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Question

download from Sony camcorder to Windows 8.1 desktop

Aug 11, 2014 10:31AM PDT

I have a Sony DCR-TRV50 camcorder purchased in 2002. I have not downloaded to my computer before as I simply transferred to VHS tapes. I would like to transfer to my desktop and the instructions say to be sure I have the proper drivers downloaded and application software available prior to connecting with the USB cable that came with the camcorder. How do I know which drivers are needed? Can the Windows Media Player that was installed on my desktop when I purchased the computer be used to view the transferred movies?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Sadly no. Not going to work with USB.
Aug 11, 2014 10:42AM PDT

The DCR-TRV50 I looked up uses FIREWIRE to move the video from tape to a capture "system."

Other problems?

1. http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/swu-download.pl?upd_id=1452&mdl=DCRTRV50
Windows 8 and 8.1 is not listed.

2. http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=DCRTRV50&template_id=1&region_id=1&tab=tutorials#/tutorialsTab
Click2DVD is for older OSes.

3. No again. You need FIREWIRE and apps to capture said video. It is not a download. It's capture. As you learn more you'll appreciate how differentiate this is from a download.
Bob

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Answer
FireWire
Aug 11, 2014 2:29PM PDT

If you have a tower system, you can get a FireWire card fitted. This should work but use the FireWire (Legacy) driver. Also download a copy of WinDV to get the video into your PC.