High all, I have a sony hi-8 camcorder with streaming usb, and am wondering how to copy video from it to the computer, and then on to a dvd as to watch it in my regular dvd player. I have loaded the drivers for the camcorder, but can't "find" it anywhere on the computer. when I plug it in the "connected" tone is heard, but it is no where to be seen. I think I am missing something. Do I need specific software to import video? Hardware? Totally lost. Thanks.

It took my about four months of off and on playing around to get my sony digital 8 to talk to windows vista. After messing around with everything I could think of I found out the only way Vista will recognize the camcorder is if you use a firewire port. Of course sony sends a USB cable but not a firewire cable. And of course I told the fine people that built my computer that I was going to try a little video editing and of course they never suggested nor did I ever think to add a firewire card.

A trip to the electronics superstore for a firewire card ($30) and a cable ($20) and I was downloading video.

airjer, did you have to use a special program to load the video, or is windows media player an option? Does the fire wire card have to be physically installed into the computer, or is a something that plugs in?
Thanks

If you don't have a firewire port, then I think the only way you can get one is to physically install a firewire card into your pc.
This is pretty easy, just pop open your case and slide it into an open PCI slot.

Is that a for sure that I need a fire wire? or did airjer just need one because of the vista on his computer. I am running xp pro.

I had to install one for to reasons. One, Vista will not recognise the camcorder unless it was connected with firewire. Two, data transfer with firewire is much faster than USB.

Yes I had to install a firewire card. It is a three port standard plug. It took about thirty seconds to install.

As far as importing the video I just turn on the camcorder and windows launches a program that automatically does it. I just select a couple of option and about an hour later it is done.

upon closer inspection of the camera, I have no fire wire port, that leaves me with the usb connection. Airjer, what program does your computer use?

I'm not sure? I just turn it on and a window comes up that says import video. I click a couple of buttons then the computer takes over.

Spent an hour with sony tech support, got it to work on the laptop, and then the pc. I had to use the program "windows movie maker" which was hidden in the accesories. Who knew? Still no explanation why my pc did not give me a ballon or some sign as to the camera being successfully connected. So I guess it was working all along. Next question, what file type to save the movies on the computer so later to burn them onto a dvd for use in my dvd player.
Thanks

I have been searching for the same info off on on. To date I have been importing the video under the "windows media video (single file)" I have burned a couple of test DVD's only to find out our DVD player was to old. Oh yeah its that old! So off to best buy again for a new DVD player. The video when played back on the DVD player seems to be as good as if it where played off of the camera.

I don't mean to be snarky, but find someone with an Apple and ask them for help. iMovie and iDVD are the trick and they are so easy and fast, it's not even funny. If you are in the Mankato area, I could probably help you for a 6 of nice beer!

Thanks mongo, If I was close, it would be worth more than that. Also, it says right in the manual "not compatable with machitosh".

I'm thinking that if it has a USB port, the new Macs will read it. I have a Sony, a Canon, and they all read it just fine.

Anyway - just a thought. Good luck on figuring it out. Try beating your head against the monitor, sometimes that helps me! LOL

Good luck bud!

sparkyaber....PierBridge gave you the right advice.Install the usb drivers and software that came with your camcorder.The software should download the raw video to your pc.Did your dvd burner come with software?I have sony dvd burners and they come with nero software.I really like the nero software more then windows movie maker.Also dont rush off to buy a new dvd player because your old one should play your burned dvd`s.Make sure you burn your dvd`s in the right format for your dvd player +r or -r. Sometimes certain brands of discs wont play in your dvd player even if burned in the right format.Try burning a different brand of disc.Hope this helps...Good Luck