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Question

Connect Sony DCR HC96 to Windows 8 laptop

Oct 5, 2014 1:25PM PDT

I'm trying to figure out how I can transfer video from my old Sony handcam to my current Dell laptop running Windows 8.

I used to use the firewire connection on my previous laptop, but the new one doesn't have a firewire port. It does have USB, mini Displayport, and HDMI.

USB connection doesn't seem to be an option.

Is there a cable or adapter that I can use to connect to the camera via the mini Displayport?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
No to the question.
Oct 5, 2014 3:13PM PDT

I find it best to use a Sony DVDirect for now. Some will write about that Pinnacle box.
Bob

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Answer
Laptop problem
Oct 5, 2014 6:49PM PDT

So many people have your problem of connecting a DV camcorder to a laptop. You could search for a FireWire adapter card.
Another option is to use a DVD recorder with a FireWire port. For example a Panasonic DMR-ES15EB DVD recorder/player will work fine. I have used mine with a Canon HV20 camcorder. You can then load the recorded DVD into your laptop.

I would never use a laptop for video work - they are too limiting. My tower system has a FireWire card fitted for the HV20 as well as the normal range of SD card readers (used for my Panasonic HC-V 700 and V750) plus extra memory, a suitable graphics card to run two monitors (for video editing) and an internal spec to run the current range of video editors. If the new editors require more power, I will simply update the working parts to suit.

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Answer
I don't mean to pile on
Oct 8, 2014 11:54PM PDT

just providing additional clarification...

The miniDisplay port and HDMI port on the laptop are outbound (from the computer to a monitor) only, so they would not help. These are not bi-directional ports.

The USB drivers that used to allow what you want to do fell out of support in the Windows XP days, so a direct connection with that is not possible for the standard definition video import.

You did not tell us which Dell laptop... if it has an ExpressCard or PCMCIA slot, then adding a card with a firewire port is easy and inexpensive.

In addition to the already mentioned direct-to-DVD method is to get an "analog/digital converter". Black Magic (Intensity Shuttle), Elgato and others make them. Connect the camcorder's AV-out (not firewire) to the analog/digital converter box, connect the A/D converter to the computer's USB port. Launch the video editor, press play on the camcorder, import/capture the video...

As for using a laptop for video editing - it depends on the laptop and since we don't know anything about yours other than it is a newer Dell, it is impossible to know what yours can (or cannot) do and what issues you might have. Because your DCR-HC96 gets standard definition video to miniDV tape, getting that into the laptop is not a big deal for the laptop's CPU. High definition video might be exciting, but standard def is not so problematic. Most newer laptops have enough RAM to do what is needed (for standard def video importing and editing). If there are any specific issues, they will likely be hard drive space and external monitor square footage. An external monitor via VGA connection is easy enough to do. Adding an external hard drive to store the video project files is a USB connection away.