topic Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports in Camcorders

import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

adnana1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 15:40:09 GMT

I have an old digital video camera recorder (Model: DCR-HC54E) and a few miniDV cassettes that I recorded with the camera. I want to transfer these recordings from the cassette to my windows 10 laptop in a suitable video format. I do not have iLink/firewire port in my laptop or an express card reader. I have USB-A and USB-C ports. Can someone brief me with the steps and the tools I need? Or any source that explains the same? Thanks.

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

Pascale_F — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:50:20 GMT

Hi adnana1,

Welcome to the community.

I'm just going to try to find some answers for you. In the meantime, maybe someone else in the community might have some ideas.

Thanks,

Pascale

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

adnana1 — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 02:42:46 GMT

That's really nice, thank you for your time

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

The_Black_Rose — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 17:20:08 GMT

Hi adnana1,

I don't think it will be possible to do this without an iLink cable. Due the seniority of this model, it's a very low chance that it will be recognized by a Windows 10 PC.

I even searched the Sony website and found this article: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00172974

Cheers,

Rose

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

adnana1 — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 20:35:32 GMT

Thanks for the suggestion, I was also thinking it might not be possible without an iLink port. I can also have access to a Macbook with a thunderbolt port. I have seen some people use, but not sure as I am not a Mac user. Do you have any suggestion with this?

Thanks again.

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

Blencogo — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 08:24:10 GMT

The only solution I can think of is to buy an inexpensive USB Video Capture Device.

You will need the AV cable supplied with the camera (or buy a third party replacement) and connect the Yellow/Red/White connectors to the USB capture device as you would to a TV. See page 26 of your manual:

Make sure the USB capture device is Win 10 compatible.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0776QZKPP

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

The_Black_Rose — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 08:47:44 GMT

Hi adnana1,

I found another article for transferring to Windows:

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/cameras-camcorders/articles/00028223

And this one is for Mac: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/cameras-camcorders/articles/00173003

Cheers,

Rose

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

adnana1 — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:59:56 GMT

I do not have the AV cable that was with the camera. I tried searching for it but got many different results and don't know which one is for me. Do you know what is this exact cable called?

And also this model has something called 'USB streaming' option in the camera (P. 41 of the manual), Do you know if this could work with capturing the tapes into windows?

Thank you.

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

adnana1 — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 16:21:37 GMT

Thanks for the article, It is very straight forward. I just need the A/V connecting cable for my camcorder and I don't have the one supplied. My camcorder has an A/V out port like the image attached, Do you know what is it called?

Thanks again.

Re: import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

Blencogo — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 16:37:56 GMT

Here you go:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AAA-Products-High-Grade-Connecting/dp/B004UARKJU

Sadly USB streaming does not work. The last usable drivers were for Windows XP. Nothing is possible evidently for any Windows version after XP.