can i only use the sony hard drive or is there something similar but less costly. if not what are my options to get my video from tape to my computer??
1277929
Hard drive or or a solid state option like the kiPro from AJA unless you actually want to use tape and capture the footage digitally. Should be known that the hard drive option may not work for miniDV version of this camera only the nxcam version of this camera.
1277930
I'm not sure exactly what you are referring when you mention the sony hard drive. But you can use any brand USB cable(type B male to type A male) or any brand 9-Pin (Firewire 800) to 4-Pin IEEE-1394 or 6 pin (Firewire 400) to 4 pin IEEE 1394 Firewire cable to connect the camera directly to your computer. The sony brand Firewire cable is called an "iLink" cable but they are much more expensive than other brands. Of course, would also need an application installed on your computer that imports video, such as a simple image captive app or a full blown video editing app. I hope this is of help to you. I'm not sure exactly what you are referring when you mention the sony hard drive. But you can use any brand USB cable(type B male to type A male) or any brand 9-Pin (Firewire 800) to 4-Pin IEEE-1394 or 6 pin (Firewire 400) to 4 pin IEEE 1394 Firewire cable to connect the camera directly to your computer. The sony brand Firewire cable is called an "iLink" cable but they are much more expensive than other brands. Of course, would also need an application installed on your computer that imports video, such as a simple image captive app or a full blown video editing app. I hope... » Read More I'm not sure exactly what you are referring when you mention the sony hard drive. But you can use any brand USB cable(type B male to type A male) or any brand 9-Pin (Firewire 800) to 4-Pin IEEE-1394 or 6 pin (Firewire 400) to 4 pin IEEE 1394 Firewire cable to connect the camera directly to your computer. The sony brand Firewire cable is called an "iLink" cable but they are much more expensive than other brands. Of course, would also need an application installed on your computer that imports video, such as a simple image captive app or a full blown video editing app. I hope this is of help to you. « Show Less
1277931
Beware - there are no current PC's or laptops that I am aware of that have the 1394 Firewire function. If you buy a new firewire card and install it in a PC, chances are it will not work in Windows 7, or 8. Windows 7 does include a legacy 1394 firewire driver but I was never able to get it to work with the firewire card. Extensive research on the web reveled few computers running Windows 7, or 8 could get it to work. An older computer running Windows XP and Vista will get the job done if you need the firewire.
1277932
You don't need a Sony Hard Drive. You need a firewire port on your computer (you can buy a firewire card relatively cheap, and they are easy to install in a PC. The camera connects directly to your computer through the port. You will need capture software, most NLE editors (Premiere Pro, Final Cut, Sony Vegas etc) have capture abilities. You can usually control your camera through the firewire and NLE connection.
1436975
I am having the same problem. I ended up using my external DVD writer with my Dell. I wanted to import directly to my Mac so I could edit, but Sony didn't put a firewire on this recorder. I can copy the DVD from the camcorder on my PC, but I can't figure out how to edit it on my Mac.
1937029
If you want video recorded, you must install a disk drive internal to the unit. You cannot use the drive on a computer running Windows. The installation uses SATA cables just like a computer so nearly any SATA drive will work.
1794065
Check this out: Magnavox MDR557H/F7 1Terabyte Hard Disc Drive Digital Video Disc Recorder I connected an old vhs player and copied my tapes onto the drive. I could edit them, etc. and then transfer them to DVDs. It is great to have for every day use. You would love it!! You can record tv etc.
1998190
You'll need a camera that can play / record from / to miniDV tapes. Then you just have to interface that camera from its cable source (usb or firewire) to the computers input; with some sort of capture software. It isn't so easy as newer cameras that have hdd / flash drives, since the tapes don't store 'files' so to speak. Sorry you lost the camera.
1818493
Your question is very vague. Are you trying to edit the tapes in the camera? I always download my entire video to computer. You can use a USB cord to accomplish this however in order to get the HD version you will need a fire wire. Hope this helps
2125199
Yes pretty much anything USB or SD will work. However I tried hooking up my external hard drive and it took so long to load I gave up. Although my HD is like 400gb so that's most likely why. But I've never had issues putting like 20 movies on a flash drive and playing them. Watch out for the file type tho, MKV files won't work
2066336
No. It can only be backed-up to a usb drive unfortunately, It takes a sata hard drive, check the specs before you buy one i know these units are limited to the size of hard drive you put it so you cant even just stick a 4 TB drive in and be good for a long wile.And i wouldn't use the wipe when full fetcher every time i use it it deletes all the footage from that day & starts recording fresh.. Witch is not what you want, should just let it get full and do manual back up to usb drive so you have backed up footage to look back on if needed.Or you can have it FTP to a google drive or an FTP server i think. I know you can have it send snapshots through ftp on motion at least. No. It can only be backed-up to a usb drive unfortunately, It takes a sata hard drive, check the specs before you buy one i know these units are limited to the size of hard drive you put it so you cant even just stick a 4 TB drive in and be good for a long wile.And i wouldn't use the wipe when full fetcher every time i use it it deletes all the footage from that day & starts recording fresh.. Witch is not what you want, should just let it get full and do manual back up to usb drive so you have backed up footage to look back on if needed.Or you can have it FTP to a... » Read More No. It can only be backed-up to a usb drive unfortunately, It takes a sata hard drive, check the specs before you buy one i know these units are limited to the size of hard drive you put it so you cant even just stick a 4 TB drive in and be good for a long wile.And i wouldn't use the wipe when full fetcher every time i use it it deletes all the footage from that day & starts recording fresh.. Witch is not what you want, should just let it get full and do manual back up to usb drive so you have backed up footage to look back on if needed.Or you can have it FTP to a google drive or an FTP server i think. I know you can have it send snapshots through ftp on motion at least. « Show Less
527489
How do you copy the video to the computer? I am having problem to copy the picutres and vidio to my computer.Thanks
1998191
There are a few minidv camcorders still available and they are cheap :http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCRTRV140-Digital8-Camcorder-Streaming/dp/B0000634T4/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid;=1367267912&sr;=8-22&keywords;=mini+digital+video+cassette+player#productDescription
219875
I was wondering the same thing. we have never transferred them to vhs and no longer have a vcr. any suggestions for the easiest way to transfer would help.
1103414
I believe you can save it to the memory or use the mini sd or USB slot. You can also stream straight off of YouTube so you have an unlimited selection.
582924
Just remove your SD card from the Sony recorder and move all the dated files to your computer or laptop using a memory card reader. I moved them to the D: data drive instead of C: drive and save them in a new folder ex. "Audio mp3 Feb.2014." Hope this help you. Easy.
9022
I just read that the .MOD extension of the JVC can be changed to .MPG for recognition by Windows Media Player and should work with other software since it is a standard format. (You can do this by copying the file onto your PC, right clicking and renaming. With this extension you should be able to burn to a DVD. I am interested in purchasing this camcorder but will NOT do so if I have to purchase extra software. If someone tries this, please let me know if you are successful. JVC appears to receive much better reviews than Sony other than the burning issues. The article I read can be found at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2006-12-06-camcorder-hard-drives_x.htm. I just read that the .MOD extension of the JVC can be changed to .MPG for recognition by Windows Media Player and should work with other software since it is a standard format. (You can do this by copying the file onto your PC, right clicking and renaming. With this extension you should be able to burn to a DVD. I am interested in purchasing this camcorder but will NOT do so if I have to purchase extra software. If someone tries this, please let me know if you are successful. JVC appears to receive much better reviews than Sony other than the burning issues. The article I read can be found... » Read More I just read that the .MOD extension of the JVC can be changed to .MPG for recognition by Windows Media Player and should work with other software since it is a standard format. (You can do this by copying the file onto your PC, right clicking and renaming. With this extension you should be able to burn to a DVD. I am interested in purchasing this camcorder but will NOT do so if I have to purchase extra software. If someone tries this, please let me know if you are successful. JVC appears to receive much better reviews than Sony other than the burning issues. The article I read can be found at http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2006-12-06-camcorder-hard-drives_x.htm. « Show Less
881334
You would be better off getting a device specifically for this purpose, or you can send your tapes to a service that will convert them for you.All the big chains have devices to convert VHS to digital for anywhere from $30 to $100 ..
1895908
I use a 32Gb memory. When I bought it I checked Sony website and it doesn't say anything about maximum storage in a external drive. Perhaps you should ask Sony. Either Way I Guess It Must Support 128Gb considering the quality of HD video recording.
804824
Hi, I plug the video and sound feed from the receiver that comes with the camera to a Sony model #VRD-MC5 DVD recorder which burns the feed right to a DVD disc. From there I can go to my computer to edit the video. Sony stopped making these recorders but I found mine on eBay used. What is really nice about this Sony recorder is the small monitor screen it has so you can see what you are recording. Hope this helps and I'd be happy to try to answer any other questions. Regards, Paul