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Hi there.

WIN XP Prof SP3 with updates, Sony Handycam Software, VS 12, DCR-DVD608 Handycam.

I am using re-writable DVD's for my handycam.

It has happened now with 2 of my DVD's that I cannot import the video-clips to my PC. I have always used Sony's software to download/import my clips to my PC and this way has always worked for me.

I have tried now to import the 9 clips on my DVD. Suddenly, it only shows the 1st clip and then only the empty blocks where the other clips should have been. I have tried numerous times to import/download.
Eventually I finalised the DVD and tried to import/download directly by putting the DVD in the DRD-drive of my PC.
No luck!
When I view the clips directly on my Handycam, they are all there.
I have tried the same with a 2nd disk which has about 38 clips on. It loads up to about clip #9 and then the DCD just keeps on spinning in my Handycam. I can view the clips perfectly well on my Handycam but I'm having difficulty getting the clips on PC.
As I know the clips are there, what can you suggest to me to get the clips on my PC? I don't want to loose these clips; they are all from our recent trip to the Kruger National Park in South Africa and have lots of beautifull animals on it.

I will really appreciate all the help I can get.

Regards,
Deon

Hi Deon! One thing is not clear in your post. You say you always use the Sony software to capture. But have you actually tried capturing using VS? (That would also require the disc to be finished and put in your PC... Then, in X2, choose Insert Digital Media.)

Hi Ken and thanx for the reply.

I think I have some other problem.

Even when Importing Digital Media from VS, the import stops at any given clip. This is true for 3 of my DVDs. It seems to me that the clips got hurt somewhere somehow.

My question now, before making mistakes again in the future:
1. DVD-RW or DVD-R? (These DVDs with the problems are all re-recordables).
2. What are the must and must nots of recording to DVD Handycams?

Thanx again for your help.

Deon

Sorry, I have never used one, so cannot really comment on those questions... Hopefully someone who is a user with such a camera might be able to help...

The only other thing I could think of would be to try to copy the contents of these DVDs to your hard drive using Windows Copy/Paste or something similar, and then try again from there.

I use DVD+RW discs in my Sony camera and rightly or wrongly I take the disc out of the camera and put it in my PC's DVD drive. It is then a simple matter of drag and drop to my hard drive. In my case that is an external hard drive where I keep all my original clips. This way you don't need any software to "capture" your clips. In fact I bought this Sony very, very cheaply as it has no PC connection and the previous owner had been told there was no way that he could get the clips from his camera to his PC!!!!!!!

Thanx Ken & John for your replies.

John, can I please tap your brain here? This is what I do.
I got 3 x Sony DVD-RW with my Sony Handycam.

1. I think I had to format them when I used them for the 1st time.
2. Installed the Sony Video Capture Software that came with my Camera and "imported" the DVD without finalising.
3. Everything worked wonderfull together with VS 11+ and now VS 12.
4. Placed the used DVD-RW in my Handycam and formatted the disk.
5. Used as I always have done.
6. Tried to import without success. I get to 08.... error. Where the clips should be when viewing directly on my Handycam, there are question marks.
7. Decided to finalise and do a Digital Import with VS 12.
8. VS bombs out with an error.

What am I doing wrong and do you finalise before copying the DCD to your HDD?
I have read in a thread a couple of minutes ago that one should never format a DVD; but, how do I get it clean again?

I ave just tried to copy & Paste a DVD like you do, but ran into some data error. Maybe my DVD got corrupt.

Thanx so long for your help & advise.

Deon

As I said I have only ever used DVD+RW discs. I bought them after reading the part of the camera manual that dealt with the different discs available. I attach a file with a picture of the relevant page in my manual. I found the subject of finalising and formatting a bit confusing but found that with the +RW discs I didn't need to worry about that. I always format the discs in my camera. That way apparently they are ready to accept the recorded video files.
From the problems you are having I would say that you need to finalize the disc in the camera before attempting to drag and drop from your PC's DVD drive.
After getting the clips to the PC if you want to "clean" the disc then Format it in the camera. I think when you read that you should never format a DVD this should have read "Never format a DVD on your PC (ie a Windows Format) that you want to use in your camera". Once Windows formatted it cannot be reformatted in your camera. In other words it is renderred useless!
Have you got a manual for your camera. If so look up the part about finalizing and formatting. It may be more up to date than mine. It's certainly worth the effort in getting this right as I get superb results from my Sony and as I bought it so cheaply I really enjoy using it. I'm not going to reveal how much I paid for it on Ebay. Feel a bit guilty really (just kidding)