How to find and transfer Nikon D3100 videos?
I just got the camera and I use windows movie maker… But when II put the card in, the videos don't show up!
I really need to figure it out because if I can't do video I have to take it back and I really like the Camera!
Added (1). Hey just wondering, to the person who answered first, could you maybe email me? I have more questions… I don't even know how to convert and your answer although extensive was too confusing for me to understand. So maybe if you could email me I could ask you questions with specific details. Thanks so much. My email: findmeoverthere@hotmail.com
The Nikon 3100 produces full 1080 p HD videos. If you check the menu options when in Video Mode, you might have other possible settings. HD movies aren't single files. Each movie has one or two folders of files. The VOB file is the most important one. You have to convert VOB files to other more useful file formats like WMV and AVI. Some converters can convert them and some can't. When you convert you have to choose the best settings for the options listed in order to preserve some of the quality of the HD video.
If your converter won't convert VOB files, this little trick sometimes works: copy the VOB file and paste it on the Desktop. Right click on the Desktop copy and click on Rename. Now change just the file extension (to the right of the period) to mpg.
If you're using Movie Maker, it would be better to switch to a more easily edited file type. HD movies are usually edited in the more expensive video editors.
OK, I looked up your camera's specs. The movie file format is MOV. You still can't use this in Movie Maker but it's really easy to convert. Use Total Video Converter or Any Video Converter.
Word of Warning: A lot of free programs and utilities now come with Add-ons - like toolbars - that you might not want. Instead of just clicking through each window of the installation as it appears, take the time to read (or at least look over) each one and check and UNcheck where you need to to prevent something you don't want from being installed along with the program you want.
PS - Don't (DO NOT) return the camera. You've going to have to hunt for a lifetime to find a camera that produces the WMV and AVI files that Movie Maker likes best. Just do what the rest of us have done and get used to converting the files.