RCA to USB 3 Cable

G

GPag

Member

Mar 14, 2020

32

2

71

• Jan 6, 2025

• #1

I want to connect a Sony digital camcorder, DCR-TRV510, to my laptop so I can transfer tapes. The camcorder has FireWire and RCA outputs. My laptop only has a USB 3 input. Do I just need an RCA output to USB 3 input converter cable or are there other configuration issues I need to worry about?
Thanks.

 

Last edited: Jan 6, 2025

Brainonska511

Lifer

Dec 10, 2005

27,220

11,372

136

• Jan 6, 2025

• #2

Isn't RCA just an analog output to hook it up to a tv for playback?

I'd try a FireWire to USB cable. But you may also need to dig up a driver if Windows won't recognize it.

 

mindless1

Diamond Member

Aug 11, 2001

8,583

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• Jan 14, 2025

• #3

Agreed, converting analog to digital is going to be lower quality than keeping it digital with a firewire to USB converter/cable. I have seen some cables or just inline adapters that are just connector conversions, meaning a firewire on one end and USB on the other, and I don't think those will work, rather it needs to be an active adapter with a bridge chip circuit in it.

I saw this topic mentioning that, and it also mentioned S-Video. If it has S-Video that will be higher quality than the RCA jack output, but still not as good as keeping it digital.

https://us.community.sony.com/s/question/0D50B00004IKogvSAD/need-help-connecting-dcrtrv510-via-ilink-to-windows-7-laptop?language=en_US

How about a PC that you add a firewire card to if needed?

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2025

erwin1978

Golden Member

Jun 22, 2001

1,654

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• Mar 20, 2025

• #4

Maybe you can use this cable adapter. It's a firewire 400 to usb 2 cable. https://amzn.to/4bP3tLu

Or you can use this and connect via RCA or S-video https://amzn.to/4kF8XfK

 

mindless1

Diamond Member

Aug 11, 2001

8,583

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• Mar 21, 2025

• #5

^ That seemingly passive FW to USB cable is one that I saw not working in the link I posted.