The "active interface" shoe is on top of the camcorder - and is used to connect to proprietary Sony mics (and certain Sony-specific video lights). There is no video to transfer through that interface "active interface" shoe.
I think what you are calling the "active interface" is actually the "Handycam station" also called a Docking station.
As you have found, the HC96 was not designed for what you want to do.
I DO NOT recommend this, but velcro or bungie cords may be your only option - Do not block the tape door; do not force anything - like the LCD panel. This really sounds like a bad idea... You don't want to use tape because removing it later will be a pain. You could build a wood or metal mount that connects to the tripod and the base station... This still sounds like a bad idea... You are basically going to put your camcorder at risk of dropping off the tripod.
Good luck.
I need to use tripod for live broadcasting with camcorder. I use active interface shoe to interface camcorder to my laptop with firewire cable. Since active interface shoe does not have screws(hole) on the bottom of interface, I can't seem to find tripod that is compatible with Sony HC96 camcorder. If I use any other generic tripod, would is recommanded way to hold the camcorder and tripod together? Just tied them together?
I thank you in advance.
Tony
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