Need to adapt/convert my iLink cable

[vanguard10]

Can anybody help please as I have a camcorder which I used to connect to my XP desktop. This machine has now become redundant as I have a laptop but there is no port to connect the iLink firewire into it and I cannot capture my camcorder video anymore. Is there some type of converter or adapter which I can plug into to enable me to do this? I have a DCR HC22E camcorder which has been really reliable for me and do not want to have to buy new if there is a solution out there. Below is a link showing the cable connection ends.

http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz48/Vanguard_01/iLinkCable.png

Thank-you.

[Blencogo]

Is there a small iLink port on the laptop - the same as on the camcorder docking station?

If so you will need a 6-pin iLink to 4-pin iLink converter like this: -

http://www.lindy.co.uk/firewire-adapter-4-pin-male-to-6-pin-female-mini-version/70395.html

Or just a 4-pin to 4-pin cable like this: -

http://www.lindy.co.uk/firewire-cable-premium-4-pin-male-to-4-pin-male-transparent-03m/30879.html

If you have no iLink port at all, do you have an expresscard 34 slot?  There are adapters around but it will be more expensive: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dynamode-PCMX2FW-FireWire-Adaptor-ExpressCard/dp/B002PIC8WI/ref=sr_1_10?ie=U...

[vanguard10]

Thanks for the swift reply, unfortunately though it looks like it could be a bit expensive for me. I have no iLink connections which are the same as my docking station but I do have an Express card /54 slot - not 34 as you suggest (On my Acer laptop). I have 2 laptop's one with Vista and one with Windows 7 (which has no Express card slot) but the only common connections they do have for video etc is an HDMI port, I don't know if this can be used?

Thanks.

[Blencogo]

Sorry to say the HDMI connection on a laptop will almost certainly be an output only.

What model laptops do you have?  It is certainly the case that iLink/Firewire is dying out in favour of USB types.

[vanguard10]

My Acer Aspire 7730 (with Vista Basic) and a HP Pavillion dv7 (with Windows 7) and it looks like Sony may have pulled a fast one with the software.

My XP system used Picture Package with either Firewire or USB communication to the camera docking station. I have learned that this application will not run on Vista (and I assume not on Windows 7 either) but with some modified uploads using the Picture Package disc you can now get "Picture Motion Browser" but it only connects using the firewire, there's no facility for using the usb anymore which seems to conflict with your comment above.

Is the 54 slot express card any use then if I get one for 6 pin plug firewire lead to go into which I think I have?

Thanx