I finally found a Sony Hdr-SR7 (kind of local Sony Style store - and paid full retail for it... ick) and have really been enjoying the camera. Installed Pinnacle Ultimate 11.1.1 and that seems to be going ok (lots to learn), but the included Sony software Picture Motion Browser 2.1.00 LOCKED UP my laptop like nothing I've ever seen. I couldn't even get it to start windows (had to go to safe mode and go back to the last working configuration).

It's an HP 9260, dual core, 2 gigs of ram, HD-DVD, and Vista Ultimate. I didn't notice the fine print on the cd that the software doesn't support 64 bit Vista and boy, it doesn't seem to. I've never had this issue before. If the software says it supports Vista, it has always worked, or if it doesn't, the warning is so prominent that you don't waste half a day trying to undo it!

I'm disappointed that it doesn't seem to work because it looks pretty slick and easy to use for those quick projects. Pinnacle seems a bit more involved, and I'll learn it.

Anyone else have this difficulty? Or a work around? The Sony help line wasn't much help, and initially told me that it should work for all versions of Vista until I read them the fine print.

Thanks!

Larry Becker

There are MANY incompatibilities with Vista 64-bit. While a few applications (like Pinnacle) work great with 64-bit Vista, a number of others either don't work or fail miserably. The Vista Ready logo program does not require software to work with all versions of Vista, which means knowing whether or not you bought a dud is something of a challenge. Making a gross generalization - I'm willing to say that there are many incompatibilities with video editing and Windows Vista period - anyone with a reliable video editing workflow for Windows XP is taking their sweet time upgrading to Vista because there's nothing about Vista that makes editing video easier.

sync2play,

Thanks for your response. I've been around computers long enough to know the hassles of operating system upgrades and software incompatibilities -- I am actually a surviver of DOS 1.0, and I remember Windows 3.1 as the best thing since sliced bread...

I had hoped to avoid some of the nonsense by getting a laptop with Vista installed in it from the start, rather than hassle getting driver updates and so on -- and for the most part that has worked ok. It was the best laptop I could get, and is my only dual core pc.

This is what annoys me about this whole thing. As far as I can tell, most of the higher end laptops and pcs that you'd want for video editing of high def AVCHD files would come with Vista Ultimate, and that's the very problem. Grrr... I think AVCHD and High Def video is a little beyond what current technology can deal with...

I DO have an Dell XPS XP Pro machine that's a 3.2 ghz Pentium 4 with 2 gigs of ram and a decent graphics card so I may try to do some editing on that pc. Given that the Sony software effectively bricked my laptop, I'm a little reluctant to try it with my main work pc. I'll be talking again to Sony today to see what they have to say about upgrades...

Larry Becker

Thought I would post that the installation went ok on my XP Pro desktop machine. I don't like having to use different machines for different functions. And now that I've installed Pinnacle 11 Ultimate on my laptop, I'm stuck working with files on two computers (I don't know if Pinnacle will install on both machines...).

I was worried that my desktop wouldn't handle the files since it's a single core machine. It seems ok. I have the files saved to an external 750gb Seagate drive with an eSATA interface -- seems pretty quick.

Larry Becker

You can avoid using two machines by skipping the Sony software altogether. Per these instructions on copying AVCHD files directly off the camcorder (http://www.jakeludington.com/avchd/20071029_editing_sony_avchd_files_in_pinnacle_studio.html), you can skip the software and then step right into editing in Pinnacle Studio (or whatever app you prefer).

You can avoid using two machines by skipping the Sony software altogether. Per these instructions on copying AVCHD files directly off the camcorder (http://www.jakeludington.com/avchd/20071029_editing_sony_avchd_files_in_pinnacle_studio.html), you can skip the software and then step right into editing in Pinnacle Studio (or whatever app you prefer).

Thanks for your response...

I've been playing with the Sony SR7 a bit and agree that it works well as just an external harddrive. In fact, that's the only way I could get the files off of the camera and onto my Vista Ultimate laptop.

Using the Sony software on my XP Pro machine is simpler and easier, and I still find it odd that they listed Vista as compatible with it but only in the fine print let you know that it wasn't for Vista Ultimate -- and especially since it nearly bricked my laptop.

Larry Becker

I've run into the same problem on the Sony HDR-SR11.
I have been able to trasfer the video files onto my HP Pavilion dv9700 but I cannot yet play them as the supplied (subject) program will not load on a 64bit OS.
It's a decent camcorder but since the files will not play on the computer I need to try to find a program that is not only compatable with the Sony but also with a 64bit OS with Vista Ultimate.
Playing the video on a TV is an option but I would certainly like to be able to play them on this laptop too.

I know this is an old thread but if anyone is still listening would you please confirm that Pinnacle is compatable with a 64bit OS and the Sony HDR SR11?

HDR-SR12 software working perfectly here with Vista 64 Ultimate. :)

Don't forget to use 8GB of RAM... it's making a night a day difference when playing with big HD video files... :D

Ecellent. So are you using some special video software like Pinnicle in order to view the video files?

I have been trying all of the built in viewing programs (such as Media) to view the .mts files and it just is not working.

It's pretty amazing that in August 2008, there's so much home software (eg. "Picture Motion Browser") that doesn't run under Vista 64bit. However, the Sony camcorders look so good, I want to be sure there's not an alternative way to get a good solution before I decide on purchasing a different brand.

If I understand, the ONLY incompatibility between the Sony High Def HDD cams (eg. HDRSR11) with Vista 64bit editions is with the Picture Motion Browser Software. Therfore, my questions are simple enough:

- Can I get a fully / convenient working solution for an HDRSR11 and Vista Ultimate 64 bit PC by not loading the PMB software at all, and instead purchasing another Software Pkg such as Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9.

- Will the latter enable movement of files between the cam and PC and provide the same functionality (and more) that the PMB software provides?

I'm new to video recording etc. so don't want an overly hard to use setup.

Just to update this post: right now as of Jan 2009 Sony's Picture Motion Browser (PMB) version 3.3.00 is now supported with the Windows Vista 64 bit OS.

I have a Sony SR-1 and I had to first install the PMB version 1.1 from the CD that came with my camcorder.

Version 1.1 is not compatible with Vista 64bit but it does install with some minor popup messages. I did not try to run it to test to see if it would work.

After 1.1 installed I went to the Sony support site and downloaded the PMB update to version 3.3.00 which IS compatible with Vista 64. The file is called SPU30_Upgrade0810a.exe.

However the 3.3.00 update will not install unless you have at least version 3.0.00 so I had to find that on the Sony support site and upgrade first from 1.1 to 3.0.05 and then from 3.0.05 to 3.3.00.

btw, I couldn't find the upgrade to 3.0.05 until I looked until the support files for 32bit Vista. The file is called SPU_Upgrade0805a.exe and will update any version of PMB prior to 3.0.05.

now 3.3.00 works great on Vista 64 bit.

The links I used were:

For 1.1 to 3.0.05:

esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=HDRSR1&upd_id=3529&os_id=27

For 3.0.05 to 3.3.00:

esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=HDRSR1&upd_id=4026&os_id=36

The links I used were:

For 1.1 to 3.0.05:

esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=HDRSR1&upd_id=3529&os_id=27

For 3.0.05 to 3.3.00:

esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=HDRSR1&upd_id=4026&os_id=36

Thanks for providing this information and the links to the files.

Sony's software download site says v3.3.00:
"Improves compatibility with other software, such as Windows® Movie Maker in Windows Vista® for files converted to WMV format." "Starter versions of Microsoft® Windows Vista® operating system are not supported."

I didn't catch anything about Vista 64 bit compatibility.

Sony's software download site says v3.3.00:
"Improves compatibility with other software, such as Windows® Movie Maker in Windows Vista® for files converted to WMV format." "Starter versions of Microsoft® Windows Vista® operating system are not supported."

I didn't catch anything about Vista 64 bit compatibility.

Definitely compatible with 64-bit Vista, per Sony here:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-matrix.pl?upd_id=4026

http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=http--esupportsonycom-perl-swu-downloadplupdid4026osid35templateid1regionid1SMBYESKSMFlag73 70&sliceId=&docTypeID=DT_SOFTWARE_DRIVERS_1_1&dialogID=23170178&stateId=0%200%2055041680


The biggest issue is the fact that it is an update only, requiring an early version (which, per Sony,is not compatible with 64-bit Vista). That is a potentially unstable and unsatisfactory solution, but I've read reports from more than one person who installed the earlier non-compatible version, and then without running it or rebooting it, installed the update, and everything apparently worked out fine.

Sounds good. I did the download. After buying a SR11 I've quickly realized my old computer isn't good enough. Guess I don't need to be so afraid of Vista 64.

Sounds good. I did the download. After buying a SR11 I've quickly realized my old computer isn't good enough. Guess I don't need to be so afraid of Vista 64.

Your story is quite familiar. I knew when I bought the SR11 last June that my computer wasn't up to the task of video editing. My plan was to just accumulate HD files and deal with them down the road once I decided to upgrade my computer.

Well, the motherboard on my trusty 7 year old Gateway finally gave up the ghost a couple of months ago, and the time had come to replace it. I wasn't happy to give up XP for Vista, but the writing was on the wall, and I figured this was as good a time as any.

Going with 64-bit Vista was a bit of a calculated risk, as it still doesn't enjoy widespread support (hardware or software), but it's worked out fairly well. I had to replace a scanner, but that was a cheap fix.

Regarding the video side of things, 64-bit Vista compatibility definitely has to be considered in choosing editing and burning options, but things are improving. What I would really like is to go with Sony Vegas Pro 8.1, which would give me everything I want functionally, as well as take advantage of 64-bit Vista, not simply tolerate it. But I'm reluctant to smack down $399, when I can probably get along with Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Pro Pack for less than a quarter of that.

So things should get better for 64-bit Vista as time goes on, but not fast enough!

BTW, if you do the 3.0.00 install followed by the 3.3.00 update, let us know how it goes.

Your story is quite familiar. I knew when I bought the SR11 last June that my computer wasn't up to the task of video editing. My plan was to just accumulate HD files and deal with them down the road once I decided to upgrade my computer.

Well, the motherboard on my trusty 7 year old Gateway finally gave up the ghost a couple of months ago, and the time had come to replace it. I wasn't happy to give up XP for Vista, but the writing was on the wall, and I figured this was as good a time as any.

Going with 64-bit Vista was a bit of a calculated risk, as it still doesn't enjoy widespread support (hardware or software), but it's worked out fairly well. I had to replace a scanner, but that was a cheap fix.

Regarding the video side of things, 64-bit Vista compatibility definitely has to be considered in choosing editing and burning options, but things are improving. What I would really like is to go with Sony Vegas Pro 8.1, which would give me everything I want functionally, as well as take advantage of 64-bit Vista, not simply tolerate it. But I'm reluctant to smack down $399, when I can probably get along with Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Pro Pack for less than a quarter of that.

So things should get better for 64-bit Vista as time goes on, but not fast enough!

BTW, if you do the 3.0.00 install followed by the 3.3.00 update, let us know how it goes.

I'm in the process of picking out a Vista computer. Leaning toward Costco's Dell XPS 435 MT.

Just to complete the follow-up, I was actually able to speak with someone at Sony, who confirmed the process for the upgrade for PMB 3.0.00 (not compatible with 64-bit Vista) to PMB 3.3.00 (which is compatible with 64-bit Vista).

Install PMB from the CD.
Do not restart the computer when asked, after the install is complete.
Immediately install the 3.3.00 update (available from Sony as a 300+ download).
You can then do the reboot.

This worked just fine, and I can run PMB without problem. In fact, I find it to be a handy little program.

I went to the support page for my cam (HDR-SR7) and it let me select the OS... 64 bit. There are 4 files for the PMB and I'm not sure I'll need all of them but I have just installed all of them to include a 64 bit update. The link for the downloads (for my SR7) can be found at: esupport.sony.com

If it bombs and I can get back here I'll let you know... otherwise it worked.

:) Good Luck!

According to this, PMB works with both Vista 32 bit & 64 bit versions (Link: 2333, p. 78 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14555193)).

My PMB runs perfectly under Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit. In fact, it is the only software (that I have found) to play my AVCHD/h.264 files without stutter or jagged interlacing edges. (And yes, I played around with various codecs such as CoreAVC.)

Sony has released a x64 for compatibility installer (x64PMBInstaller.exe can be found at sony support) that allows to basically install the really older versions of PMB on a vista x64. It extracts the original setup (on the disc included with camcorder) and modifies the setup process to successfully install on x64 vista.

This turns out to be the best way since not only it doesn't install the killer driver "pxhelp20.sys" (which was the reason that the system could not boot after restarts) it looks like it also doesn't install a bunch of other drivers and components that are not compatible with the x64 OS. Looks like a much cleaner install.

Then go on installing the other 2 upgrades from Sony and do not fear about failed boots even if you restart after each setup.