Maybe someone here with better internet search skills can help me find some free software that would allow me to connect my Sony Camcorder to the firewire input on my computer for the purposes of using it as a webcam. On my last computer there was a way to use it through the video capture card but it required people to do things on the other end to view it. Searching brings up some relatively cheap programs that do the trick but this is one of those things that just doesn't seem like you should have to pay for to do.

Well here's an explanation as to why it is generally not so simple to do if you didn't already know.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/tweleve_questions_three.htm

Here's a Chris Pirillo article that covers three pieces of software you could use, unfortunately none of which are free, I've yet to find one that is free.

http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/05/30/how-to-use-a-camcorder-as-a-webcam/

DVDriver's free trial allows you to use the software, but after 5 minutes it drops, so if you don't plan to use the camera for more than 5 minutes at a time you could use that. There is a trial version that's a beta, and no limitations are listed, but I would assume that the same limitation is inherited, but I could be wrong.

If I come across any free software I will post it here.