Hello Ray. Thanks for your reply. I have tried this, but are not able to find any driveres at Hitachi. Only user manual and brochyres. have tried also serching in internet, but without success.

Erik

@Erik-Norstrm

Hi Eric.

I can only find that Hitachi had their own 'extraction software' (their term) for this camcorder that ran on Win 98.

Another option may to connect video / audio leads to the camcorder (if it has output sockets) and connect to a video converter card or USB type interface. Otherwise I can't think of any other way of you getting footage as the camcorder does not seem to be recognised as a storage device.

I'll copy in @AAProds who will now be alerted to this post. He is our resident 'expert' on this topic as well as perhaps @johnbaker who's general knowledge is quite extensive.

Maybe one of those has an alternative answer.

Ray.

Thnak you. I will hope someone can come up with something.

Erik

@Erik-Norstrm @CubeAce

Gday Eric, Ray's putting the pressure on here! 😅 I've always considered the term "expert" to mean a former drip under pressure, although I do note that he put the word in quotes. Perhaps he meant that too! 😉 Anyway, I'll give it a shot.

I've had a quick look through the manual for the 550.

Some initial points/thoughts:

-Video Easy will probably not be able to "see" the camera, as is, because the PC connection is USB, and the drivers (out of date as they are), wouldn't be set up for video capture, only data transfer using the Hitachi software. You will need a USB video grabber stick as a go-between, but more on that later, if required.

-Are you able to see the file contents of one of your DVD-RAM discs in Windows Explorer? Alternatively, if you have DVD-Rs, can you see their contents? You may have to "finalise" the DVD-R in the camera first.

If you can you post a screenshot of what shows up in Windows Explorer, that would be great. Use the round blue button with the up arrow at the top of the new message box on the forum here.

Possible solutions are:

* Use the files copied off the DVD in VE;

* Use ISO Buster to extract the video files off the disks, then take them into VE;

* Acquire a video grabber and do an analogue video capture using VE or other program. You have S-Video out on that camera so the video should be as good as the DVD quality, even if you have to "re-capture" it onto your PC.

Cheers, Al

Edit: didn't realise you are using Video Easy. I didn't have VE installed, but the principles should be the same. I've amended my post a bit.

@AAProds

Hi Al.

I meant 'Expert' as in possibly the most knowledgeable and experienced user regarding the problems with such devices or similar. 😂

Ray.

@Erik-Norstrm, @AAProds, @CubeAce

Hi

. . . . Are you able to see the file contents of one of your DVD-RAM discs in Windows Explorer? . . . .

To add to the above comment by Alwyn

Providing your DVD drive in the computer supports DVD-RAM discs and the recording file format has a .ts or .vob, you should be able to copy the video files directly from the disc to the PC - closing of the disc should not be necessary as you are reading it as a data disc.

John EB