I have replaced a Windows XP PC with a new PC running Windows 7 Home Premium and I have not been able to connect my DCR-HC26 Sony Handycam digital tape camera to the new PC. I'm using an I-link (firewire) cable. The camera seems to be recognised by the PC as a Sony DCR-HC26E, but when trying to capture video the following message is shown: "Cannot find the Handycam (Tape). Check the i.LINK connection to the Handycam." I suspect a driver type of problem is the cause but I've run out of ideas as to how to fix this problem. Any ideas??

Hi,
yes, if you posses a video grabber device it is very useful to convert any type of analogue signals, its price is about 30US$.
available everywhere.

Hello, I too use the same camera, the driver for your camera is now free for download on the net to work with Win 7 okay? all you need do it connect your movie camera to the firewire prot on PC (NOT USB) and into the camera it goes into a tiny little plug like a D shape.
Once you have camera connected to PC then turn PC on and your PC finds your camera right away once booted uo.

Sony have a support page for this camera with many issues covered including those in your question, at THIS LINK

Hi, kindly get it here :
www.sony.com/
www.brothersoft.com/.../sony-handycam-software.html
www.userdrivers.com > Camcorder
J__

get another cheap pc with xp

win vista and win 7doesn't support usb streaming. the usb driver for this model would not be compatible with your computer's OS. although, you were able to download PMB still this wouldn't work, it's basically an alternative software that you can use with the newer OS. still the device driver would not be installed. and you would get a message that "ilink connection is not detected". the reason you get that is bec the camcorder and the software is intended for use with the dv (ilink or ieee1394) connection. so if your computer has an ieee1394 card and you have a compatible ilink cable,then your good to go,it should be a plug-and-play connection (no drivers required). all you need then would be a video capturing software (like win moviemaker) to transfer videos from tape to PC. hope this helps. thanks :)

I have a sony handycam DCR-HC26. After loading in the DV cassette tape and the tape cannot get loaded in and therefore I can't close the tape door. Please help.
Thanks

if pc not recognising video automatically, best to download driver or try an xp machine

Click Sony Support and download required driver and software according to Windows running in your computer.

you will have to use the supplied software or just about any other video editing software to download the video to your pc. here is a link to a retail outlet for sony software.
http://www.picture-package.com/product_info.php?products_id=127