Sony Handycam DCR-DVD301 & Pixela ImageMixer

WINDOWS Vista

WINDOWS Seven

WINDOWS 95-XP

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD301

Pixela ImageMixer

Recently I purchased a laptop running Vista Premium and found ImageMixer is not compatible with Windows Vista. I visited www.pixela.com and imagemixer.com/e/sony/ reference Imagemixer1.5 for DVD Handycam update drivers for use with Windows Vista.

Nothing mentions that this software is not compatible with Windows Vista. Thinking I should call Pixela at Toll Free North America +1-866-749-3521 only to be told to call 1-800-458-4029 and then I was able to speak with a Tech who in turn said, I needed to contact Sony at 1-800-222-7669. So far only a few minutes had been wasted.

After speaking with the Sony Tech. repeats what I already know, ImageMixer 1.5 is not compatible with Windows Vista. So this Sony Tech, puts me on hold while he finds out how I can capture my video from the camera to Windows Vista. So a few more minutes pass and he returns saying I need a cable, I cannot understand what he is saying and I ask him to spell it and it turns out I need a iLink 1394 cable.

While I was on hold by the Sony Tech, I visited Sony.com to see if there is made mention of needing this cable and how to upload/capture the video from the Handycam. Which I could not at

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=DCRDVD301&region_id=1

I selected: Sony® Camcorder Compatibility with Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Operating System

Then I viewed: How to transfer video from a Digital8® or MiniDV camcorder.

Select the appropriate method to transfer video from a Digital8® or MiniDV camcorder:

USB Streaming - Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Media Center and XP operating systems only

I selected> i.LINK (IEEE 1394) Audio/Video (A/V) cables

This is the first I have seen i.Link mentioned and my question is why did Sony not contact me with this when they first announced this cable was needed to interface the camera with a computer running Windows Vista, why did I register my product and software. And the same holds true for Pixela.

In conclusion: I am still waiting to purchase the iLink1394 cable, however I see such a wide range of price from $6.95 to $50 plus.

And I was able to take a survey and in bold are Sony's Question/statements and my reply below.

Please describe what you were looking for.

After calling Pixela about the software ImageMixer upgrade for Vista, I was told to call Sony Tech. and after speaking with a Sony Tech. ref: E351684477, I was told I need an iLink1394 cable. I cannot find this cable on your site as of yet. And I feel how this is one more reason not to buy Sony, since my purchase of the DVD301 Handycam and with the new OS Vista, I am put in a position forced to buy one more thing to be able to capture/upload from the camera to my laptop.

Why not update drivers so I can continue to use the USB cable that came with my Handycam? Pixela/ImageMixer has no reference on their site on who to contact or what to do using Vista or even something stating contact Sony. Another run around now with Sony, who I feel should send customers this information via e-mail what cable is needed and where we can purchase the cable, especially after visiting Sony.com entering my Sony model no# DVD301 and nothing says in order to use your DVD301 with Vista, you need a iLink1394 cable. So here I am looking for a cable to continue using my DVD301 and now Vista OS....gee why not something that allows you to place the mini-dvd's in the CD/DVD drive and read from there, the heck with the cable all together.

What did you like most about the Sony Support web site?

nothing, for I did not find out what I wanted to know from the site, I had to call...I do not care about all the press release info on the new iLink1394 cable, I need to see the cable and how much it is and where to buy one.

Please suggest any ways you think we might improve the Sony Support web site.

Read my comments in this survey and contact me. I like human to human interface not foreign out sourcing where I do not understand what is being said, so much time is wasted having both sides repeat the question or answer and a person gets very frustrated with this method of communication, especially in today's technical advance world. I like sites that have Tech Support Live, but then I have not seen this option with Sony's site.

I shall add this issue to my web site for all to read and as I find the solution, I then will update and pass this information onto other owners of Handycam's interfacing Windows Vista. And in the meantime I will not recommend Sony digital camcorders to any one. I use Nikon digital cameras...did I mention I own and operate Computer-Firstaid.com, that I am a professional photographer "Young Photography" Begnal-Enterprises.com I will leave out that I am also a retired Fire Captain and more, so I know and come in contact with many. I have been online since its existence before the WWW, so I am not new to computers and the Internet.

I wonder why I registered my Sony Handycam and give my e-mail addresses if I am not notified of a product update/change for my particular model DCR-DVD301?

How to transfer video to a computer using an i.LINK® connection (IEEE 1394).

IMPORTANT: Video capture software and a compatible video capture card must be installed on the computer. Depending on the computer manufacturer, various video capture cards and software (Adobe® Premiere, Roxio® VideoWave®, Microsoft® Windows Movie Maker, etc.) may be available or already installed on your computer. If necessary, contact the manufacturer of your computer for further information.

NOTE: Many Sony® VAIO® computers are bundled with Sony DVgate™ Motion or DVgate Plus software for video capturing. Some VAIO computers also include Click To DVD™ software that will allow video capture to the computer hard drive or directly to a DVD.

Connect an i.LINK® cable (also known as IEEE 1394) [FIG. 1] to the i.LINK port on the digital camcorder. Connect the other end of the i.LINK® cable to the computer. NOTE: The computer i.LINK® ports and capture cards may have either 4-pin or 6-pin connections; Sony® digital camcorders use i.LINK® ports with 4 pins. If your computer only has a 6-pin i.LINK® port, then it will be necessary to use a 4-pin to 6-pin i.LINK® cable.

Turn on the digital camcorder by moving the POWER switch to the VTR position. Cue the camcorder to the beginning of the video. Turn on the computer. Start the video capture software on the computer. Begin playing the recorded video in the camcorder. Begin importing the video with the capture software. NOTE: Because there are many different video capture applications on the market, Sony is unable to provide support or instructions for software we do not manufacture (third-party software). This is because we cannot reasonably know which video capture software you are using and we cannot speak for the manufacturers of third-party software applications. However, many video capture applications have detailed help files, including specific instructions about capturing and importing video from a camcorder to a computer. The help files should be available in the Help menu of the video capture software or in a separate file on the software disc. If you cannot find instructions in the help file or on the disc included with your software, consult the software manufacturer for more detailed support information.

It should now be possible to copy the video using the video capture software if the computer hardware and software are configured correctly. However, if the video capture software is not recognizing the camcorder connection to the computer, troubleshooting is available.

D.R. "Doc" Young
tech@begnal-enterprises.com

Fig 1

Below is the port on a HP dv6000z Laptop, which is a 4 pin and to the right, is the end of the cable for the Sony Digital camera and below that photo is the port of the camera. The other end of this cable is a standard USB plug. So in order to connect the Sony DVD300, you need a cable on one end in the photo on the left and the other end that of the cable end on the right.

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