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Sony DCR-TRV740 Camcorder

Anonymous
2012-03-15T18:43:33+00:00

Need to transfer loads of old family video tapes from Sony DCR-TRV740 to Dell XPS430 running Vista 32-bit.

Transfer is OK with older laptop (Dell Inspiron 8500 running XP) using USB connection.  Can also edit (slowly, poor quality) with Windows Moviemaker.

But Sony says no USB driver available for Vista. Sony suggested Firewire iLink from camera to PC but Camera is not recognized at Device Manager, and therefore cannot transfer to PC. Tried importing to Sony Movie Studio 9 Platinum ProPack and to VS Video Recorder software - Neither recognises the  camera.

My question - does anyone have solution??

Would upgrading to Windows 7 work? (The Professional and Ultimate both include an XP Mode) . . . . . More expense - but would that let me use the Sony XP driver? or Firewire?

Getting desperate - Have spent days on this runaround.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-16T02:45:11+00:00

    In XP I captured from digital8 and mini-DV camcorders using firewire connections, not USB. There were USB devices that worked but the quality of DV-AVI files was equal to what was on the tapes and I preferred not going down in quality. The USB devices got you to many different file types and quality settings.

    As Apple and Microsoft dropped firewire support for capturing digital video, it was left for users to do what they could for themselves. In my case, USB works with my newest camcorder, a Sony HD model, and I now have all of my hi8/mini-DV tapes as DV-AVI files on external hard drives, I don't have the urgency of capturing other material that way.

    As computers with XP and firewire are still plentiful, and external hard drive space is cheaper than digital8/mini-DV tapes I suggest using such a setup to copy your full library from tapes. It will remain possible to do it later but maybe not as easy as using a friend's computer.

    Sorry, I don't know enough to answer questions about the extent  virtual or compatibility modes work or don't....

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-15T21:16:36+00:00

    You have an analog source and a system that recognizes digital.

    If you happen to also own a DV Camera...the following articles may be the answer.

    Windows Vista - Import analog video to your computer by using a DV camera

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Import-analog-video-to-your-computer-by-using-a-DV-camera

    Windows Vista - Toss out those VHS tapes

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Toss-out-those-VHS-tapes-Save-your-home-videos-to-DVD

    Capture analog video using a digital camcorder

    http://www.videohelp.com/dvanalog

    Using Windows DVD Maker (Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00844627&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3643454

    (scroll down and read the paragraph: Importing analog video)

    Another alternative would be to purchase an analog video capture device:

    The following link is just an example so you can see what the hardware looks like...

    SABRENT USB-AVCPT USB 2.0 Audio Video Creator Capture DVD Maker Editor Adapter

    http://www.amazon.com/SABRENT-USB-AVCPT-Creator-Capture-Adapter/dp/B0011N9QNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315664780&sr=8-1

    A search on Amazon or Google for Analog Video Capture Device will find

    more examples.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-16T04:37:12+00:00

    You don't need a fast computer.... the tape can only play at real-time speed so an hour tape takes an hour to copy.... (2 hours for a full 2 hour Hi8 tape). It can't go faster or slower. Your processor isn't heavily used during it. Do a 5 minute test and if it works fine, keep going.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-16T01:36:38+00:00

    It's getting progressively harder to use firewire to get from a digital8 camcorder tape to a computer DV-AVI file... that's because firewire ports are not being included in new computers and newer versions of windows don't include the DV driver out ot the box.

    I've been using firewire cables to get from my digital8 and mini-DV camcorder tapes to my Windows 7 systems. Install Windows Live Essentials to get the DV driver (which comes with the Photo Gallery capture wizard).

    When I got back from the MVP Summit last week I found my computer with its firewire connection to be broken so I'm scratching my head about what to do next.... my library of over 200 DV tapes are best copied via firewire.

    You can look for firewire connections in PMCIA cards.... typically USB connections are not an option.

    I feel your pain....

    PapaJohn

    PS... here's an example of a pmcia card with firewire ports... just an example, not a recommendation.... it's probably the path I'll be taking next.

    http://sewelldirect.com/firewirepcmciacard.asp

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2012-03-15T22:33:45+00:00

    You have an analog source and a system that recognizes digital.

    If you happen to also own a DV Camera...the following articles may be the answer.

    Windows Vista - Import analog video to your computer by using a DV camera

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Import-analog-video-to-your-computer-by-using-a-DV-camera

    Windows Vista - Toss out those VHS tapes

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Toss-out-those-VHS-tapes-Save-your-home-videos-to-DVD

    Capture analog video using a digital camcorder

    http://www.videohelp.com/dvanalog

    Using Windows DVD Maker (Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00844627&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3643454

    (scroll down and read the paragraph: Importing analog video)

    Another alternative would be to purchase an analog video capture device:

    The following link is just an example so you can see what the hardware looks like...

    SABRENT USB-AVCPT USB 2.0 Audio Video Creator Capture DVD Maker Editor Adapter

    http://www.amazon.com/SABRENT-USB-AVCPT-Creator-Capture-Adapter/dp/B0011N9QNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315664780&sr=8-1

    A search on Amazon or Google for Analog Video Capture Device will find

    more examples.

    No useful info here!

    (1) I already mentioned that Vista does not work with the TVR740 on USB, and does not recognise Firewire - Many have reported this.

    (2) Toss out etc - not relevantVHS

    (3) Capture analog video using a digital camcorder - needs a second DV camera with pass-through capability

    (4) Using Windows DVD Maker (Windows 7 and Windows Vista) Claims that Vista will work - It does not. Does not answer my QUESTION re the XP component in W7 Pro and Ultimate?

    (5) SABRENT USB-AVCPT USB 2.0 Audio Video Creator Capture DVD Maker Editor Adapter

    This gets very poor reviews - and di not work for most purchasers.

    Still hoping someone can read my question and respond . . . . .

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