sony dcr-hc21 video camera problem

[Tony Cooper]

I recently purchased a Sony DCR-HC21 HandyCam. I can't, for the life
of me, figure out how to download (upload?) video from the camera to
my PC. I added a Firewire Port and connect from that to the DV
interface.

The only software that came with the camera is the Picture Package
disk. When I follow the steps in Picture Package to upload to PC, I
get a screen that says to "connect the camera". Damn thing is
connected!

I've tried Control Panel>Scanners & Cameras>Add Device, but it doesn't
automatically sense the camera and there seems to be no program on the
Picture Package disk to install the camera.

My Firewire port is a dual port with USB2. Using the USB2 side, I can
download from my Canon Digital Still Camera, so I know the port is
active.

Second question:

The Sony manual (@%@%$) says that I can download directly to DVD (I
have a burner), but I must first use the "Click to DVD" function. The
instructions are:

1. turn on the computer
2. start>all programs
3. select [click to DVD] from the programs displayed, then click
[Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher]

After you start up [Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher] once, from
then on it starts up automatically.

There is no Click to DVD in any program I can find. There is no
drop-down for Sony, and the Picture Program doesn't have this.

I have a feeling that there's something simple I haven't done, but I
don't know what it is.



The "burn DVD" menu function is grayed out.

 

[Guest]

Hi Tony. I don't know if i can help much or not, but here is what I do. I
have a Sony HC40 MiniDV and would be similar to the cam that you have. I
looked at the specs and you do have a IEEE1394 (firewire/Ilink) port/opening
on your camera. I don't use the Sony software since it is more or less
pretty useless to what you want to accomplish. I have Click to DVD, and it
is a separate software, so if its not in your program listing then you don't
have it.

First, use of the USB port is too slow to handle the video efficiently from
your camera. You do need to use the firewire. I connect the fireware into
my camera on one end, and insert the other end into the computer port. You
state you added a firewire port, so that is what you would use. Your camera
and computer should both be turned on (I always also have Movie Maker 2.1
running and ready to capture).
If your camera is like mine you have several modes, such as 'tape' 'memory'
'playback' or similar.....you should be on the 'playback/play' mode.
When you have the cable linked to both computer and camera, you should hear
the computer sense the 'new hardware' with a dull sound. Now is when you
would go into your Movie Maker program and in the upper left you should see
'capture from video device', if you task view is not open you can just go up
and click 'file' then 'capture video'. When you click on Capture from video
device you should get the wizard to follow by type, name, etc. Save your
file as DV-AVI and also after you edit in Movie Maker if you later want to
'save movie' and then use a third party authoring software to burn a dvd.
When you get to the actual capture your camera should rewind the tape (if not
already) and you can select any portions you want to bring into your computer
and Movie Maker. Since I don't think you have Click to DVD to author/burn a
dvd, I would suggest Ulead's Movie Factory which is one of the best. You can
find it at www.ulead.com and the standard one costs $49.95 I think, and you
can try out the trial first. You'll need blank dvd's, buy some low priced
ones to get you started, but later buy the better ones since you get what you
pay for in this area.

Let us know if you get your video captured into your computer. Remember USB
is too slow and inefficient, and firewire is high speed and the way to do it.
I don't remember the 'capture' wizard in Movie Maker, so while you are
using it, check out all the functions. Good luck.

I recently purchased a Sony DCR-HC21 HandyCam. I can't, for the life
of me, figure out how to download (upload?) video from the camera to
my PC. I added a Firewire Port and connect from that to the DV
interface.

The only software that came with the camera is the Picture Package
disk. When I follow the steps in Picture Package to upload to PC, I
get a screen that says to "connect the camera". Damn thing is
connected!

I've tried Control Panel>Scanners & Cameras>Add Device, but it doesn't
automatically sense the camera and there seems to be no program on the
Picture Package disk to install the camera.

My Firewire port is a dual port with USB2. Using the USB2 side, I can
download from my Canon Digital Still Camera, so I know the port is
active.

Second question:

The Sony manual (@%@%$) says that I can download directly to DVD (I
have a burner), but I must first use the "Click to DVD" function. The
instructions are:

1. turn on the computer
2. start>all programs
3. select [click to DVD] from the programs displayed, then click
[Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher]

After you start up [Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher] once, from
then on it starts up automatically.

There is no Click to DVD in any program I can find. There is no
drop-down for Sony, and the Picture Program doesn't have this.

I have a feeling that there's something simple I haven't done, but I
don't know what it is.



The "burn DVD" menu function is grayed out.

 

[Tony Cooper]

Hi Tony. I don't know if i can help much or not, but here is what I do. I
have a Sony HC40 MiniDV and would be similar to the cam that you have. I
looked at the specs and you do have a IEEE1394 (firewire/Ilink) port/opening
on your camera.

I do, and that's what I'm connecting to.

I don't use the Sony software since it is more or less
pretty useless to what you want to accomplish. I have Click to DVD, and it
is a separate software, so if its not in your program listing then you don't
have it.

Can I get it? A websearch says it comes with Sony equipment, but
there's no place to download or purchase.

Do you happen to know how you happened to have it? Unless you have a
Sony computer, it seems that it must have come with something or have
been downloaded.

First, use of the USB port is too slow to handle the video efficiently from
your camera. You do need to use the firewire. I connect the fireware into
my camera on one end, and insert the other end into the computer port. You
state you added a firewire port, so that is what you would use.

I am.

Your camera
and computer should both be turned on (I always also have Movie Maker 2.1
running and ready to capture).
If your camera is like mine you have several modes, such as 'tape' 'memory'
'playback' or similar.....you should be on the 'playback/play' mode.
When you have the cable linked to both computer and camera, you should hear
the computer sense the 'new hardware' with a dull sound. Now is when you
would go into your Movie Maker program and in the upper left you should see
'capture from video device', if you task view is not open you can just go up
and click 'file' then 'capture video'. When you click on Capture from video
device you should get the wizard to follow by type, name, etc. Save your
file as DV-AVI and also after you edit in Movie Maker if you later want to
'save movie'

Haven't tried it with Movie Maker, but Picture Package doesn't
acknowledge that I have a camera connected. I'll try it with Movie
Maker.

and then use a third party authoring software to burn a dvd.

Understood. I use Nero 6.

When you get to the actual capture your camera should rewind the tape (if not
already) and you can select any portions you want to bring into your computer
and Movie Maker. Since I don't think you have Click to DVD to author/burn a
dvd, I would suggest Ulead's Movie Factory which is one of the best. You can
find it at www.ulead.com and the standard one costs $49.95 I think, and you
can try out the trial first. You'll need blank dvd's, buy some low priced
ones to get you started, but later buy the better ones since you get what you
pay for in this area.

I'm holding off on purchasing an editing program until I can get
something in the computer to edit. My firewire port came with
VideoStudio 7 from Ulead as a bundled program, and I'll give that a
whirl. Pinnacle is widely used around here, and I may go with that
since I can ask questions to others that have more experience when I
get started. I use Photoshop 7 for my digital still camera, so I'm
used to Adobe products and they have an editing program.

I have Ulead's PhotoExplorer 7 that came as a free bundled program,
but never upgraded it. It's a good viewer for digital stills.

Let us know if you get your video captured into your computer. Remember USB
is too slow and inefficient, and firewire is high speed and the way to do it.
I don't remember the 'capture' wizard in Movie Maker, so while you are
using it, check out all the functions. Good luck.

The current problem seems to be that the computer doesn't recognize
the camera, and I don't see how to get it do so. My Control
Panel>Scanners and Camera>Add Device doesn't list any Sony cameras.
Without a disk, darned if I know how to add the camera.

 

[Guest]

Hey again....sounds like you are getting there cept you didnt try to
'capture' yet. As far as the Click to DVD, I did get it with my Sony Vaio.
But I have long ceased to use it because of instability and it only accepts
mpeg format. I will use it only if I record a tv program with 'giga pocket'
which also came with the computer. I run cable thru my computer too.
Actually since you have Ulead Studio 7 you have the whole smorgasbord of what
you need right there. You can capture with it, edit with it, author a dvd
and burn a dvd with it too according to what I looked up.

This is a Movie Maker group so we are all sort of partial to Movie Maker as
the leading editing software with a short learning curve. It is easy to
learn and use and becomes second nature after a time. With that comes SPEED
if you ever want to get a project done quickly too. I have Adobe Premiere,
Sony Vegas, and Camtasia, but they are not my main movie making software.
I keep them for individual uses that Movie Maker cannot provide. For
example, I use Sony Vegas cuz it can import a 'flash' or 'swf' file and I can
render that into the various movie formats and edit it right into my Movie
Maker movies. Stuff like that. To state again, you don't need any
additional software right now if you have Ulead Studio 7. You can edit and
produce movies in Studio 7 also, and I see that it has a lot of effects and
transitions that you can use too. After you get your video in your computer
I'd suggest you learn both 'editing' tools (Studio 7 and Movie Maker) and
make your choice from there.

Your 'firewire' connection should work if all is connected well and it it is
active. You will know right away when you click on 'Capture from video
device'. Of course, if it doesn't work there is something wrong....then I
would suggest you click on the 'help' in Movie Maker and then the 'index'.
Then find 'capture devices' and then 'connecting' to get more information on
troubleshooting. ha ha I just thought of something...when I first tried
capturing my video I didnt have the camera on...so make sure you have it on
and on the 'play' mode. If it doesn't work we'll have to yell for more help
in here. Also, if you wish to learn more about Movie Maker take some time
to read the questions and answers in here...and check out PapaJohn's
website...that would be a good place to read on what might be your problem if
you can't get the video into your computer.....good luck.