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Question

Capturing Sony Handycam videos to Windows 8?

Sep 18, 2014 7:12AM PDT

I have a Sony Handycam DCR-HC30 (an older model). The video quality still holds up pretty well though. I am having problems though capturing videos onto Windows 8 though. I thought it was my camera that was not properly working, but after researching I found that a lot of people are having issues with Sony Handycams being recognized by Windows Vista or later Windows software. I have the Pinnacle MovieBox 710-USB to capture, and Pinnacle Studios as the software to capture/edit. The program will recognize the videos from the camera through AV cables, but the transfer isn't too great and frames get dropped. After a lot of trial and error, purchasing the Pinnacle device, and getting the cables needed, I am still unable to get my Windows 8 computer to recognize video through any IEEE 1394 Firewire cable. My lap top doesn't have any slots to add a capture card either, and doesn't have a 6 pin or 4 pin IEEE firewire slot (which is why I had to get the Pinnacle MovieBox).

So after all of my rambling, has anybody else had this problem that found a solution lol? Or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Have you tried Cam Studio for Windows?
Sep 19, 2014 2:26AM PDT
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Answer
What is this cable
Sep 19, 2014 2:38AM PDT

You mention the IEEE 1394 cable but write you don't have a firewire slot. This makes me think you tried one of those firewite to USB cables. Let's write this again. There are no USB to FIREWIRE cables that work. (The moviebox is not a cable.)

Other solutions I use:
1. I have old PCs (2 left) that have the firewire and WinDV to handle that old capture.
2. A client exploded over the techyness (techmess?) of firewire capture and found Sony's DVDirect boxes.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sony+vrdmc5+dvdirect&tag=CNET

Bob

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RE: What is this cable
Sep 19, 2014 7:56AM PDT

I did make the mistake of buying/trying a firewire to USB cable. I meant to say I didn't have a firewire slot, but now I do via the MovieBox. The MovieBox works fine, it's just the firewire cable is still not being detected by my computer when plugged in. I did read that windows 8 only detects 4 pin to 4 pin, but I am not sure if there is anything I can get to connect a 4 pin to 4 pin to my computer (not having any slots for a pci card). When I tried the Firewire to USB 4 pin connection, Windows couldn't identify what the USB was trying to connect to.

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Odd.
Sep 19, 2014 8:05AM PDT

I've never in over a decade plus of firewire use seen any diff from 4, 6 or more wire firewire "detection." I'm left to guess you are trying any of those USB to firewire cables and again, there are so many no answers there. I don't want to upset you but no, those have never worked but there is a market for the cable, in spite of the facts. Folk ask for them, so the market sells them.

Bob