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Sony DCR-SR80
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Question Answered!
Neil Smith (nsmith82) 1 pts
June 15, 2007 1:15 PM
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I am having problems to get my video to download to my laptop. The computer doesn't seem to want to recognize the device.

I have an IBM T-60P laptop. My computer has trouble recognizing the device and even when it does, it will not download the video. I have been able to occasionally hit the burn button on the dcr80 docking station, but that is only occasionaly.
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Answers This question has been answered!
Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 16, 2007 12:24 PM
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Neil.
Since you have mentioned that your dcr80 occasionally has been recognized, that means that it can, so it could be a bad USB connection. The first thing to do is check your cables, try another USB cable that you know that works.

If its still giving you problems, then try reinstalling your software, or have your docking station checked for defects.

Good Luck!
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Neil Smith (nsmith82) 1 pts
June 18, 2007 1:06 PM
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Thank you. I have tried that, including using a different camcorder, docking station and cable. Still not downloading. The laptop recognizes device, but the software will not recognize any video. The message states no camera attached. I appreciate the info.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 18, 2007 1:46 PM
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Neil.
You haven't mentioned what software you are using, but if its the Sony camcorder software, then it does not surprise me. 9 of 10 times when there is a software recognition issue, its usually the manufactures software. In general, all manufactures software are very basic and useless at the same time. I belive it may have conflicts with the directory in your operating system. Everyone that have posted the similar problem, have resolved it with using a third party movie software.

I strongly recommend to get a third party movie editing software to use with your Sony DCR-SR80.

Many consumers that have posted the same question on this website decided using Adobe Premiere. That does not confirm that it works the best, but it surely indicates its a great deal for what it offers. However, every editing software its pros and cons. The software ease with the your Sony is one thing, but even more importantly is the overall features and versatility for the final edited product. Some may offer better control and performance with audio and title effects over another, some offer better video imaging enhancements and will interact with other software programs such as Photoshop.

Here is a link to some popular HD/SD editing software. If you click the select features button on the top left corner of the this link page, you will be able to do good comparison of HD editing features between software:
http://www.videomaker.com/grid/hd-editing-software/
Best Answer
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 18, 2007 1:53 PM
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Hey, Neil.
Here is a review from a consumer using PC computer baesd editing software. I hope this will give you a better perspective in selecting the right movie software for your your Sony.


Lately I have been trying Adobe Elements 3.0, Pinnacle Studio 11, Ulead Videostudio 11 and Vegas 7.0 +DVD

Mind you, I am a very simple editor. I usually cut and paste and add a few transitions and make a menu. Then I burn the footage on DVD, so I was looking for a very simple editor that gave a great quality output (So far on normal DVD, as soon as HDTV and blue ray will be widely available I might edit the tapes a bit more)

Vegas:
Vegas is just fantastic with great rendering time on my dual core Dell 9200 but I found it way too complicated for an amateur like me. Vegas is the best! But overkill for me and 6x the money!

Elements:
Elements looks really great with build in DVD authoring and very fancy menu's. But incredibly slow rendering/burning and it crashed every time during burning. Also the capture preview doesn't work with the HV20.

Ulead:
Ulead is fine and uncomplicated but still has a tough time with 1080i footage and i did not like the menu structure.

Pinnacle:
For me the winner is Pinnacle Studio 11 Plus: It has everything I want: Very straightforward editing on 5 tracks (More than I need at the moment). Complete automated in- and output as soon as you connect the cam, no hassle with settings, it captures (With preview) without crashes and the output can be dvd, dvd folder or files in all possible formats. For only 100 bucks it is hard to beat.......

__________________
Jeroen


Conclusion: if you are an entry level videographer/editor looking for an easy editing system, and downloading, I would recommend Pinnacle Studio 11 plus. If you want a more demanding software that offers allot of room to grow into for an advanced level, then Sony Vegas would be a very good choice.
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Neil Smith (nsmith82) 1 pts
June 18, 2007 2:16 PM
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Thank you very much. I have researched the video editing software and have tried the Vegas software as a free trial. The problem is getting the camera to download. Once I get it downloaded, then yeah, the editing software is there. And I agree the Vegas software is great. I have also used the Media Creator by Roxio. It is good too. Especially ease of use. I am just trying to get it to download.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 18, 2007 2:36 PM
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Neil.
It could be a driver problem, If you had a miniDV tape cam it would be able to import directly in to the editing software without a file conversion. So, a conversion software may help to download your MPEG video files, or try installing another driver for the SR80

Check this link for reviews on the Sony DCR-SR80 downloading your MPEG video files.
http://forums.support.roxio.com/index.php?showtopic=12850
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 18, 2007 3:00 PM
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Neil.
Here is a link to sony cam drivers, hopefully there is one for the SR80.
http://www.nodevice.com/driver/category/Camcorder/SONY.html
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Neil Smith (nsmith82) 1 pts
June 21, 2007 4:20 AM
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Thank you very much for your time and answers. It appears that occasionally this Sony Camcorder has issues with dual core computers. I don't know to what extent as yet, but I am researching further. Again, thank you for your time.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 21, 2007 6:28 AM
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That's sounds unusual, but with Sony it would not surprise me. If I find out more, I will post it in this thread for you.
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