What do I have to do to put the videos from my Sony Digital Handycam 8 Camcorder on my computer?

I plug the USB in, but nothing happens. Do I need some kind of software for it? If so, what, and can I download it online for free somewhere? Or do I just have to press a button or something first?

Answer by Nu’uanu
If it is a Digital8 camcorder, you need a firewire cable to connect the DV port on the camcorder to the firewire port on your computer. USB will not work. If your computer does not have a firewire port, add one.

If it is a Video8 camcorder, that is analog and will not transfer over USB – USB is used only for transferring stills off the memory card. You will need to get an “analog/digital join”
http://pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Harvest/Consumer+Harvest/Dazzle/Family.htm for your Windows computer or

http://desktop.thomsongrassvalley.com/harvest/videoconversion.php

for Macintosh.

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I have a cord and when i plug it in it does nothing what should i do.i i cant do this then i need a link to a down-loadable camera.so i can film my videos…HELPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer by snowwillow20
Depends on what kind of camcorder you have.
If you have a mini dv (cassette) camcorder….
Your dv camcorder needs a firewire connection (ieee 1394) in order to download record, your PC probably did not come with a firewire port, so you will have to buy one and install it, since most computers (except maybe groundbreaking new) don’t come with a firewire port, your camcorder did not come with a firewire cord so you have to hold a cord too. Your camcorder did come with a USB cord and that is used for downloading stills from your camcorder. Make sure your camera is in playback mode.
The fine print in your manual makes reference to firewire (ieee 1394) connection.
NOTE: If your mainframe did not come with an empty bay, then you might be out of luck. Firewire to USB adaptors don’t work.
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If you have a mini dvd camcorder….You will have to finalize your dvd in the camera and then place the dvd in your computer’s DVD burner (top loading only) and then you will have to convert the files (I downloaded handbrake file converter free) and import them into your control program. Use the HELP feature in your control program to learn about control. Once you are ready to burn, your project will be burned to a different DVD and you can file the first away.

If it’s a hard drive or flash drive camcorder use the supplied USB cord or with the flash drive, a card reader can be used.

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