Transferring footage from Sony handycam to Laptop?

[punee]

Hello all. I have a Sony digital 8 handycam that runs on tape. How do I transfer that footage to my Lenovo laptop that runs on Window's 7? The handycam has a DV port and a USB port but when I connected it to a USB port, my lappy doesn't seem to recognize it?

 

[Zensteve]

The USB connection allows you access to the memory stick, if you've been taking stills with it. You cannot capture video with that connection.

You'll need to connect via FireWire to capture the video. Depending on model, you might have Component Out, as well. Which model is it?

 

[Danielassault]

If this is going to be your first time connecting firewire, make sure you connect it when your camera is turned off. Otherwise you might ruin your firewire connection.