This is with regard to using the Sony HDR-CX100 Handycam [that I was misadvised to buy by a Sony Sales Staffer]. I was told by a sales staff supervisor on Tuesday, 12/03, that he would call with a solution on or before Thursday, 12/05. Well, today is Sunday, 12/06, and I have heard no more. I’m really disappointed with Sony and have NO plans to buy other products from them.

In the meantime, I have been reviewing my options to use the CX100, return it and get a different camera, or find some way to make it work. I like the camera. I have focused on the latter [with my fingers crossed]. Yesterday, I found a possible way…

It is to use WebCamDV from OrangeWare [a $20 utility], providing the camera has a FireWire [received mine yesterday] connection with the PC [found it on the Internet]. They claim that…

If you own a DV camcorder, or are about to buy one, wouldn’t it be cool if you could use all its features by making it the world’s best web cam? WebCamDV™ is a utility which runs in conjunction with your webcam software application. It lets your digital video camera with all its expensive features, act like a webcam! Imagine, a webcam with 600X zoom, auto focus, stereo sound, auto stabilizing, night vision, high quality optics, and more, depending on your camcorder.

Guess what? WebCamDV does not run on a Windows 7 computer—no solutions found on the Internet. Of course, I installed it using the XP compatibility feature and set the software to run as Administrator—didn’t work for me. Now, downgrade my computer to Windows XP [it would have to be Pro for the remote desktop] or find another way. I did…

There is a free XP Mode Utility from Microsoft; but, it will only run on a W7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate computer. Well, I plan to upgrade the SCEPTER Laptop to W7 Professional anyway. Why not now?

Here we go:

• Buy Windows 7 Home Premium to Professional WAU [Windows Anytime Upgrade] online—done, installed—uneventful [5-10 minutes max].
• Download and install the XP Mode Utility—done—uneventful [about 10 minutes].

Windows XP Mode runs in a separate window on the Windows 7 desktop, much like a program, except it’s a fully functional version of Windows XP. In Windows XP Mode, you can access your physical computer’s CD/DVD drive, install programs, save files, and perform other tasks as if you were using a computer running Windows XP.

• Download and install Windows Virtual PC—done—uneventful [about 5 minutes].
• Reboot [another 5 minutes of so for the downloads to be configured]
• Run Windows Virtual PC
• Run XP Mode Window—oops [Virtualization Technology must be turned on in the BIOS.] Actually, they ask you to verify your computer has this feature. Fortunately, mine does. It would have been nice to have been further up in the instructions. Virtualization Technology is on.
• Reboot
• Now, run Windows Virtual PC
• Run XP Mode [this installs the XP Mode (which looks like Windows XP being installed on the PC]—Installed—uneventful!
• Install The WebCamDV Application
• Run the app
• Does it install and run? [YES! I recognized the laptop internal webcam, which means the app works.]
• Does it work with the Sony HDR-Cx100 Handycam? [Not yet, there seems to be a drive issue. I have 3 “other” devices. Now to find drivers…]