Topic: dv camcorder via firewire

[daveeb]

at this festive time of year i decided to copy some camcorder footage of the kids to HD. i hardly ever do this direct from athe camcorder as i've had loads of problems getting it to work and sure enough it didnt work this time. i have two basic dv editing programs, windows movie maker and a freebie off a cd called dv studio.

neither of these programs can "see" the camcorder.

the annoying thing is that it has worked in the past but very infrequently. i've tried changing the pci slot that the firewire card is in but the same result.

no conflicts are reported with the card.
support non compliant (ohci) devices is ticked.
the camcorder is set to vcr mode.

i'm starting to think i've just got either a faulty firewire card or the output on the camcorder is dodgy.

is there any way i could check that the firewire card is working correctly.

to be honest i'm not terribly bothered about this problem as i have alternative means to get my footage on disc, but i just find it annoying when things dont work.

 

[Sandra]

Sorry Dave,I cant help you with this one ( and I thought I was on a roll this week   )
Its not possibly a dodgy connecting lead is it,especially as its been intermittant previously?

[daveeb]

good idea sandra but i've already tried replacing the lead. i suspect it may be a dicky card. methinks the IT budget wont get past mrs B's credit control check for any more hardware this year so i'll have to live with it.
 

[Camstop]

hi daveeb

i use pinnacle studio dv clip from here.

i did have to upgrade from win98 to 98se for it to work but it is a great program.

i don't know if you have dv in/out on your camcorder or not but that is worth having as you can upload your edited dv clips then play them on your tv or put them on video tape.

if you haven't i think you can get the adapters on ebay. O0

sorry if trying to teach gran how to suck eggs  :-[

[daveeb]

hi camstop, i'd considered getting the firmware to upgrade my camcorder (panny nvds 27) to import as well as export, but didnt bother in the end as its not a function i really use.
as things are now i cant export anyway.
luckily i've got a standalone vcd/svcd recorder so i can get all my footage onto cd albeit not in digital quality as foolishley i didnt get the firewire option when i bought it.
hope to get a dvd recorder next year and maybe dvd burner as well so i shouldnt need the firewire at all.
 

[Sandra]

hope to get a dvd recorder next year and maybe dvd burner as well so i shouldnt need the firewire at all.
 

I didnt realise we had rich people on here what with DVD writers and 120 gig hard drives  

Maybe we should move to a super expensive host Adept and ask Dave to fund it  

[daveeb]

i also "hope" to win the lottery and that mrsB decides she wants a danish au pair.