Sony handy cam dcr-hc21-used with NO software-HELP!?

Question

Hi- I just bought used camera- model mentioned above. I have no software and have been searching for hours for the software to enable me to transfer the data to my PC.

I've been to the sony links for the product and all that is there is UPDATES for ' picture perfect' and not the original software. Ive donwloaded whatever I can find but ultimately- I think I need the original software called picture perfect..

ANY INSIGHT AT ALL- with this camera would be so appreciated. I'm a first time video camera user- but can be kinda smart with tech stuff.

I just want to put my video on the comp wihtout paying anything :( ...

Can I edit with windows movie maker?

My PC is windows xp.

Answer 1

Fire-wire is similar to usb but it allows the data to transfer real time to your pc so that the quality is much better than if you tried to transfer on usb.  Check a website like tiger direct for about 20 bucks you can get a fire-wire card that you put on the motherboard of your computer and a cable included that connects to your camcorder/card!   If you try to go to best buy or circuit city it will cost you twice as much for just the card.   You may also need to consider how much hard drive space you have.  Video eats up space quickly.   I included a link below to the one I bought and it works great.  Good luck!

**You can technically use usb but you cant get the full quality of the video camera.  It basically is useless with usb.  You need the firewire to make the camera useable with your computer.  It flickers and looks like a movie taken on a bad cell phone if you use the usb.  Spend the 20 bucks and make the camera useful.

Answer 2

The good news is that you don't need any software.  The maybe not so good news is that you need a firewire connection to capture the video.  Don't worry if you haven't got one - they're cheap, readily available and easy to install.  You may not be able to do it without paying anything though!  

You don't need, or probably even want, Picture Perfect - you can use WMM until you decide to go for a better editor.