Admittedly NOT tech-savvy, but trying to accomplish above task, and have been thus far only receiving "No input signal" error. Keep wishing I had a visual of exactly what connections should look like from camcorder (with no firewire port), to Pinnacle device (are the 3 video composite connections all I need into device or do I need S-video connection if I don't have firewire?) and then into laptop (just have USB connection from Pinnacle device into laptop). I am using Windows 7, 64-bit. Any help would be appreciated - trying to make DVD's for my adult children for Christmas and I'm stuck on step 1!

Christine S. 

What Pinnacle device do you have?

I found this page that lists the drivers available for various devices. If yours isn't listed you may have to consider sending the tapes out to a transfer service.

I just did a transfer of a Hi-8 tape for a friend but I was only able to do it because I still have my old PC with a firewire card and a Sony miniDV camcorder with the pass through feature.

And you're starting kind of late, I don't know how you'd get the job done before Christmas. 

Joe