Can't get Windows to recognise my HC3

[Accylad]

Sorry if this has been asked many times. I have read many posts but can't find the answer.

I have a Sony Vaio laptop with Windows XP Home and DVgate Plus installed together with a Sony HDR-HC3.

I have connected the two together with a Sony iLink cable but can't even get "my computer" to show another connection or get DVgate to find it In other words after spending all afternoon I am no further than when I started HELP

[redsox_mark]

Accylad,

I don't use DVgate, but I do have a HDV camcorder (HC1).

As you know with the HC3 you can capture DV or HDV. With the software I use (Sony Vegas) there is a different capture program for each, as it works differently. A quick look says DVgate plus does support DV and HDV, but there may be a setting you need to specify to tell it which you are using.

Note the camcorder shows up different in Windows if it is in DV mode than HDV. And in neither case does it show up as a file system in "My computer".

I'll assume you are working in HDV mode... (I.e. you shot HDV, and you don't have the HDV to DV conversion on).

With XP SP2, the driver should be there already. When you connect the camcorder, did you turn it on in "VTR" mode (i.e. play mode, not record mode)?
In your Device Manager, it shows up under "sound, video and game controllers" as "AV/C Tape device". Can you see it there? (See attached screenshot).

If not, you can install it manually by:

Bring up Device Manager, right click on the Microsoft AV/C Tape Subunit, choose Update Driver. Say no to Windows using windows update to find it. Next screen select "install from a specific location". Next screen select "don't search". Next screen, if AV/C Tape device is there, select it, otherwise untick "show compatible hardware". Scroll down the manufacturer list to Sony, then on the right you should see the Sony D-VHS option. Choose that and then try it again.

There is a nice free utility you can also use to capture HDV. I suggest you try this and see if it recognises the camcorder.
http://strony.aster.pl/paviko/
Note it doesn't say it supports the HC3, but it does.

[Accylad]

Thanks Mark - your help so far has been great

Guess what - after spending another 3 hours trying it turned out to be a faulty cable bought on eBay

Paid through the nose for a belkin cable at PC World this PM worked first time

Lesson is DON'T BUY FROM eBAY

[redsox_mark]

Glad you are sorted.. didn't think to suggest checking the cable! Well done for figuring that out.

[RecordablDVDfan]

Originally Posted by Accylad

Thanks Mark - your help so far has been great

Guess what - after spending another 3 hours trying it turned out to be a faulty cable bought on eBay

Paid through the nose for a belkin cable at PC World this PM worked first time

Lesson is DON'T BUY FROM eBAY

Never had a problem with ebay. Brought all my leads this way. Brilliant camcorder the HC3 the widescreen pics are equally excellent

[redsox_mark]

Well, I think the lesson is be careful about the quality of your cables. Now I know with data cables like Firewire there is no point of expensive, gold plated super cables etc... as long as it works it works. But I've seen more and more issues with poorly made cables not working or "breaking".

[Accylad]

I must admit I have bought several items from ebay without problem

I have also bought a mobile phone which turned out not to exist and a laptop computer that had been stolen

So I guess the answer as Mark has already posted - take care!!!!!!

David

[Stuart Wright]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

With XP SP2, the driver should be there already. When you connect the camcorder, did you turn it on in "VTR" mode (i.e. play mode, not record mode)?
In your Device Manager, it shows up under "sound, video and game controllers" as "AV/C Tape device". Can you see it there? (See attached screenshot).

I have no "AV/C Tape device" in "sound, video and game controllers".
What should I do, please?

[senu]

I thought you had a Mac..
Try changing the firewire cable
And test the set up on another PC ( This time: service pack 1 as per your other thread) before you assume it is a local fault
Also as Mark has suggested. Change the output from HDV to "DV out" in the menu, and see what happens

[redsox_mark]

He has both... from his other thread

I have 2 computers both with XP SP2 installed. Neither of them recognise my Sony HDR-HC3 when it is plugged in via Firewire.
I tried it into my Mac Mini and it worked perfectly first time. I managed to capture from camcorder and control it from Mac's iMovie software which came with the computer.
So there is nothing wrong with the camcorder or the lead

[senu]

Thanks
.. Now there is a mystery ...