Hi all,

I need to buy a USB cable for my Sony Handycam DCR-HC37 but don't especially want to spend £15+ on one. Any suggestions for a cheaper version and where to purchase?

Many thanks in advance.

[rhubarbe]

eBay. They cost about £1.99 and usually £1.50 for postage.

Where on earth do you find them at £15?

sonystyle.co.uk, various other sites if you google the model number + usb cable....

[Andy98765]

I have the DCR-HC39 and found the quality of output from USB to be very poor, actually a waste of time. The best connection to a PC is via the DV output (Firewire) and you end up with full control of the camera.

Andy,

So how do I achieve that, a different cable? I basically just want to copy the video off the device onto the PC, no editing or anything.

Cheers.

[Andy98765]

For the Firewire (IEEE 1394, i-Link, DV out) connection if not available on your PC you will require http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/60608 for the cable http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/57694 the manual http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/2319524111.pdf
Do remember the output from a camcorder eats up hard disc space, using windows movie maker you can compress. Nero is another excellent product for DVD burning and movie editing.
Personally I use Adobe Elements and get excellent results.

Andy,

Many thanks, I will try this out after inspecting my PC for firewire port(s).

One more thing, I would like to connect my camcorder to my projector via (presumably) S-Video. Any ideas which cable I need for this?

Thanks again.

[redsox_mark]

You'll need one of these
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...%26+Connectors

[Andy98765]

I assume you got this camcorder second hand as a new one comes supplied with cables for connection to TV's etc.
Not cheap http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...%26+Connectors

[redsox_mark]

The camcorder (HC37) comes with an AV cable, but not one with S-video. That has to be bought separately.

Available on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/AV-Cable-For-Son...QQcmdZViewItem

[Pantalone]

This is kind of related, I recently purchased the DCR-HC47 as it offered the ability to connect to my PC. After a few goes using the USB cable supplied, I called Sony today to ask why I could not import the tape onto the PC. To be told I would need an iLink cable (not supplied) as the USB will only allow import of still photo's. Useful as I have a perfectly decent digital camera for that!

So question is do I buy the Sony cable for about £25, or is there a better one available? This is new territory for me, I'm assuming that the iLink cable will plug directly into my Dell PC? or is there something else I need...Advice greatly appreciated.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Pantalone

So question is do I buy the Sony cable for about £25, or is there a better one available? This is new territory for me, I'm assuming that the iLink cable will plug directly into my Dell PC? or is there something else I need...Advice greatly appreciated.

Unless faulty , a firewire cable is a firewire cable (Sony calls them I-link) and in truth you can use any as long as you get a 4-pin (camcorder end ) to 6 pin or 4 pin ( to the PC: laptops tend to have 4 pin as well )

The fit is usually standard. the only caveat to that is that some camcorders have a ressesed jack and a firewire cable with thicker plastic moulding may not fit in well so try before you buy (if you can) But don't feel compelled to buy Sony's own brand i-link cable . It is ( like most Sony stuff) needlessly overpriced

[senu]

Originally Posted by PJnewbie

sonystyle.co.uk, various other sites if you google the model number + usb cable....

That is the place to not buy anything.. unless it has a proprietary Sony fit .. and you have no choice
The same applies to the High St Sony centres where they seem to think they posses a superior knowledge and stock of all things Sony
If a cable or accessory is standard fit.. walk past them..quickly!!