sony digital camcorder

A question about : sony digital camcorder

Having mega installation problems.......anyone around who can offer any advice?
The camcorder came with an disk which has loaded fine but the camcorder doesnt seem to be recognised by the pc (Its not showing anywhere although the editing program is)? When i connect the cam to the pc there is no way of transfering data from the cam to the pc .... even though the picture/video editing software opens. Taking it back to the shop tomorow If anyone has got any words of wisdom I'd love to hear them !
Its a sony handycam DCR-HC18E PAL

Best answers:

• If you need some technical help the customer information centre helpline is 08705111999.
  Might be worth a call tomorrow, they should be able to advise.
• Thankyou. Im gonna pay a visit to the store tomorow to see what they advise......its just sooo frustrating :-/ when Ive sat here for hours trying to install it. Its as if the pc doesnt even know the camera exists, theres no option to transfer any data at all. The USB stream is working to edit the file but once the playback is complete and the settings made I cant access the file?????? Im all > now !
• Not familiar with the particular camera but if you are trying to copy digital video to your pc you need a firewire cable and also a firewire card in your pc and use the iLink connection on the camera (camera probably has to be in playback mode). A quick look on Amazon indicates the camera (like most other DV cameras) is not supplied with a cable according to at least one user review, although the product description says iLink (firewire) and USB cables supplied.
  The USB connection is for transferring still pictures, emovies (low res video) and web streaming I think. Pictures and emovies are probably stored on memory stick I think so I guess you put the camera into some particular mode to get access to this data via the pc.
  Hope this helps.
  What operating system do you have on the pc by the way?