How to transfer video or still images from a DVD camcorder

Select the appropriate method to transfer video or still images from a DVD camcorder:

Transfer using Picture Motion Browser

To learn how to transfer your videos to your computer using Picture Motion Browser software bundled with your camcorder, please click the below image and then click the link corresponding to your camcorder type and software version.

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How to transfer video or still images from a DVD camcorder using the DVD-ROM drive of a computer.

IMPORTANT

The DVD must be finalized in the camcorder prior to beginning this procedure.
Do not use an 8cm CD adapter with the 8cm DVD. Doing so may cause a malfunction. If the DVD-ROM drive does not support an 8cm disc, use the USB transfer procedure instead.

  1. Insert the camcorder DVD into a computer DVD-ROM drive that supports 8cm discs.
  2. On the computer desktop, click the Start button and then click My Computer.

    NOTES: If available, you can double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop instead.
  3. In the My Computer window, right-click the DVD Drive icon, then click Open.
  4. Right-click the appropriate folder and then click Copy.

    - For still images, right-click the DCIM folder.
    - For movie files, right-click the VIDEO_TS folder.
  5. Right-click on the desktop and then click Paste.

    NOTES: The folder and all the contents in the folder will be copied to the desktop of the computer.
  6. On the computer desktop, right-click the newly copied folder and then click Rename.
  7. Type a new name for the folder.
  8. Press the ENTER key on the keyboard.

    NOTES: This solution only applies to DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-R recorded with a DVD Handycam® camcorder. Copying still images and movie files from copyright-protected DVDs is not supported.

How to transfer video or still images from a DVD camcorder using an USB cable via Picture Package™ software

IMPORTANT
The computer must have a standard, factory-installed USB port and should be using the software that was bundled with the camcorder to complete this procedure.

  1. Turn on the computer.
  2. Using the software disc provided with the camcorder, install the USB driver on the computer.
  3. After the USB drive has been installed, connect the USB cable to the DVD camcorder.
  4. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the computer.
  5. Turn on the DVD camcorder to the playback mode.

Picture Package™ software

  1. Start the Picture Package™ DVD Viewer software.
  2. On the left-hand side of the Picture Package DVD Viewer window, click the DVD tab.
  3. On the DVD tab, click DVD Handycam.
  4. Under DVD Handycam click to select Movies or Still Images.
  5. In the right-hand window, click to select the desired movies or still images.

    NOTES: To select all the movies or still images, click the Select all in this page button at the top of the window.
  6. In the lower-right corner, click the Copy to hard disc button.
  7. After copying is complete, click the OK button in the Picture Package DVD Viewer dialog box that appears.
  8. Close the Picture Package DVD Viewer software when finished.

Direct Transfer

You can also copy the video or still images to the computer using the steps below:

  1. Open the LCD screen of the camcorder.
  2. On the LCD screen, touch the COMPUTER icon.
  3. Open the My Computer window on the computer.

    NOTES: The camcorder will be listed in the My Computer window as an additional DVD-RW drive.
  1. In the My Computer window, open the DVD-RW icon that represents the camcorder.
  2. Click to select the VIDEO_TS folder (or BDMV folder for high-definition video recorded with an AVCHD DVD camcorder).
  3. Press the CTRL+C keys on the keyboard to copy the folder and all its contents.
  4. Click on the computer desktop or folder where you want to copy the video contents.
  5. Press the CTRL+V keys on the keyboard to paste the folder and its contents into the desired location.

    NOTES:
    The video content in the VIDEO_TS file can be played back by dragging the folder into a DVD Player application.
    To edit the video content in the VIDEO_TS file you must use software that is compatible with the .VOB format.
    High-definition video in the BDMV folder can only be played back using the Player for AVCHD software provided with the camcorder.

How to transfer video or still images from a DVD camcorder using an USB cable via PIXELA ImageMixer™ software

IMPORTANT
The computer must have a standard, factory-installed USB port and should be using the software that was bundled with the camcorder to complete this procedure.

  1. Turn on the computer.
  2. Using the software disc provided with the camcorder, install the USB driver on the computer.
  3. After the USB drive has been installed, connect the USB cable to the DVD camcorder.
  4. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the computer.
  5. Turn on the DVD camcorder to the playback mode.

PIXELA ImageMixer™ software

  1. On the ImageMixer screen, click the Capture Environment icon.
  2. In the ImageMixer dialog box, click the OK button.
  3. Click the Tools icon.
  4. In the Capturing/Recording Preferences window, in the Destination of Captured/Recorded Files section, click the Browse button.
  5. In the Browse for Folder window, click to select the folder where you want to copy the video or picture files (For example, the My Documents folder).
  6. Click the OK button.
  7. In the Capturing/Recording Preferences window, click the OK button.
  8. In the upper-left corner of the ImageMixer screen, click either the Camcorder or Camera icon.



    NOTES: Click the Camcorder icon to display a list of the video files on the camcorder disc. Click the Camera icon to display a list of still picture files on the camcorder disc.

  9. Use the computer mouse to select the video or picture files you want to transfer.

    NOTES: Pressing the Shift or Ctrl key on you keyboard while using the mouse will allow you to select multiple files.

  10. Click the Capture button.



    NOTES: A progress bar labeled Now copying data to PC will display on the screen. When copying is complete, the progress bar will disappear.

  11. Close the PIXELA ImageMixer™ software when finished.

How to transfer video or still images from a DVD camcorder using an USB cable via Nero® Express 6 software

IMPORTANT
The computer must have a standard, factory-installed USB port and should be using the software that was bundled with the camcorder to complete this procedure.

  1. Turn on the computer.
  2. Using the software disc provided with the camcorder, install the USB driver on the computer.
  3. After the USB drive has been installed, connect the USB cable to the DVD camcorder.
  4. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the computer.
  5. Turn on the DVD camcorder to the playback mode.

Nero® Express 6 software

  1. In the Nero Express window, click Copy Entire Disc.
  2. Select the Sony DVD camcorder as the Source drive.
  3. Next to Source drive, click the down arrow button.
  4. In the drop-down list of available drives, click the drive that represents the Sony DVD camcorder.
  5. Select the destination drive.
  6. Next to Destination drive, click the down arrow button.
  7. In the drop-down list of available drives, click the drive where you want to save the DVD video or still images.
  8. Click the Copy button.
  9. In the Save Image File window, type a file name for the video and then click the Save button.
  10. If an Import Images window appears, click the Import button to transfer any still pictures from the DVD.
  11. When all video and pictures have been transferred, click the OK button in the Nero Express dialog box that appears.
  12. Click the Next button.
  13. Click the Exit button to close the Nero Express 6 software.


How to transfer video or still images from a DVD camcorder Audio/Video (A/V) cables

IMPORTANT
The computer must have standard Audio/Video (A/V) RCA input jacks and compatible video capture software to complete this procedure.
Because there are many different video capture applications on the market and we cannot reasonably know which video capture software you are using, Sony is unable to provide specific instructions or support for software we do not manufacture.
However, many video capture applications have detailed help files, including specific instructions about capturing and importing video from a camcorder to a computer.
The help files should be available in the Help menu of the video capture software or in a separate file on the software disc. If you cannot find instructions in the help file or on the disc included with your software, consult the software manufacturer for more detailed support information.

  1. Connect an A/V cable to the A/V output jack of the camcorder.

    NOTES:
    If your camcorder has standard A/V RCA output jacks, use standard A/V cables for the connection.
    http://www.sonydigital-link.com/dime/tutorials/img/videotransfer/av_standard.jpg


    If your camcorder has a mini A/V output jack, use an A/V cable with a mini connection on one end.
    http://www.sonydigital-link.com/dime/tutorials/img/videotransfer/av_mini.jpg
  2. Connect the other end of the A/V cable to the A/V input jack on the computer.
  3. Turn on the camcorder to the VCR, VTR or PLAYBACK mode.
  4. Cue the video in the camcorder to the beginning of the video footage to be transferred.
  5. Turn on the computer.
  6. Start the video capture software.
  7. Begin playing the video in the camcorder.
  8. Begin importing the video with the video capture software.

Last Updated 21 June 2010