I really want to know why. I have two different laptop with fireware connection but both does not recognize this camcorder.

Do I need to install special program before connection fireware cable from camcorder to laptop?

Thank you for this usefull answer. Yes that could be the reason.

Because laptop does not do anything when I plug.

So, its good to try it in another camcorder.

Or, good to try new cable with this camcorder so cable could be broken as well.

I will update information soon.

Regards.

Previous message analog hi-8 etc confused me.

But yes, my camcorder is TRV-310 and its Digital8 already.

Problem could be on the camcorder's fireware port.

That could be broken. I ordered new cable and will check it when I receive.

If still does not work, as I said, I will purchase new digital8

Thank you all.

First of all, I ordered new camcaorder, new regular firewire cable and new original genuine sony firewire cable just in case.

All of my ordered was arrived when we discharged from hospital on Friday.

I first tried regular firewire cable with my CURRENT CAMCORDER. My laptop recognized it.

Its mean, firewire port of my laptop was ok (I was going to order laptop as well but I have 6pin Dell, will try soon)

Firewire port of the camcorder was also ok since the new cable worked.

Then I tried genuine sony firewire cable, that also worked in second.

I tried both cables with the new purchased camcorder (actually old) which is 1 step higher model.

Both cable worked on that camcorder and camcorder worked as well.

So, now I have two recording set and I will keep them for sure.

Next step was recording my 9 hi-8 tapes. I tried about 5-6 different programs.

All worked but some of them was not perfect. I used AMCap and My Screen Cam to record.

They both recorded my taped to computer. But the sound was bad and I did not like video quality.

Then I used Windows Movie maker which also was recognizing my camcorder.

Quality was better but it was not enough. I recorded these tapes 5 years ago to the VCD (anyone familiar name)

VCD was a movie format before DVDs, so movie maker's recording quality seemed as VCD to me.

Or, if you connect your camcorder to TV with RCA cables (red, white, yellow) quality is like that.

What I know is that, quality on the tapes is digital and it should be better on tv if you can connect directly right?

I mean, instead of RCA cables, if I were be able to connect camcorder to tv with firewire, I could see better quality?

By the way, my new tv channel box is DCX700-M (Motorola) This box has firewire port behind it.

However, its not 4 pin but its 6 pin. My new cable 4to6 is on the way and I will try it when I receive.

Then I tried Ulead Video Studio, Pinnacle Studio, OnLocation and Premiere Pro. (Trial)

They were better. But quality seemed to me still weak. First of all, they all records with 720X480

I do not have space problem but I still could not find way to save them in hd like 1920x1080

I recorded all 9 tapes to my externel hdd (2TB) longest tape has 4 hours video and shortest has 29 minutes.

They all took about 170GB space which Im ok. I first recorded shortest one to laptop hdd directly

My laptop is specifications: HP Elitebook 2760P i5 - 4GB Ram, i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs)

(For Expert I stated my detailed system information below)

Then I recorded that shortest video directly to the External HDD (Uses USB 3.0)

I checked video quality and there was no difference, so I setup camcorder to my laptop.

And recorded all taped to External HDD through usb 3.0 . All video seems as vcd or like I connect to tv through rca.

I have two other Dell laptop system which has 6pin firewire (My 4to6pin cable is on the way)

XPS L501X and L502X i7-2720QM 8GB GT540M 640GB 7200 Rpm 1080p 2GB NVIDIA Blu-ray

My questions are

1. If I record these tapes through below better Dell System, quality will chance?

2. What is best program that I can record tapes in hdv format instead of dv. (I want 1920x1080 if possible)

3. What is real quality of the video in these hi-8 tapes. Will it looks better on my lcd if I can connect with firewire?

4. My latest recording (even through usb 3.0) seems fair. Like VCD quality. Like you connect to tv with rca cables.

So, is this best thing I could do with these tapes?

Thanks in advance for your patient.

Regards.

System Information

-----------------

Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333)

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz

Memory: 4006MB RAM

Available OS Memory: 4006MB RAM

Page File: 2649MB used, 5361MB available

Display Devices

---------------

Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000

Manufacturer: Intel Corporation

Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family

DAC type: Internal

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0126&SUBSYS_162A103C&REV_09

Display Memory: 1696 MB

Dedicated Memory: 64 MB

Shared Memory: 1632 MB

Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (40Hz)

Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor

Monitor Model: unknown

Monitor Id: SEC5741

Native Mode: 1280 x 800(p) (59.976Hz)

Output Type: Internal