import Old Handycam miniDV to Windows 10 PC without iLink/firewire or expresscard ports

[adnana1]

I have an old digital video camera recorder (Model: DCR-HC54E) and a few miniDV cassettes that I recorded with the camera. I want to transfer these recordings from the cassette to my windows 10 laptop in a suitable video format. I do not have iLink/firewire port in my laptop or an express card reader. I have USB-A and USB-C ports. Can someone brief me with the steps and the tools I need? Or any source that explains the same? Thanks.

[Pascale_F]

Hi adnana1, 

Welcome to the community. 

I'm just going to try to find some answers for you. In the meantime, maybe someone else in the community might have some ideas. 

Thanks,

Pascale

[adnana1]

That's really nice, thank you for your time

[The_Black_Rose]

Hi adnana1,

I don't think it will be possible to do this without an iLink cable. Due the seniority of this model, it's a very low chance that it will be recognized by a Windows 10 PC.

I even searched the Sony website and found this article: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00172974

Cheers,

Rose

[adnana1]

Thanks for the suggestion, I was also thinking it might not be possible without an iLink port. I can also have access to a Macbook with a thunderbolt port. I have seen some people use, but not sure as I am not a Mac user. Do you have any suggestion with this?

Thanks again.

[Blencogo · Accepted solution]

The only solution I can think of is to buy an inexpensive USB Video Capture Device.

You will need the AV cable supplied with the camera (or buy a third party replacement) and connect the Yellow/Red/White connectors to the USB capture device as you would to a TV.  See page 26 of your manual:

Make sure the USB capture device is Win 10 compatible.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0776QZKPP

[The_Black_Rose · Accepted solution]

Hi adnana1,

I found another article for transferring to Windows:

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/cameras-camcorders/articles/00028223

And this one is for Mac:  https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/cameras-camcorders/articles/00173003

Cheers,

Rose

[adnana1]

I do not have the AV cable that was with the camera. I tried searching for it but got many different results and don't know which one is for me. Do you know what is this exact cable called?

And also this model has something called 'USB streaming' option in the camera (P. 41 of the manual), Do you know if this could work with capturing the tapes into windows?

Thank you.

[adnana1]

Thanks for the article, It is very straight forward. I just need the A/V connecting cable for my camcorder and I don't have the one supplied. My camcorder has an A/V out port like the image attached, Do you know what is it called?

Thanks again.

[Blencogo]

Here you go:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AAA-Products-High-Grade-Connecting/dp/B004UARKJU

Sadly USB streaming does not work. The last usable drivers were for Windows XP. Nothing is possible evidently for any Windows version after XP.