How can I connect a Sony DCR-TRV33E to my laptop?

[richard.fullerton]

I have a Sony DCR-TRV33E handycam and I used to download video from the mini DV tapes by connecting it to my desktop PC via a Firewire (EE1394) cable into a card slot. I have upgraded to a laptop but there is no Firewire port. How then do I download video from the mini DV tapes on my handycam to my laptop for editing? USB won't work of course just as it didn't for the PC. Any advice gratefully received.

[Blencogo]

Hi richard.fullerton.

Unless you have a firewire port (or an ExpressCard slot that will take a firewire card) you cannot transfer video in digital form from your camcorder to a Windows Vista, 7 or 8 computer.

The only way to transfer your videos is now in analogue form. There may be a small loss of quality as there will be a Digital -> Analogue -> Digital conversion.

You will need the AV cable originally supplied with your camcorder (3.5mm jack to 3 x Yellow/Red/White plugs) to output an analogue signal from your camcorder and a USB Video Capture Device to convert to digital in a form recognised by your USB ports. These cost from £5 to £150 but something like this should work OK: -

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

[richard.fullerton · Accepted solution]

Thanks I will go to Maplins and find out about getting an Express Card slot adaptor to take Firewire. Ridiculous really. R