Problem with capturing video from a Samsung d365

yellownola · Post by **yellownola** » Fri May 26, 2006 4:56 am

I get the error message: Either no capture driver is installed in this system or no device is connected

But I installed the driver and I'm connected. Anyone have any ideas what this could be?

Thanks for all your help

Post by **Ken Berry** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:02 am

How are you connecting the camera to the computer? Via USB or Firewire?

I see that your camera has an up to date high speed USB 2.0 connection and can also film in mpeg-4 format. However, I think this USB 2.0 is only meant for transferring still photos taken by your video camera or else converting your camera into a sort of web camera for the transfer of relatively low quality streaming video.

The problem is that camera manufacturers always seem to include a USB cable with the camera, thus giving the user the idea that they should use that cable for everything. But the reality is that if your camera is a mini DV model, then the best -- and for all intents and purposes, ONLY -- way of transferring *high quality* video to your computer is via Firewire (which may also be called i-Link, particularly with Sony and Samsung cameras). Basically, Firewire was developed as a (relatively) problem free means of transferring video to a computer at very high speeds. This is necessary since, as you will have realised, video creates very large files and the transfer rate to get them to your computer needs to be high enough for it to flow to your computer flawlessly and without it backing up because the connection can't handle the speed.

The problem is, though, that no camera manufacturer of which I am aware ever includes a Firewire cable. Needless to say, your computer will also need to have a Firewire port into which you can plug the connecting cable. You will need to check whether it does or not. The port looks quite different from a USB port and on the computer would normally be about half an inch long and nearly one eighth of an inch wide, but tapering almost to a point at one end. The Firewire symbol would normally be beside it and it looks like a Y with a small circle where the three arms meet.

But if you don't have one at the moment, the good news is that you can buy a Firewire card pretty cheaply these days (here in Australia they cost only around US$25 -- though you may have to pay to have it installed if you don't feel confident enough to do it yourself). They also usually come with a Firewire cable. Getting the right cable, though, is important, since the Firewire connection on your camera will normally be a small 4-pin one (a bit smaller and slightly different shape to the mini-USB connection). The Firewire connection on the computer, on the other hand, will normally be the larger 6 pin variety. So make sure you ask for a 4 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable.

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:28 am

Hi Yellownola, and welcome to the forums..

You might be interested in this tutorial. It goes through a step-by-step process From Camcorder to DVD, including adding a firewire pc card, and using the firewire cable.

http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13421

Ron P.

yellownola · Post by **yellownola** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:23 am

Thanks for the replies

I installed the software on my wife's laptop and the computer can connect with the camcorder and I can upload the videos (using a USB). So, any ideas why it won't work on my computer? When we use the hardware wizard, her computer installs the video capture driver, but on mine it just installs the usb audio.

Thanks for your help

Post by **Ron P.** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:28 am

Hi,

The USB cable even though manufacturers include it with camcorders, it is not intended for transfering high quality video. You can use the USB however your video will be very low quality. You will be very disappointed in the quality on a DVD.

What you should be using is a Firewire, called iLink by Sony, to transfer your video. Of course you need a firewire port on your computer. Firewire cables and if needed a Firewire PC card are not expensive. They are worth it if you are going to be transfering and editing video.

Ron P.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:31 am

Please view:
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13421

joosuna · Post by **joosuna** » Sun May 28, 2006 2:16 pm

Nola, one question. Does your camcorder have a fire fire port or I link port ?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun May 28, 2006 9:39 pm

That model is a mini DV and so has a Firewire port. And as I already said, it also has a USB 2.0 connection for streaming video.

joosuna · Post by **joosuna** » Sun May 28, 2006 11:59 pm

Ken, perhaps he has not found it ?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon May 29, 2006 12:39 am

That was the purpose of my detailed response (second one from the start, above) -- to make him look for it, and to ensure he had a Firewire card on his computer as well.

joosuna · Post by **joosuna** » Mon May 29, 2006 3:25 am

did he respond, that he found it ?

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Mon May 29, 2006 4:33 am

or....
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=13421

joosuna · Post by **joosuna** » Mon May 29, 2006 4:02 pm

Berry and 1805, both you guys are good ! Now...we wait with baited breath to see, if he found ( by opening up the plastic cover, which covered it up ) the firewire port ?