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[martinsigsworth]

I note the desktop has two built in IEEE 1394a ports what software in Vista can use them or do I need to find thirdparty?

[TheOldMan]

The IEEE 1394a ports also know as Firewire ports are for devices to transfer information to software.  Most common device using the interface is a movie camera - mostly the kind that use DV tapes as the recording media.  Few modern devices use that interface mainly because the cameras use Media cards as the recording media.  You might find something that uses firewire but the absence of IEEE 1394a ports or firewire ports on present day PC's would indicate there is not enough need anymore.

I guess to answer your question - software that was designed to get analogue information from a camera and turn that into a DVD, etc.

[martinsigsworth]

Yes I want to take the videos off of an old camcorder with tape via the DV port 

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

Assuming the camera has a Firewire port, a good software to accomplish that is called WinDV. It is the most widely accepted software for that purpose.  Even if the camera has a USB, do not use it but the firewire port.  Windows Vista should accept the camera as soon as it is connected via Firewire.

Then a software package to author the files into a movie is needed.  If you do not own any software Windows Movie Maker should be part of Vista.

[martinsigsworth]

Yes I have movie maker and the camera has the mini DV IEE1394 port