I have a Sony DCR-HC30 sitting here, connected to my computer via USB and I want to download the movie I have on the MiniDV tape to my computer. Sony tells me I need their Picture Package software but I have a hard time believing there isn't freeware out there that does just what I want.

Unfortunately, unlike my digicam, I cannot browse the device.

Any suggestions for software or recommendations for how to proceed? Thanks for the help.

Elliot

 

you have to capture the video from your camcorder. this will be in real time. so if the clip you want is 10 minutes long, then it will take 10 minutes to capture. if you have the latest windows movie maker, you may be able to use that. if not, download here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...viemaker2.mspx

according to that page, they recommend using firewire
you can also try ulead video studio pro. there's a trial version and info here http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm

dunno if that helps any. i only use windows for games and everything else on a Mac. so i'm going by what i remember

 

USB will be the slow and lower quality. Firewire is what you need.

 

thanks w1n78.. but both of these software products require IEEE 1394 or video capture card.. I don't have either.. According to Sony, all I need is a USB cable and Sony Picture Package Software.. the software, as far as I know, cannot be anything special that other software cannot also do..

curious..

 

from what i hear there are abilities firewire can do that usb 2.0 can't do. i could have it wrong. but if you noticed most softwares use firewire for video capture. did your camcorder come with any software at all to capture video?

also check out pinnacle studio here http://www.pinnaclesys.com

i dunno if it requires firewire as well