Sony video camera and Vista query

[Cyrano]

Now that Windows vista computer has settled down thought it was time to look at last years videos taken on Sony HC-19E.

Can't get camera and computer to talk to one another and therefore USB stream does not work.

I'm getting compatability error message.

Anyone know a solution that does not involve getting a new video camera?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't know much about the camcorder you are talking about. Most mini-DV camcorders connect to computers via IEEE 1394 (aka Firewire or i.Link) rather than USB. When they do connect via USB, it is only to exchange low quality "web-cam" like footage.

Does your computer have a IEEE 1394 plug? It'll look like the picture below (from the Wikipedia Firewire article):

 

[Cyrano]

Does your computer have a IEEE 1394 plug?

Although the camcorder has and iLink connector the PC does not

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Is it a laptop or desktop computer? There are ways to add such a connector to either.

 

[Cyrano]

Is it a laptop or desktop computer? There are ways to add such a connector to either.

It's a desktop

 

[MarkBarbieri]

You need to add a 1394 (firewire) card to your computer. Typically, that is a PCI card like these:

Newegg Firewire Card $4.99

Best Buy Firewire Card $37.99

I'm listing those as examples of the type of card. I really don't know anything about those specific model. In my experience, they are generic items that all perform the same.

The trick is getting it installed in your desktop. If you are computer savvy, it's really very simple. If you aren't, it's still very simple but most non-geeks are too intimidated to even try it. If you are in that category, I suggest that you get a trustworth neighborhood geek to do it for $20. If you're neighborhood doesn't have good, cheap geeks, you can have it installed at a place like Best Buy. It's much cheaper to order the $5 part and pay the geek $20 than it is to buy the $40 version and pay Best Buy $50 to install it.

 

[dbenlee]

Cyrano, your compatibility issue might be solved with a download and an upgrade of the driver. In searching the Sony website, I found this page that might help. I don't know if it includes information on Vista, but it might be worth a try. Also, if you can't solve the problem with these instructions, you might try contacting Sony support and see what they have to say on the matter.

Here is the link to the Sony Knowledge base -
http://kb.sony-europe.com/SRVS/CGI-...,K=7876,Sxi=16,Question1231=obj(1231):obj(951)

I hope this helps - good luck.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Here is a trouble-shooting link, also.

 

[Cyrano]

From here it would seem that the video camera is not supported.

Bit annoyed that Sony can't be bothered to provide an updated patch.

Looks like firewire will be the way to go Definitely cheaper than new camera

 

[Cyrano]

Meant to add. Does anyone think that I might still have compatibility issues with Vista, the camera and a IEEE 1394 plug

 

[NostalgicDad]

Meant to add. Does anyone think that I might still have compatibility issues with Vista, the camera and a IEEE 1394 plug

It is possible to have compatibility issues with Vista and Firewire but can most likely be solved with updated drivers from the manufacturer. Settle on a particular one and research it to make sure they have drivers available and also make sure they are for 32-bit or 64-bit Vista, whichever you are running. For example, my Western Digital Pro Edition 500GB My Book works fine through my USB 2.0 connection on Vista 64 but WD does not have and does not plan to have drivers to support firewire connections for my specific model.

A little double-checking beforehand can save you some grief as some will work fine when others don't. I use Newegg almost exclusively and usually buy items there based on number of reviews and quality of reviews per item.

 

[Cyrano]

It is possible to have compatibility issues with Vista and Firewire but can most likely be solved with updated drivers from the manufacturer. Settle on a particular one and research it to make sure they have drivers available

Appreciated, thanks

 

[oravecz]

I was doing USB streaming just fine with my DCR-HC85 on Windows XP. Moving to Vista, I now no longer have USB streaming capabilities.

The firewire connections mentioned in this post are for extracting digita video from the camera from a taped source, and this still works fine in vista and xp.

I want to use my camcorder as a web cam and need usb streaming to work. Any ideas?

-- jim

 

[Cyrano]

I was doing USB streaming just fine with my DCR-HC85 on Windows XP. Moving to Vista, I now no longer have USB streaming capabilities.

The firewire connections mentioned in this post are for extracting digita video from the camera from a taped source, and this still works fine in vista and xp.

I want to use my camcorder as a web cam and need usb streaming to work. Any ideas?

-- jim

There was a list of videocams on the Sony website which states those that are not supported with Vista and USB. Unfortunately mine was one on the list, so USB is no longer an option.