Advice On Uploading Hi-8 DV to PD 15.

Readyrob1957

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Dec 09, 2016 12:17 Messages: 34 Offline

Solved by

Dec 23, 2016 04:17

Good morning,

I recently committed to my brother I would re-edit his wedding video from about 20 years ago. The original video is on Hi-8 Tapes utilizing a Sony DCR-TRV730 video camera and want to upload the video to PowerDirector 15 using the best and easiest technology available. My computer is a couple of years old and does not have a Firewire connector on it.

The video camera obviously utilizes older technology and I am running into one road block after another:

1) I can't find the drivers for this camera on Sony's website, when I try to download the drivers for the camera for Windows 2000, it says not compatible with the version of windows I am currently using. There were no drivers listed for Windows 7, etc.

2) When I connnected the USB 4 pin mini B female connector on the camera to the USB cable plugged into my computer, I did not get an indication from PD 15 or from Windows File Manager that the camera was recognized.

3) I have a DV In/Out 4 pin female connector on the camera and read somewhere that this is the best method of connecting the camera to the computer and PD 15 should recognize the camera using this connector. This means I need to order a (6ft USB 2.0 A to 4-pin Mini-B Cable) and see if that works.

4) Researching the owner's manual for the Sony DCR-TRV730 camera, it mentions loading the drivers from the CD provided, which I no longer have. It also mentions when downloading the driver for the camera onto the computer, to make certain the Sony Memory Stick is inserted into the camera prior to downlaoding. Of course, I no longer have the Sony Memory Stick.

I hope this issue ins't as complicated as I am making it and there is a short and simple solution to my problem. Again, I want to transfer video from a Hi-8 tape to PD 15 so I can edit it. I have spent hours trying to research this and getting no where. BTW, I bought a refurbished Sony DCR-TRV730 camera that works great and the quality of the playback of the original tapes is amazing. Just wish they would have sent me the CD and the Memory Stick with the camera.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Dec 23. 2016 04:19

"I believe everything's gonna be alright."

SoNic67

Senior Contributor Joined: Sep 27, 2014 14:14 Messages: 1308 Offline

Dec 23, 2016 08:42

You need an IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.Link card for video, that USB port/connection is used only for transferring the pictures from the memory stick.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/Crest-Firewire-External-Components-SI-PEX30017/dp/B006DQ0KD2?th=1

To copy the files via Firewire (all you need is just a simple copy, not a "capture") you can use a very simple program: http://windv.mourek.cz/

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at Dec 23. 2016 08:57

stevek

Senior Contributor Location: Houston, Texas USA Joined: Jan 25, 2011 12:18 Messages: 4663 Offline

Dec 23, 2016 09:04

Adding a bit to what SoNic67 says.

That camcorder is a digital camcorder (rather then an analog. I looked for and tested a few converters for IEEE to USB and none of them worked. I did not try any of the more expensive ones.

The IEEE issue was part of the reason I bought a new computer. See if your brother has a IEEE port on his computer. Unless you have a laptop, you should ber able to install a IEEE port inexpensively. .
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BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

Dec 23, 2016 10:01

Do not look for a driver for the camera, there isn't one. The driver is in the ieee card, if needed. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Readyrob1957

Newbie Location: San Diego, CA Joined: Dec 09, 2016 12:17 Messages: 34 Offline

Dec 23, 2016 13:51

Quote Do not look for a driver for the camera, there isn't one. The driver is in the ieee card, if needed.[/quotePostId

Thank you very much, I was going crazy trying to figure this out on my own and with such limited experience and knowledge of video editing.

Happy Holidays!] "I believe everything's gonna be alright."

BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

Dec 23, 2016 18:26

I wish to add that one should never EVER plug or unplug a firewire cable from a ''hot'' camera. NEVER. Always turn the camera off or you'll possibly fry the camera connection. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT