USB ports

[mike12]

I am running Windows XP Pro. on a Pentium 4 computer that has 2 USB ports on the back. Last year I purchased a Sony Digital Camcorder Model DCR-TRV730. I installed the drivers for the Camcorder and also software called MGI Photosuite 8.1 for editing etc. I am using the USB port #1 for this Camcorder and it works ok. I also have a Lexmark printer that is attached to the second USB port. I have just purchased a Sony Digital Camera model #DSC-P71. It also has a USB connection. I have installed the drivers for this Camera along with a software program called PIXELA IMAGE MIXER ver. 1.0 for Sony. My question is---how do I connect this camera to the computer ? Must I remove the Printer cable from USB port #2 and attach it there ? Can I just use the same cable on USB port #1 that is for the Camcorder ? Since both the Camcorder and Camera are from Sony, the USB cable is identical. Hopefully I can just use the same cable, and Windows will know whether I have the Camcorder or Camera attached.
Many thanks, Mike

[not important]

Both ports should work. You might considering purchasing a USB expansion hub.

[glc]

You have 1 of 4 options:

1. Get a powered USB hub.
2. Put a USB card into the computer - if you do this, might as well get a USB 2.0 card.
3. Look on the motherboard for a USB expansion header, if it has one, get the adapter cable and plate that goes into an expansion slot on the back.
4. Change the printer over to the parallel port if it's capable. My feeling here is if you have a parallel port and a printer that's parallel capable, you might as well use it, there's no performance difference.

This all said, if the cable is indeed identical for the DV and the still camera, you can just use it interchangeably, Windows will know what's hooked up.

[mike12]

Thanks not important and glc, I will just use the one cable for both the camcorder and camera. As long as Windows will recognize what is plugged in, I should not have a problem.

[morriswindgate]

I would suggest that you get a powered hub, they are less than 20 bucks and will enable you to have four ports on your desktop instead of having to go to the back of the tower. Additionally, alot of USB devices work better on the powered hubs.