Is my camcorder able to connect to my new computer?

Question

I recently got a new computer (with Vista.. gah) and now I don't think my video camera will connect to it. On my old one, I used a "fire wire" (?) but I don't think my model has a USB port.

Camcorder Model - DCR-HC28

Computer Model - eMachines T5088

I'm really confused and I REALLY do not want to have to buy a new video camera (I need it to be able to connect to my computer!)

If anyone could help me out, I would appreciate it so much. I'm really bad with electronics and I don't to be sunk of several hundred dollars by having a video camera I can't even connect to my computer.

Answer 1

Consult your manual!! There is a whole section devoted to your answer!! If you don't have one, you should be able to download one from Sony support site. While you are there see about Vista compatibility. Live help is available & they will walk you through it step by step. See the link below for your camcorder model>>>>>>>>

Answer 2

Your laptop needs a firewire connection, so make sure you have an extra bay in your laptop before you go to buy one. I'd try that before I get a new camcorder.

Answer 3

more important than telling us the brand and model of your camcorder would be to tell us the media type (dvd, hard drive, min-dv, digital-8).

Most of the questions on this section are the same as this. Too bad there isn't a link for what some forums call 'stickies' which are common answers to questions.

That said, you need to connect to your pc with the firewire cable that came with your camcorder (I looked up your model). And you need capture software. Windows Moviemaker is one and comes with Windows XP (if that's what you have). Other affordable capture software is Nero 6 ($20 on ebay).

If you don't have a firewire card, they are very cheap. Don't use USB, it does not work as well as firewire (no matter what some people think).