Importing Video from Sony Handycam Camcorder

Filed in: Gadgets, Tips — February 12th, 2006

Importing video from camcorder seems easy, but sometimes it can be quite trouble.

My brother shot some videos with Sony DCR-HC32 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder. He imports the video through USB cable to his notebook, but the video quality is very bad. The video is fine if viewed from camcorder itself and TV (connected via video input).

This is weird. We tried different video editing softwares but still getting the same bad quality.

Beside USB, the Sony Handycam Camcorder also supports video export via i.LINK (also known as Firewire, or IEEE1394). However, Sony does not include firewire cable in the package. It is an optional item, which you have to buy it by yourselves.

Import video by using i.LINK ( IEEE1394 / Firewire) port

Since import via USB gets bad quality video, we decided to import from i.LINK port, which is better than USB in video data transferring. We connected the Sony Handycam Camcorder with notebook by a i.LINK cable, but Microsoft Windows XP did not detect the videocam!

It was the time when Google search is useful.

I found a forum thread about camcorder can’t be detected problem. The solution is very simple — “Make sure you use the camcorder power supply, not just the camcorder battery“. Hey, it works!

Finally, my brother can import video from camcorder in its original quality.

My two cents

I still don’t understand why import video from USB port will affect the video quality. Also, why don’t Sony include a Firewire cable with the package?

By the way, camcorder is getting much affordable now. With about RM2000 plus, you can get a branded camcorder. Maybe I should skip digital camera and get camcorder instead?

Bonus: What is FireWire?

FireWire (also known as i.Link or IEEE 1394) is a personal computer (and digital audio/video) serial bus interface standard, offering high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data services. FireWire has replaced SCSI in many applications due to lower implementation costs and a simplified and more adaptable cabling system.

Almost all modern digital camcorders have included this connection since 1995. Many computers intended for home or professional audio/video use have built-in FireWire ports including all Macintosh and Sony computers currently produced. FireWire was also an attractive feature on the Apple iPod for several years, permitting new tracks to be uploaded in a few seconds and also for the battery to be recharged concurrently with one cable.

[ Read FireWire by Wikipedia ]

camcorder, dcr-hc32, handycam, minidv, sony, videocam

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jyotirmay

sir,

when i connected my handycam with computer,i am not able to import the videos using the software given by SONY .the message gives that “Cannot find the Handycam (Tape).Check the i.LINK connection to the Handycam.”

i checked all the connection which is alright & the power was ON too. A new hardwire was detected but i cant import.

sir plz help me??
jyotirmay

sir,

when i connected my handycam with computer,i am not able to import the videos using the software given by SONY .the message gives that “Cannot find the Handycam (Tape).Check the i.LINK connection to the Handycam.”

i checked all the connection which is alright & the power was ON too. A new hardwire was detected but i cant import.

sir plz help me??
Kamal Kalra

Hi I purchased the sony DCR-DVD708E handycam model. I’m able to shoot from the handycam but I’m not able to install the Picture motion browser on my PC having Windows XP. At Confirm camera action screen of Sony Picture utility, when at step 3 I connect the camera using USB cable and select computer connection mode in handycam, it displayes “Preparing…” continuesly. I observed this for 30 minutes and then turned off the handycam as the battery was going to exhaust. This is the 3rd time I’m trying and getting the same result. The installation does not go beyond the Preparing… message in handycam. Can anybody let me know where is the problem.

Regards Kamal
Kamal Kalra

Hi I purchased the sony DCR-DVD708E handycam model. I’m able to shoot from the handycam but I’m not able to install the Picture motion browser on my PC having Windows XP. At Confirm camera action screen of Sony Picture utility, when at step 3 I connect the camera using USB cable and select computer connection mode in handycam, it displayes “Preparing…” continuesly. I observed this for 30 minutes and then turned off the handycam as the battery was going to exhaust. This is the 3rd time I’m trying and getting the same result. The installation does not go beyond the Preparing… message in handycam. Can anybody let me know where is the problem.

Regards Kamal
Rom

Man, this topic has helped me so much!!! i had the exact same problem, but i have to buy the I.Link port and i have to look for it somewhere in a store… sooo thanks for this topic! now i understand why my videos transfered to my pc was like 140 MB / Sec. and that bad video quality… but i got a question

when you transfer the videos from the camera to the PC using FireWire cable… how does those archives weights?

i got a Sony HCR-36 Camcorder THANKS!
Rom

Man, this topic has helped me so much!!! i had the exact same problem, but i have to buy the I.Link port and i have to look for it somewhere in a store… sooo thanks for this topic! now i understand why my videos transfered to my pc was like 140 MB / Sec. and that bad video quality… but i got a question

when you transfer the videos from the camera to the PC using FireWire cable… how does those archives weights?

i got a Sony HCR-36 Camcorder THANKS!
http://web.mac.com/rishim Rishi

I have a dcr-dvd203e, and i plug it into my mbp and it asks me if i want to open imovie or dvd player. i select imovie, and import the videos. for some reason each video apperars twice, but i just import one version. you don’t even need to finalise the disc. in fact, when you do finalise the disc the camcorder creates a 3 minute video of each photo, so your probably best off not finalising. And, by the way, the quality of the imported videos is crystal clear. to import the photos, go into iphoto, go to import to library and go onto the only folder on the dvd. inside there should be another folder. go into it. inside here are your photos. put them wherever you want, not just in iphoto. i;’m pretty this should work in windows (?). i don’t know how u people on PCs should do for video, though.
http://web.mac.com/rishim Rishi

I have a dcr-dvd203e, and i plug it into my mbp and it asks me if i want to open imovie or dvd player. i select imovie, and import the videos. for some reason each video apperars twice, but i just import one version. you don’t even need to finalise the disc. in fact, when you do finalise the disc the camcorder creates a 3 minute video of each photo, so your probably best off not finalising. And, by the way, the quality of the imported videos is crystal clear. to import the photos, go into iphoto, go to import to library and go onto the only folder on the dvd. inside there should be another folder. go into it. inside here are your photos. put them wherever you want, not just in iphoto. i;’m pretty this should work in windows (?). i don’t know how u people on PCs should do for video, though.
Venkat

Hi,

I am trying to transfer a video from SONY DC HCR 38E to my laptop using a firewire cable through the software provided by SONY.
The size of the file being transferred is around 1 GB for 5 minutes. Man, thats too high.
Which software do I need to use to convert a video of 1 hour duration whose size can be upto 4 gb so that I can write it on a dvd.

I tried to use windows movie maker but even the best quality of that is not good at all.
Please suggest me.

Thanks,
Venkat
Venkat

Hi,

I am trying to transfer a video from SONY DC HCR 38E to my laptop using a firewire cable through the software provided by SONY.
The size of the file being transferred is around 1 GB for 5 minutes. Man, thats too high.
Which software do I need to use to convert a video of 1 hour duration whose size can be upto 4 gb so that I can write it on a dvd.

I tried to use windows movie maker but even the best quality of that is not good at all.
Please suggest me.

Thanks,
Venkat
http://www.yahoo.com/ mohit

when i connect my sony handy cam to computer. the video streaming software show unable to detect cam corder so what is the solution
http://www.yahoo.com mohit

when i connect my sony handy cam to computer. the video streaming software show unable to detect cam corder so what is the solution
SC14

I am about ready to throw my Sony Handycam against the wall and smash it into little bits and pieces. I have been to multiple forums trying to figure out how to transfer video from my camera to my PC with ZERO success. I have tried all kinds of different software as well as installed various drivers. No matter what I do, nothing works and I am NOT computer illiterate. Sony should be ashamed at their products and support. This is sickening to me.
SC14

I am about ready to throw my Sony Handycam against the wall and smash it into little bits and pieces. I have been to multiple forums trying to figure out how to transfer video from my camera to my PC with ZERO success. I have tried all kinds of different software as well as installed various drivers. No matter what I do, nothing works and I am NOT computer illiterate. Sony should be ashamed at their products and support. This is sickening to me.
Queer Dave

Hello All,

I have this Sony handycam dcr-hc26, I used to be able to connect it to my PC via a USB, I had to go through the camcorders settings menu and switch it to USB streaming. I recently Smashed the screen on it and when i shut the screen nothing happens, i can not see anything through the viewfinder, any one know how i can stop the cam displaying via the smashed screen and make it permananly come out of thje view finder?

Thanks

Big Dave
Queer Dave

Hello All,

I have this Sony handycam dcr-hc26, I used to be able to connect it to my PC via a USB, I had to go through the camcorders settings menu and switch it to USB streaming. I recently Smashed the screen on it and when i shut the screen nothing happens, i can not see anything through the viewfinder, any one know how i can stop the cam displaying via the smashed screen and make it permananly come out of thje view finder?

Thanks

Big Dave
Debbie

I have a SONY Handycam Video 8 CCD-TTR490 NTSC and am trying to download to the my PC (SONY VAIO Pentium D) via red, white, & yellow jacks from the camcorder to the back of the PC with the same jacks. I can not down load the image. Any assistance is much appreciated!
Debbie

I have a SONY Handycam Video 8 CCD-TTR490 NTSC and am trying to download to the my PC (SONY VAIO Pentium D) via red, white, & yellow jacks from the camcorder to the back of the PC with the same jacks. I can not down load the image. Any assistance is much appreciated!
Rachel

If your computer doesn’t recognize the camcorder, go into the camcorders MENU SETUP and select USB Streaming, select ON. You will probably still need USB drivers. I have Vista and it can’t find the drivers. Anyone know where I can get the USB drivers?
Rachel

If your computer doesn’t recognize the camcorder, go into the camcorders MENU SETUP and select USB Streaming, select ON. You will probably still need USB drivers. I have Vista and it can’t find the drivers. Anyone know where I can get the USB drivers?
Donna

Please HELP! My Sony DVD106E importer program was running fine until a little while ago – i hadn’t used it for ages and went to upload some footage and it crashed. It recognises the footage but when it starts to import I get the message “SPUDiscImporter.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close”. Sony are refusing to admit there is a problem. I am running XP. I have tried VR mode, Video mode, finalized, unfinalized, USB import, direct into drive access, nothing makes any diff. Please help!! My baby is getting older and I missing out on important milestone footage! Thanks Donna.
Donna

Please HELP! My Sony DVD106E importer program was running fine until a little while ago – i hadn’t used it for ages and went to upload some footage and it crashed. It recognises the footage but when it starts to import I get the message “SPUDiscImporter.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close”. Sony are refusing to admit there is a problem. I am running XP. I have tried VR mode, Video mode, finalized, unfinalized, USB import, direct into drive access, nothing makes any diff. Please help!! My baby is getting older and I missing out on important milestone footage! Thanks Donna.
john

I use a Sony mini dvd handycam. The footage is recorded onto a mini dvd. Does any one know what the problem is when you record film footage on a mini dvd and then transfer it to a regular dvd-r, the date does not show up on the recorded dvd-r. The date is displayed on the mini dvd on playback and this option on the handycam is enabled.

Can anyone please help?

Thanks
http://n/a john

I use a Sony mini dvd handycam. The footage is recorded onto a mini dvd. Does any one know what the problem is when you record film footage on a mini dvd and then transfer it to a regular dvd-r, the date does not show up on the recorded dvd-r. The date is displayed on the mini dvd on playback and this option on the handycam is enabled.

Can anyone please help?

Thanks
Van Tran

Sony software is not good …I never buy any product from sony again..even the software for edit music is very limit song to im/export
Van Tran

Sony software is not good …I never buy any product from sony again..even the software for edit music is very limit song to im/export
NEIL

Hi I HAVE AN OLD SONY TRV15E CAMCORDER AND WANT TO TRANSFER VIDEO FROM TAPE TO PC.THE OUTLETS ON CAM ARE WHITE AND BLACK AND RFU OUTLET.IHAVE JUST BOUGHT A VIDEO GRABBER BUT LEADS DONT MATCH UP CAN ANYBODY HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ? THANKS
NEIL

Hi I HAVE AN OLD SONY TRV15E CAMCORDER AND WANT TO TRANSFER VIDEO FROM TAPE TO PC.THE OUTLETS ON CAM ARE WHITE AND BLACK AND RFU OUTLET.IHAVE JUST BOUGHT A VIDEO GRABBER BUT LEADS DONT MATCH UP CAN ANYBODY HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ? THANKS
eksty

help! i think i will be able to find out the answer here. I have dcr-hc48e, same as the one who posted in this blog. my camcorder won’t be detected in windows xp when connected using firewire cable. my firewire cable and pci card is working, the programs i use for capturing movies from the tape works fine with the USB mode but no in firewire.

I’m just bothered. with the other units (hcr-32) and the likes, i found out that there are swithes like UBS on/off which can deactivate or activate the Firewire function. in the docking station of hcr-48e, there are no switch like that. only 4 ports are there. by the way, the docking station in dcra-c155. i’m still wondering if this problem could still be resolved. i hope i can transfer movies using my firewire. help please. thanks!
eksty

help! i think i will be able to find out the answer here. I have dcr-hc48e, same as the one who posted in this blog. my camcorder won’t be detected in windows xp when connected using firewire cable. my firewire cable and pci card is working, the programs i use for capturing movies from the tape works fine with the USB mode but no in firewire.

I’m just bothered. with the other units (hcr-32) and the likes, i found out that there are swithes like UBS on/off which can deactivate or activate the Firewire function. in the docking station of hcr-48e, there are no switch like that. only 4 ports are there. by the way, the docking station in dcra-c155. i’m still wondering if this problem could still be resolved. i hope i can transfer movies using my firewire. help please. thanks!
Bob

Can anyone out there that can help me? Where can I purchase a firewire cable from for my Sony DCR-SR45 to my iMac? The USB cable that comes with my camera can’t be used in my iMac.
Bob

Can anyone out there that can help me? Where can I purchase a firewire cable from for my Sony DCR-SR45 to my iMac? The USB cable that comes with my camera can’t be used in my iMac.
opec

Please help me on this one, i have successfully installed sony picture package for me to transfer my videos and burn it on a VCD, my problem was upon clicking the BURN VCD button on my camcorder, it does not detect my CD/DVD writer, why is this so?

http://intensedebate.com/people/liewcf liewcf

why did you click BURN VCD button on your Camcorder and not your cd burning software?

opec

Please help me on this one, i have successfully installed sony picture package for me to transfer my videos and burn it on a VCD, my problem was upon clicking the BURN VCD button on my camcorder, it does not detect my CD/DVD writer, why is this so?

http://intensedebate.com/people/liewcf liewcf

why did you click BURN VCD button on your Camcorder and not your cd burning software?

modem

I just got Sony DCR-TRV280 Camcorder as gift. It carries great power with the stamina battery power-management system, which allows you to continuously record for up to 12 hours on a single full charge. I really like to use it.

modem
http://www.zoombits.fr/accessoire-ordinateur/ disque dure externe

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I never find this type of appropriate information on Internet.
Really good one.