How to transfer video from a Digital8® camcorder

Select the appropriate connection method below to transfer video from a Digital8 camcorder:

USB Streaming - Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit editions

It is strongly advisable that you connect your camcorder to your computer using an IEEE-1394 connector and use Picture Motion Browser Ver.5.6.01 download as alternative software to “Picture Package to transfer video from a Digital8 camcorder. 

Note: "Picture Package" and "ImageMixer Ver.1.5" supplied with Cyber-shot or Handycam are not compatible with Windows ® Vista. The "Picture Package Uninstaller" is offered as the uninstallation tool for users who have accidentally installed these software into Windows® Vista.  

USB Streaming - Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Media Center and XP operating systems only.

  1. Turn on the computer.
  2. On the computer, install the USB driver for the digital camcorder.

    IMPORTANT

    Only the USB driver included on the supplied CD ROM will properly enable the digital camcorder for USB streaming. Alternatively, you can download the USB driver from this page.

  3. Turn on the digital camcorder to the VTR, VCR or PLAYBACK mode.
  4. Turn on the USB streaming feature of the digital camcorder.
  5. Connect the USB cable to the digital camcorder.
  6. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the computer.
  7. Cue the video to the beginning of the video footage to be transferred.
  8. Start the video capture software on the computer.
  9. Begin playing the recorded video in the camcorder.
  10. Begin importing the recorded video with the capture software.

i.LINK (IEEE-1394)

  1. Connect an i.LINK® cable (also known as IEEE-1394) to the i.LINK port http://www.sonydigital-link.com/dime/tutorials/img/videotransfer/iLink.jpg on the digital camcorder.
  2. Connect the other end of the i.LINK® cable to the computer.

    3. NOTES
    The computer i.LINK® ports and capture cards may have either 4-pin or 6-pin connections; Sony® digital camcorders use i.LINK® ports with 4 pins. If your computer only has a 6-pin i.LINK® port, then it will be necessary to use a 4-pin to 6-pin i.LINK® cable.

  3. Turn on the digital camcorder by moving the POWER switch to the VTR position.
  4. Cue the camcorder to the beginning of the video.
  5. Turn on the computer.
  6. Start the video capture software on the computer.
  7. Begin playing the recorded video in the camcorder.
  8. Begin importing the video with the capture software

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 31 May 2011