Need software to pull video from dvd camcorder USB

[darkcyber]

I have a Sony DCR DVD 505 and I just finalized a disc and it took over 8 minutes to do. Usually only takes about 2-3 minutes. After finalizing the disc, there is nothing on it now. So, I don't know if I finalized a blank disc or if it just wiped out everything I had on the disc. I didn't look at it before I finalized it. I am going through a stack of older disc and finalizing the ones I never got around to.

Now, to my questions. Is there anyway to repair this disc?

Next, how can I obtain a copy of the software (CD) that originally came with my camcorder? I have lost mine and I looked on the Sony web site and all they have is the upgrade. When I try to install it, it says it can't find the software installed. So, I need the original software period. I am going to try and copy off all of my remaining dvd's to the computer before I finalize them, just in case the camcorder is going south on me. I do not want to toast anymore dvd's.

When I hooked up my camcorder to the pc (Vista x64) it installed the camcorder (the drivers), but I have no way to get the video off of the camcorder through USB.

Any help appreciated.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Can't you just put the DVDs into your PC's DVD drive?

[darkcyber]

Can't you just put the DVDs into your PC's DVD drive?

Yes, I can, but the computer will only read it AFTER it has been finalized by the camcorder. I am trying to pull the video off somehow before I finalize the rest of the discs, in case the camcorder toasted that one disc. I do not want to loose anymore.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Oh, I see.

Via USB, does it send/has it ever sent it as MPEG2 or is it changed to MPEG1?

[darkcyber]

Oh, I see.

Via USB, does it send/has it ever sent it as MPEG2 or is it changed to MPEG1?

That is a very good question. I have never hooked it up to the computer via USB before. I have had the camcorder for years now and never had the need to hook it up. It came with a cd to install the software with, but I haven't a clue where it is after all these years. So, if I cannot get a copy of that software or something else that will do it, then I will be unable to transfer via USB. I do not know why Sony does not put the complete software on their website. I don't know why they require you to have the cd in the first place, what happens to someone like me that looses the disc? Screwed I guess.

[edDV]

Oh, I see.

Via USB, does it send/has it ever sent it as MPEG2 or is it changed to MPEG1?

That is a very good question. I have never hooked it up to the computer via USB before. I have had the camcorder for years now and never had the need to hook it up. It came with a cd to install the software with, but I haven't a clue where it is after all these years. So, if I cannot get a copy of that software or something else that will do it, then I will be unable to transfer via USB. I do not know why Sony does not put the complete software on their website. I don't know why they require you to have the cd in the first place, what happens to someone like me that looses the disc? Screwed I guess.

When the DVD camcorder format was announced, Sony said the target customer wasn't interested in editing. They just wanted a quick DVD. That was their attitude. The tools offered were primitive but did include a USB driver.

Sony Vegas and some other editors will import from a finalized DVD camcorder disc but I think you need the Sony software to import over USB. Maybe there are tools that allow an unfinalized disc to be read.


PS: I did a Google search "DVD camcorder USB import" and came up with leads you might check e.g. iMovie, FixYa, VideoStudio.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=DVD+camcorder+USB+import

[JohnnyMalaria]

I do not know why Sony does not put the complete software on their website. I don't know why they require you to have the cd in the first place, what happens to someone like me that looses the disc? Screwed I guess.

I hear you. It's not as if people are pirating camcorders...

I saw on their European website that you should contact support if you need a replacement CD. Worth a shot... (Also saw it on BitTorrent but I'd *never* do that...)