Transfer video from DCR-HC40E to PC

[jejeffrey]

A really basic question, I'm afraid - please don't laugh!  I have just unearthed a DCR-HC40E from the back of a cupboard which still seems to be in perfect working order.  I can watch tapes I recorded while aboard Gipsy Moth IV years ago on the built-in screen, but cannot for the life of me work out how to transfer their contents to my Win 10 PC. 

When I connect via USB, the PC recognises the camera and I can see 2 files listed.  One is a JPG which I remember taking about 14 years ago, the other is a MPG file only about 30KB in size and which I can play using VLC though it is less than a second long!  Obviously, the PC is 'seeing' only the camcorder's memory. 

This all seems to suggest that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the camcorder or the cable.  My real problem is in trying to understand how to get the hours of video I have recorded on cassettes onto my PC.  The guidance in the manuals is confusing me completely - for example, in one place I read 'Set USB Stream in the menu settings' but I can't find any such setting on my camcorder menus.

No doubt I'm missing something simple and/or basic.  I'd be so glad if someone could point me in the right direction.

[IamNic]

Hello @jejeffrey,

I would use a video capture card and grab the AV-output of the camera. I personally prefer the one from Magix called "Rescue your videotapes" (no worries, works with your camcorder as well), yet it seems to be sold out.

Anything on your tapes of course can't be accessed as a "file" but has to be transferred while "playing" it.

- Nic

[NickPlymouth]

I'm wondering the same thing.

I have a DCR-TRV355E. I found the USB stream option and turned it on, but only got sound so far...

[Pentium_Gladio]

Have you tried using the Sony Playmemories home application on your windows 10 PC? You can download it here: https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/disoft/int/playmemories-home/

Pentium_Gladio

[darkframe]

Hi @jejeffrey,

regarding your DCR-HC40E I'm rather sure that you cannot transfer videos via USB so that I agree to Nic's proposal.

However, the application and hardware which Nic is suggesting would be the wrong one as far as I know (only scart connector). You'd need the "de luxe" version in order to get relevant connectors like S Video. However, it seems to be available in the German store only (see here if you like). Anyhow, there are other companies around offering video grabbers like that as well. I just can't help you with a recommendation.

Cheers

darkframe

[darkframe]

Hi @NickPlymouth,

most likely you'd need the adequate USB driver for your camera. Unfortunately you cannot download it anymore from any of Sony's websites so you'd need the original CD ROM which came with the camera. Additionally, depending on your operating system it may well be that the driver would not work anyway.

In case you are running an older Windows system (Win XP, 7 or 😎 the best way would be to establish a Firewire (= i.Link) connection provided you've got a Firewire connector in your PC. For Windows 10 there are no Firewire drivers available anymore, however, some people got it working using a Microsoft Firewire driver made for Win 8.1.

Cheers

darkframe