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General discussion

is there a way to use a handicam as a webcam?

Mar 10, 2010 11:32AM PST

this is more an intellectual exercise than a practical question, as i understand that webcams are relatively cheap. but i have an extra sony trv 38 digital camera just sitting here, and i was wondering if there was a way to hook this thing up via firewire and use it as a webcam for skype calls, etc. note i tried "orangeware" but i got a very nasty warning from windows xp not to install it.

running xp on a HP dv1432 laptop. thanks! - fj

Discussion is locked

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Why not?
Mar 10, 2010 11:37AM PST

Just so you know why the makers don't hand out drivers for this. The usual camcorder is not made to run continuously for many hours. This means that such could fry the camcorder under such use.

Again, if they don't give a driver, they are telling you it is not made for such use.
Bob

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Using your handicam as a webcam
Mar 11, 2010 1:58AM PST

You need either a video capture card in your computer, or a video capture cable. I use the latter on my HP laptop and made both a Sony video camera and a Panasonic video camera into webcams. I got the cable from VideoInterviewKits.com.

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well not planning long use
Mar 11, 2010 10:33AM PST

well i talk with a friend on skype maybe once a month for an hour, and since webcams are $20 you can see how little real urgency there is. i was just wondering if it was possible, i.e., if there was free software available just to experiment with. -fj

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Why no one writes such software.
Mar 13, 2010 2:13AM PST

Wait for it.

"Your software killed my camcorder."

Even with all disclaimers you can bet someone will sue.
Bob

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well then my curiosity is now satisfied!
Mar 14, 2010 6:41AM PDT

thanks - jl