Sony DCR-TRV20 vs. IBM Thinkpad w/Windows XP

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Cyberleka
Sony DCR-TRV20 vs. IBM Thinkpad w/Windows XP

No joy trying to capture video from the miniDV. Thinkpad has IEEE 1394 port. But no comm between it & camcorder. Of course, one's 2K technology vs 2005. Camcorder manual refers to Windows 98 & NT, so XP may not recognize it. Any advice what I can do next? I really would like to be able to capture the video from the cassette. Thanks in advance.

Larry Dillon
The cable that came with the

The cable that came with the camcorder is a serial type connector.  If you have an IEEE1394 port on the computer, then you only need whats known as an I- link cord and use the software that came with the computer of course to reconize the camcorder.  I heard this directly from Sony technical, as I still have a few connections there.  They explained to me that when Bill Gates was working on the Xp operating system, they they said why should they support serial ports or connection any more, as who uses these types of connections, so they do not support them with XP.  Also make sure the IEEE1394 port is active, as if it came with the computer it should be.  If its not, then go into the device manager and activate it.  Hope this helps.  good Luck, and let us know how it turns out for you.

Cyberleka
Larry Dillon said: The cable

Larry Dillon said: The cable that came with the camcorder is a serial type connector.  If you have an IEEE1394 port on the computer, then you only need whats known as an I- link cord and use the software that came with the computer of course to reconize the camcorder.  I heard this directly from Sony technical, as I still have a few connections there.  They explained to me that when Bill Gates was working on the Xp operating system, they they said why should they support serial ports or connection any more, as who uses these types of connections, so they do not support them with XP.  Also make sure the IEEE1394 port is active, as if it came with the computer it should be.  If its not, then go into the device manager and activate it.  Hope this helps.  good Luck, and let us know how it turns out for you.

That's good news; at least I'm on the right track. But I bought/connected a 4-pin to 4-pin Firewire cable (the serial connector it came with has disappeared). In theory, I half expected the Thinkpad to detect the camcorder. It does not. Checked Device Manager... it sez the OHCI Compliante IEEE 1394 Host Controller is enabled. Powered everything down. Rebooted. No joy. Tried to Add Hardware but that's another issue; it's useless because the system persistently thinks it's trying to install another device and always tells me to wait until it's done. It's a puzzle.

Hmmm. I just checked the Cable Configuration Table... it sez: 4-pin to 4-pin (audio mixer to audio mixer, digital cam to digital cam, digital cam to audio mixer). Maybe I don't have the right cable. Though it does state in small print: "...table represents the most popular compatible devices only... may be used with additional devices requiring same connector config..."

Any suggestions how to proceed? (Thanks for taking time to respond. Great source site, by the way.)

Larry Dillon
I'm not sure of the I-link

I'm not sure of the I-link cord config, but that is suppose to be the one you need with the IEEE1394 card or connector.  it sounds like your using a replacement serial cord?

Cyberleka
Did you mean, "...need a

Did you mean, "...need a replacement serial cord"? That's going to be tricky. I'm in Okinawa Japan, so my local marketplace options are limited. Know any good online sites that might carry said-cord?

Larry Dillon
You need an I-Link cord.  Any

You need an I-Link cord.  Any good electronics store should have one.  make sure it is called an I-link cord.

Cyberleka
Sorry. That's what I thought

Sorry. That's what I thought the 4-pin to 4-pin was. Novice, donchaknow. I'll ask around here... The military PXs have limited stocks, and trying to buy anything on the economy can be a real adventure. Let you know if I'm successful Thanks again.

Cyberleka
Success! I had to go to a

Success! I had to go to a local Japanese camera store, but found a Sony catelog... flipped thru it until I found the only words I recognized (everything else being in Kanji), "4 pin" "4 pin" 'iLink" with a pic of a cable. Took it to the sales counter and pointed to it. Fortunately, they had it in stock. Plugged it in to laptop & camcorder. Took a few tense goes at Device Manager and suddenly a msg popped up asking if I wanted to capture the video using Windows Movie Maker. Everything works great (for what it is). Thanks again for showing me the err of my ways. Greatly appreciated! 

Larry Dillon
No problem, and come again

No problem, and come again and visit us.

 

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