[Stretch1662]

I have just downloaded my holiday videos from my new Sony DCR-SR300 HDD Cam. using the Sony bundled HDD Handycam utility and Picture Motion Browser software onto my PC running XP. They import fine but when I attempt to review or edit them on the PC (by clicking on the thumbnails) I just get the small rectangular symbol with a "z" type slash across it. My manual tells me this means there is a problem and the video cannot be played back. Anybody know what the cause and fix for this might be?

[ani4ani]

Originally Posted by Stretch1662

I have just downloaded my holiday videos from my new Sony DCR-SR300 HDD Cam. using the Sony bundled HDD Handycam utility and Picture Motion Browser software onto my PC running XP. They import fine but when I attempt to review or edit them on the PC (by clicking on the thumbnails) I just get the small rectangular symbol with a "z" type slash across it. My manual tells me this means there is a problem and the video cannot be played back. Anybody know what the cause and fix for this might be?

You most likely do not have the correct video codec loaded on your PC. To edit the files, it is best to use some sort of editing software, which will likely have the said codec as standard - this months copy of Computer Shopper has a full copy of Power Director 5, which is free and perfect for viewing and editing the files.

[senu]

While this answer seems the most logical.. I ask do you play DVDS on the PC?
Any mpeg2 codec should enable playback of the Sonys video files ( which are mpeg2)
As suggested install a video editing software ( even trial version of say Sony Vegas or Vegas Movie studio. In many cases later uninstalling them doesn't them remove the codec
Gom Player
or
VLC
Both free play almost everything and seem fo install codecs on the PC as well

[Stretch1662]

Originally Posted by senu

While this answer seems the most logical.. I ask do you play DVDS on the PC?
Any mpeg2 codec should enable playback of the Sonys video files ( which are mpeg2)
As suggested install a video editing software ( even trial version of say Sony Vegas or Vegas Movie studio. In many cases later uninstalling them doesn't them remove the codec
Gom Player
or
VLC
Both free play almost everything and seem fo install codecs on the PC as well

Thanks for those suggestions.. I have not played DVDs on the PC. previously and did suspect a codec issue or even a PC. capability issue. I tried and saw the same issue on another PC.
I then loaded a copy of ImageMixer 1.5 and all associated drivers to both PCs. Now on one PC. I still have the same issue (wont play at all). On the other PC. I have picture playback with no audio. BTW. The Camera records in 5.1 , not sure if this is could be causing a problem for audio playback. Strange ! I can also get video playback with no audio on WMP.

[Stretch1662]

I've just tried both the GOM Player and VLC s/w. The GOM player displayed the video but with no audio - it did display a "cannot use overlay mixer" message at the start. The VLC was the same as the Sony bundled software and was blank on playback. Any ideas?

[rhubarbe]

I find that Nero comes with most of the codecs I have ever needed. Sometimes, if you look on Scan's Today Only page you can find not quite up to the minute copies of this and other software for peanuts.