Compatible Operating System

[psychodale1964]

Hi. I've just upgraded my computer and now have Windows 7, previously I had XP. My new laptop doesn't recognise my Sony Camcorder Model Number DCR-TRV33E, quite an old device but works perfectly well. I'm using a the Firewire 1394 connection from the camcorder into USB connections on the laptop. I've done some research and it seems that my camcorder is not compatible with Windows 7, that can't be right. Does anyone have any solutions for me please.

[Blencogo · Accepted solution]

Hi psychodale1964 and welcome.

Unfortunately, there is no support for a USB connection except with XP. There are no drivers for Vista, Win 7 or Win 8.

Firewire is supported without drivers by Vista and Windows 7 but a firewire to USB cable does not work and never has.

I presume your laptop doesn't have a firewire socket? If not, does it have a PC Card or a ExpressCard slot? If it has a cardbus slot, you can buy a firewire card and a firewire to firewire cable which should work - here is an ExpressCard version: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Startech-com-ExpressCard-FireWire-Laptop-Adapter/dp/B003N3J354/ref=sr_1_3?ie...

If you don't have a cardbus slot then you cannot transfer video to a Windows 7 computer in digital form. Your only option is to transfer the signal in analogue form. You need to buy a USB analogue video capture device to convert to digital in a form importable by USB. The AV Connecting cable will have been supplied with the camera (3.5mm jack-plug to 3x Yellow/Red/White plugs)

There are several video capture devices from £5 to £150 - like this one: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camcorders-Recorder-Satellite-playstation3-software/dp/B003D8VQIG/ref=pd_sim...

I don't know what software you use to edit video, but the free version of Windows Movie Maker will import and edit video and has been shown to be compatible with a firewire connection.

I keep a laptop running XP to avoid these legacy problems!