[GordonH]

Hi
I am new to this and although I have had the HDR HC3 for a few years, it is only now that I want to copy and edit my video tapes, but am having trouble capturing the HD video from my HDR HC3 to my PC.

I am using firewire and have proved that the firewire cable is good. My PC is Athlon 2400+ based running XP pro. I have been trying to use Cyberlink Power Ditrector Ultra 8, but it does not find the HDR HC3. I have tried various combinations of iLink conversion on-off DV and HD, but to no avail.

In reading some other threads I have tried HDV Split but it also cannot find the camcorder. I did read that the min spec for HDV Split is a 3.2G processor - is this the reason why HDV Split does not work ?

I went to my local Sony store and they advised using PMB - however, it also does not find / recognise the HDR HC3 - in fact after a bit more checking, it appears that PMB actually does not support the HDR HC3 ?!?!?!

I even chanced my arm at the local Mac retailer and using iMovie, they easily demonstrated viewing the video on the camera on one of their Macs. Hence, the firewire port on the camera is good (something else I have also read may be a porblem). Whilst helpful, they do not offer a service to transfer videos from tape to 'something else'.

I realise my PC is not the most powerful in the world, but it does meet the minimum spec for Cyberlink Power Director, but I can't find anyway to capture the HD videos I have. So, now I am in a bit of a quandry and would appreciate advice on what I should do / try next ?

[A n d r e w]

Sounds to me like you need to go back to that Apple store and buy one of their machines.

The Windows users (yes, yes, they outnumber me) may be able to provide you with less succinct but perhaps more relevant help.

[senu]

Could this be the setting in the camcorder?
"Auto" can give this :
...As such DV or HDV ( if supported) is best selected,even if the i-link conversion is on/off.

[GordonH]

I have checked and am definitely using iLink conversion off and HDV setting - but still both Cyberlink Power Director and HDV Split still do not recognise the HC3.
Can't really justify spending the money on a MAC ?!?!?!?!

[senu]

Try Sony Vegas .. (trial) and see, also consider the cable might be faulty
When you went to the apple store was it your cable they used? How have you proved your cable is good?

It is possible your PCs onboard firewire is faulty, or if on a card, need reseating ( is it OK in device manager?)
Also , for the sake of testing, select i-link on and see if you can capture as DV.

You dont need a mac, just get to this fixed: May be it is your PC , not the camcorder, software or cable

[mikehorne1967]

is your firewire port dead? sony have a poor reliability with their firewire ports.

[senu]

Originally Posted by mikehorne1967

is your firewire port dead? sony have a poor reliability with their firewire ports.

Ive also heard that but I have had 6 Sonys ( still have 4 now) to date whose firewire ports continue working fine (HC1, FX1 VX2100) and a D8 TRV620
Also he said he took the camcorder to the mac sote nd it worked so The Camcorders firewire port isnt likely to be the culprit

[GordonH]

Hi Gents
I have a separate laptop and although quite low spec ( Centrino 1.6G, 512MB RAM ) I thought 'I have nothing to lose' and tried HDV Split on that and it worked, so spent the weekend downloading and backing up my tapes.

Can't explain about my desktop - firewire works on other kit, but not with the HC3E ?!?!?!?!

Thanks for your support and guidance.