here is what I found for my sony handycam DCR-HC38.
check the below links and you'll be fine
Can my Sony Handycam (DCR-TRV350) be used as a webcam?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Yes - the TRV350 support USB Streaming. Here's the instruction
from the Sony eSupport website:
http://129.33.22.7/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=756,E=00000000
00802289430,K=9309,Sxi=2,KB=CISCV3,VARSET_OBJ=414007,VARSET_L2=
R411233,t=case.tem
How to use a Sony® camcorder as a webcam using USB Streaming.
IMPORTANT:
* Not all Sony® camcorders are equipped with a USB
Streaming port. For compatibility information, or if you
require further assistance with any of the steps below, consult
the instruction manual of your camcorder. A copy of the
camcorder instruction manual is available in the
Manuals/Specs/Warranty section of the Sony® eSupport Web site
* The USB Streaming driver is not compatible with the
Apple® Mac OS® operating system.
* The computer should have a factory installed USB port and
compatible webcam software, such as Microsoft® NetMeeting®.
NOTE: This procedure cannot be performed when using the battery
of the camcorder as a power source. If the camcorder is turned
on, but not recording or playing a tape, it will automatically
turn off after 5 minutes to conserve battery power. In
addition, please be advised that this procedure may not work
for all Sony camcorder models even when using the AC power
adapter. Some models have an automatic demonstration mode that
will activate after 5 minutes if the camera is turned on but
not recording or playing a tape.
1. Install the USB Streaming driver on the computer from the
CD provided with the camcorder.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Plug the AC power adapter for the camcorder into a
working electrical outlet and then connect it to the camcorder.
4. Connect the supplied USB cable to the camcorder and
computer.
5. Turn on the camcorder by moving the POWER switch to the
CAMERA position.
6. In the camcorder menu, set the USB STREAMING option to
ON.
7. On the computer, start the webcam software.
NOTE: Contact the software manufacturer for assistance with
setting up or using the webcam software.
Created: Fri Apr 07 18:11 2006 | Last Modified: Mon Jun 26
11:38 2006
http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=411233
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=DCRHC38®i
on_id=1
DCR-HC38
MiniDV Handycam® Camcorder
Serial Number Location: On the bottom of the camcorder.
Hot Topics
* Important information about the Sony ImageStation®
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* Sony® Camcorder Compatibility with Microsoft® Windows
Vista™ Operating System
* How to copy or transfer video to your computer
* How to use a Sony® camcorder as a webcam for video
conferencing
* How to connect the camcorder to a television
* i.LINK® connection is not recognized by the computer
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Sony® Camcorder Compatibility with Microsoft® Windows Vista™
Operating System
Posted: 03/02/2007
The compatibility information for the Sony camcorders is broken
into two parts, one for the camcorder itself and the other for
the digital imaging software that came on the CD bundled with
the camcorder. Please note that it is possible for the
camcorder to be compatible with a computer running the Windows
Vista operating system while the originally provided digital
imaging software is not.
* Camcorder & Driver Compatibility
* Software Compatibility
Camcorder & Driver Compatibility
Back to top
* Not all models are sold in all countries.
* The drivers required to connect most Sony® cameras and
camcorders to a computer are already included in the Microsoft
Windows Vista operating system.
Note: In some instances, the camera or camcorder may not
be recognized by the computer when connected. In this case,
check to see if there is an updated driver available for your
model.
* Not all Sony camcorders are compatible:
o For compatible Sony camcorders - You should be able
to connect your camcorder and transfer files to a computer
running the Windows Vista operating system.
o For non-compatible Sony camcorders - Operation with
the Microsoft® Windows Vista™ operating system is not
guaranteed.
* The 64-bit starter version of the Windows Vista operating
system is not supported.
* The USB streaming feature available on some camcorder
models is not supported with Windows Vista operating system.
Check the chart below to see if your Sony camcorder model is
compatible for use with the Windows Vista operating system.
Legend:
Ο = Compatible
Ν = Not Applicable
– = Non-Compatible (not guaranteed)
Digital Video Camcorders
Models USB (Memory Stick) i.Link
DCR-HC1000 Ο Ο
DCR-HC15 Ν Ο
DCR-HC20 Ν Ο
DCR-HC21 Ν Ο
DCR-HC26 Ν Ο
DCR-HC28 Ν Ο
DCR-HC30 Ο Ο
DCR-HC32 Ο Ο
DCR-HC36 Ο Ο
DCR-HC38*5 Ν Ο
*5The USB streaming function is supported by the driver
included in the supplied CD-ROM.
The i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) connection from the camcorder is not
recognized by the computer.
Follow the steps below to troubleshoot this issue.
IMPORTANT: Some digital camcorders must be setup to output a
signal through the i.LINK® port prior to being connected to a
computer. Consult the instruction manual of your camcorder for
specific information before continuing with the steps in this
solution. Instruction manuals are available in the
Manuals/Specs/Warranty section of the Sony® eSupport Web site.
1. Ensure the i.LINK cable is connected securely to the
camcorder and computer.
2. Ensure the camcorder is turned on and being powered by
the supplied AC power adapter.
3. Ensure the video capture card and software are configured
properly to receive the i.LINK signal from the camcorder.
NOTES:
* Depending on the video capture card and software
you are using, you may need to manually configure the capture
card and software to receive a signal from the i.LINK port. If
applicable, check the Help files of the software or contact the
video capture card or software manufacturer for further
information.
* Sony® digital camcorders are not provided with and
do not require special device drivers for i.LINK connectivity.
The device drivers that allow i.LINK connectivity should be
provided with the video capture software. If the software you
are using does not appear to have the required drivers, you
will need to contact the software manufacturer.
4. If the issue is still not resolved, try closing and
reopening the video capture software.
5. If the issue is still not resolved, try using a different
i.LINK cable or connecting to another i.LINK port or different
computer, if available.
The troubleshooting steps listed above should resolve your
issue. If you have completed all of the steps and the issue is
not resolved, service may be required. The Sony® eService Web
site at http://eservice.sony.com/ can assist you in obtaining
service from a Sony Service Center or locating a Sony
Authorized Servicer.
Created: Wed Oct 30 10:35 2002 | Last Modified: Tue Feb 13
15:55 2007
http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=86798
Knowledge Article C414007
How to use a Sony® camcorder as a webcam for video
conferencing.
Depending on the Sony® camcorder being used, it may be possible
to use it as a webcam for video conferencing using one of the
connection methods listed below. Refer to the operating
instructions supplied with the product for model-specific
information about product features. Manuals are available
online in the Manuals/Specs/Warranty section of the Sony®
eSupport Web site.
Select the appropriate connection method for information about
using a Sony® camcorder as a webcam:
* Composite Video or S-Video
* USB Streaming
NOTE: The i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) ports found on some Sony®
camcorder models are not supported for webcam use.
Created: Fri Apr 07 17:13 2006 | Last Modified: Mon Dec 18
15:19 2006
http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=414007
Model: DCRHC38
(Change Model)
How to use a Sony® camcorder as a Web cam with a composite
video or S-video connection.
IMPORTANT: The computer must have a composite Video or S-Video
input jack [FIG. 1] and compatible webcam software installed.
Some computers may require a video capture card and/or sound
board.
NOTE: This procedure cannot be performed when using the battery
of the camcorder as a power source. If the camcorder is turned
on, but not recording or playing a tape, it will automatically
turn off after 5 minutes to conserve battery power. In
addition, please be advised that this procedure may not work
for all Sony® camcorder models even when using the AC power
adapter. Some models have an automatic demonstration mode that
will activate after 5 minutes if the camera is turned on but
not recording or playing a tape.
1. Plug the AC power adapter for the camcorder into a
working electrical outlet and then connect it to the camcorder.
2. Connect a composite video cable or S-Video cable to the
VIDEO or S-VIDEO jack on the camcorder.
NOTES:
* Sony camcorders usually come packaged with
composite Audio/Video cables; S-Video cables are sold
separately.
* To purchase either of these cables, check with your
local electronics dealer or visit the Sony Direct Accessories
and Parts Center Web site.
3. Connect the other end of the composite video cable or
S-Video cable to the VIDEO IN or S-VIDEO IN jack on the
computer.
4. Turn on the camera by moving the POWER switch to the
CAMERA position.
5. Remove the cassette tape from the camcorder.
6. Turn on the computer.
7. Start the webcam application to be used.
NOTE: Contact the software manufacturer for assistance
with setting up or using the webcam software.
Info from First Step Guide:
To use USB streaming
Using USB streaming, you can use your camcorder as a PC camera
for programs such as Windows Messenger. The following operation
is required only for the first time.
1 After step 6 of "Connecting with a USB cable," if [Found New
Hardware Wizard] appears, click [Next] and complete the
installation.
2 If the dialogue box prompting you to confirm the digital
signature appears, click [Continue Anyway].
3 Click [Done].
Note
* The USB streaming function cannot be used with Picture
Motion Browser.
Tip
* We recommend you set your camcorder to 4:3 mode to
utilize the aspect ratio of videos or still images played back
on the screen of a computer (4:3).
Does it matter?, February 2008
