combination of camera and computer you have, I can say that the key question here is, “Do you have the proper cable?” It’s almost a guarantee that if your digital camera was made in the last 5 years, your camera has a USB port. Check to see if you have the USB cable that came with it. If you don’t, bring the camera to an electronics retailer, show them the port, and buy the proper cable.

When you get home, attach the cable first to the camera, then to the computer. Then, turn on the camera. The camera will likely prompt you to say “OK” if you want it to “talk” to your PC. When you do, the PC will likely ask you if you want to “import” or “download” images and videos. Say yes. Once those images are downloaded, you can insert a DVD in your PC, and, depending on what you’re moving, simply drag the icon representing your video onto the DVD, and follow the prompts to ‘burn’ or record it.

Good luck!