How can I transfer video from my Sony Handycam to a Dell Inspiron 1720 with an S video cord?

Question

I have a Sony Handycam and a Dell Inspiron 1720. I need to transfer video from the Handycam to the Dell. The only port the Handycam seems to have is an S video cord, but when I plug it into my laptop nothing happens. Is there any way to transfer video???

Answer 1

The s-video port on your computer is OUT only - not IN. This is used to connect the computer to projection devices.

Your camcorder also came with an "AV cable". You will need this for the audio (if you want the audio to go with that video). S-VIDEO does only VIDEO - it does not carry any audio.

Since you did not tell us which camcorder model, I'll assume it is an older analog camcorder. You need to get an "Analog/Digital Bridge" like those from Pinnacle:

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us...

Connect the S-video cable to the AD bridge; cannect the AV cable to the camcorder - and connect the red, white (if stereo) or black RCA jacks to the AD bridge - it is all color coded... DO NOT connect the yellow RCA jack - that is for video (and you are already connected with S-Video). Then connect the AD bridge to the computer's USB port.

If your camcorder is MiniDV or Digital8 tape based, and if you can get a firewire port added to that computer (does it have a PCMCIA slot available?) then it would be best to transfer video and audio using a firewire cable and the camcorder's DV port connected with a firewire cable to the computer's firewire port.

Answer 2

If I'm right, I do not believe you can transfer any sort of files using an S-Video cable. S-Video cables are for the sole purpose of viewing not sending and receiving. There must be a USB port on the camcorder somewhere. If it records directly onto DVDs you just need to slip the DVD into your media drive and drag and drop the files. If it records using cassettes you may have to buy a dedicated converter.

Answer 3

You can use a Pinnacle Dazzle device.  They sell them at Best Buy.