Sony Handycam - Need to use MovieShaker?

[Garibaldi]

A friend gave me his Sony handycam to transfer a few videos for him, but I'm unsure as to how to do it exactly. Here's the model camera, its a DCR-IP5:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=DCRIP5&LOC=3
From the looks of it I need this cord:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VMC-IL4615-Digital-Transfer-Camcorders/dp/B000063W8X/ref=pd...123636-9364907
to hook it up to my firewire to capture. My friend has neither the cord nor any software that came with it so this next part is where I run into trouble. According to the manual, you are supposed to capture it with this software called MovieShaker, which of course is made by Sony. Its a $60 charge if I have to buy another copy of the cd from them. I do have Studio 9, can I use that to capture from it? Is MovieShaker the only program that will recognize and capture from this device? Also, I am puzzled because it says on the camera that it does MPEG 2 Video Recording, but since it is recording onto tapes how does that help me? I would still have to capture them with a 1:1 time ratio....
Thanks

[JohnnyMalaria]

It appears to use a standard FireWire (i.LINK) connection. So, as far as a physical hook-up goes, it's just like a miniDV camcorder.

It also appears to record MPEG2 to tape.

In theory, an XP SP1 or later PC should be able to *natively* transfer video (Microsoft added native support for MPEG2-TS streams via FireWire).

However, according to Microsoft, you can't use Movie Maker....

[zoobie]

I doubt movieshaker is the only one ...never heard of it actually
try all you have first to cap
then windv & dvio

[JohnnyMalaria]

I doubt movieshaker is the only one ...never heard of it actually
try all you have first to cap
then windv & dvio

But it's MPEG2-TS, not DV....

[Garibaldi]

I was reading on a page on Sony's site (unfortunately I can't link it since it is a popup) that you can only use the Movie Shaker software to capture. . . which may just be a ploy by them to make you buy it. Nonetheless, my alternative is to use a standard a/v cable which I can buy that adapts to the camera - obviously this will work with any software. I was just hoping for a faster route than 1:1 capture