Connect a DCR-TRV10E to a PC

[errober86]

My friend has an old Sony camcorder, a DCR-TRV10E. He wants to produce a DVD of his videos. Unfortunately the only cable he has just allows him to connect it to his Sony DVD recorder and he's been using this means of producing his DVDs. The problem is that these seem only to be playable on another Sony machine whereas he would like them to be played on any DVD player.

Would he be able to purchase a cable that would connect his camcorder to his PC and if so what software would he need to use to convert his videos into a format that could be used to produce a normal DVD?

[Blencogo]

Hi errober86.

To transfer video from this camcorder to a PC will require an iLink cable.  Does his PC have an iLink port (aka DV or firewire)?  This cable will only cost a few pounds.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Firewire-4pin-4pin-IEEE-iLink-Cable/dp/B000K7BDW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=134...

If you let us know what connections are on the PC and what version of Windows he is running, someone will be able to help.

Have a look at Page 73 of the manual, which shows the iLink connection (Called DV in and out).

http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/3866811131.pdf

If the PC has a firewire port, you can use Windows Movie Maker software to edit the video and burn to DVD.

[errober86]

Hi Blencogo

Thanks for the reply.

He's running Windows 7 and he doesn't have a iLink port on his PC. However I've found an old USB cable with a mini-USB plug at the other end which I think will connect into his camcorder. I think he should be able to use that but it will be much slower?

Thanks for the suggestion of using Windows Movie Maker to burn the DVD - I've been running a Mac for some time now and am quite out of touch with Windows software!

Another thought. The DVD he currently manages to produce using his Sony recorder contains a folder named DVD_RTAV which has two files, VR_MANGR.IFO and VR_MOVIE.VRO. I've been able to play the video on my Mac using the latter and VLC. Do you know if Windows Movie Maker would be able to use that file to produce a DVD?

Eric

[Blencogo]

Hi Eric.

Unfortunately, USB is not supported by anything newer than XP - so Windows 7 will not support a USB connection.  It has to be a firewire connection I'm afraid.

Does his PC have an ExpressCard Slot or an older PC Card Slot?  If so a firewire card should work.

[Sueshops]

Hi Errober86,

I have a DCR-TRV265E and have had the same problem, all this came about when I updated my computer to Windows 7, but I have found a solution :smileyhappy:.

I purchased a VCAP602 from the following website:

http://www.climaxdigital.co.uk/epages/BT3449.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3449

It comes with very basic software for uploading from camcorder to PC, and leads to connect your camcorder to a USB port. There is a chance that you may have to buy an additional lead which I already had I think they cost about £5.00.

It is compatable with Windows XP, VISTA & WINDOWS 7. It is also compatable with Windows Live Movie Maker.  I received mine today, loaded the software, connected the cables, and I am up and running again.  Total cost, just £23.00 including p&p, it took two days to arrive.

NB:  Anyone wishing to purchase this product to resolve "old camcorder - new operating system" please make sure you e-mail the shop owner Frank before making a purchase.  His e-mail address is on the site under "support" He has several leads which all look similar, not all will work with your particular camcorder.  I found him very helpful, even to the point where I photographed the video out sockets on my camcorder and both ends of the leads I had (I'm not very technical minded).  I was given sound advice as to which of his products I should purchase for my camcorder/operating system.

I am so pleased I found the website as I had already downloaded the "new" Sony drivers and the software they suggested and it just doesn't work, the camcorder is still not recognised.

All the best

Sue

Message was edited by: Sueshops