HELP I have a Sony Hi8 CCD-TRV138 Hi-8 Analog HandyCam that has been safely in it's case for not even a year. I'm sure it hasn't been exposed to extreme temperatures or abuse. The problem is that it will play back old tapes but in record mode it's all black and doesn't record video or audio. It worked fine when i put it in it's case. Do you know a solution? Please help if you can?

You can get videos from this camera, or any analogue video source, into a computer, but you need more than just a cable. You have to play them into an analogue video interface port. These are available as expansion slot cards for a desktop PC, or as a USB plug-in interface (which is what you need for a laptop). The interface will come with drivers and probably software to digitise the video input and record it to a file. Lots of third party video editing software will also be able to accept the input from this kind of port. You don't need any "driver" related to the camera, it is just a video signal source. The connecting leads will be standard RCA signal plugs, like the ones you use to connect to a TV or VHS recorder. You probably already have a lead for this.

CCD-TRV138 is analog camcorder that can not be connected directly with computer by usb cable, this camcorder does not have any usb port to hook it to computer.
Only digital camcorder/ camera can be connected with computer.
Hope these info will help you.
Thanks.

Hi,

Before i proceed, do you see any flashing triangle in the viewfinder?Any error message?

Thanks!!

Hi,
Sony CCD-TRV138 is analog video-8 camcorder that can not be hooked directly with computer because computer needs digital data file where as this camcorder is an analog and has no digital file format.

If you want to transfer CCD-TRV138 movies in computer, you need to convert its analog Audio-Video signal into digital format then save it in computer for further process/ edit etc.

Hook CCD-TRV138 with DVD Recorder in AV Input and burn a DVD, this process will convert analog movie into digital data format, put that CD in your computer and copy-paste files in computer.
Hope this info will help you.
Thanks.

hi,

see if the sony cam manual you need was on this list:

The Sony DCR-TRV480 and DCR-TRV380 Digital8 Manual can be downloaded at: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DCRTRV480.PDF

The Sony DCR-TRV460 and DCR-TRV361 Digital8 Manual can be downloaded at: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DCRTRV460.PDF

The Sony DCR-TRV280 Digital8 Manual which also covers the Hi8 CCD-TRV138 and CCD-TRV338 can be downloaded at:
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DCRTRV280.PDF

The Sony DCR-TRV260 and DCR-TRV265 Digital8 Manual which also covers the Hi8 CCD-TRV128, CCD-TRV228 CCD-TRV328 and CCD-TRV428 can be downloaded at:
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DCRTRV260.PDF

The Sony DCR-TRV130 Digital8 Manual can be downloaded at: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DCRTRV130.PDF

The Sony DCR-TRV240, DCR-TRV340, DCR-TRV740 and DCR-TRV840 Digital8 Manual can be downloaded at: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DCRTRV840.PDF

CCD-TRV138 is analog camera and you can not attach directly with PC. You need MPEG Card or something in PC to digitize the analog audio-video signal. That card will give you input connections for camera.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=CCDTRV128&news_id=161

Use good quality video head cleaning cassette because video head seems dirty/ clogged. If it doesnt solve the problem, video head need to be replaced.

Hello,
Sony handycam model starts with CCD-XXXX shows that its analog camcorder and its picture signal is analog. You can't connect directly camera with PC to transfer files. You need to install MPEG card or some thing like that in PC 1st and this card will digitize analog picture signal into compatible format.

I have the same problems. Makes me mad. I have a years worth of tapes that I can no longer view. My dog at peed on my old camera which was a digital one.