Unable to capture using new camcorder (VS9)

seandirector2 · Post by **seandirector2** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 2:41 pm

Just a week ago I bought a new DV Camcorder and this morning I was trying to upload some footage from it. First I installed the USB driver according to the instructions in the manual. That went well; no problem there. But after I restarted the computer and tried to capture the footage, there was no image in the preview graph. Any suggestions?

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:12 pm

Most DV camcorders require firewire for video capture. Please post camcorder make and model.

Computer specs? Please fill out forum profile.

Read recommended procedure for editing with Video Studio here: http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=27

seandirector2 · Post by **seandirector2** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:37 pm

My camcorder is the Panasonic PV-GS59 model, and it makes absolutely no mention of Firewire in the manual, does not come with a Firewire cable, and doesn't have a Firewire port - so I'm pretty sure I should be using the USB cable.

As for the computer specs, I can't confess to know much about computers, and I don't know all this information on hand. Is there somewhere on my computer where I can find all this info, so I can put it in my profile?

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:34 pm

BrianCee · Post by **BrianCee** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:11 pm

seandirector2

In version 9 look up towards the top left corner of your screen and you will see the word 'Tools' - click on that and select - "Change Capture Plug-in" - try selecting "Ulead DSW MPEG Capture Plug-in"

But you may find that you may only be able to capture using USB using the Panasonic MotionDV Studio software that may have been supplied on disc with your camera.

The fact that your camcorder did not come with a firewire cable is just a standard fact of life - although firewire remains the only sensible way of transferring video - no camcorder manufacturer supplies a firewire cable - but the fact that you do not appear to have a firewire port is a very good clue to the fact that you need to use USB.

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:13 pm

Your camcorder has a firewire connection (as well as USB2), according to http://www.camcorderinfo.com/specs/Pana ... V-GS59.htm

It is a standard mini DV camcorder, AFAIK, and so if you want to capture with Video Studio, I think that you have to use the firewire connection. Read your manual carefully to see if it specifically mentions using USB2 port for video capture. Firewire is also known as IEEE 1394.

Edit: Brian, the spec sheet says the GS59 comes with Motion DV Studio, which may be able to capture video through USB2 port.

BrianCee · Post by **BrianCee** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:23 pm

According to the user manual for the PV-GS59 I have just viewed the firewire port is located right next to the USB port - firewire is your best option.

seandirector2 · Post by **seandirector2** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:33 pm

BrianCee wrote:But you may find that you may only be able to capture using USB using the Panasonic MotionDV Studio software that may have been supplied on disc with your camera.

That's what I feared. After I capture onto the MotionDV Studio, I wonder if there is a way to then transfer the footage onto VideoStudio?

seandirector2 · Post by **seandirector2** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:43 pm

BrianCee wrote:According to the user manual for the PV-GS59 I have just viewed the firewire port is located right next to the USB port - firewire is your best option.

Thanks. I guess I will have to get a firewire cable. I noticed I do have a "1394" point on my computer, so I suppose it's do-able.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:27 pm

Not only is it do-able, it is essential if you want high quality video from your camera. Of course you will also need to check that your computer has a firewire port! If not, you will need to have a Firewire card installed. But these days they are cheap and usually come with the necessary cable. I have just had to install one and it cost me A$20 (US$15), which will not break any bank...

Otherwise, the USB connection appears to be a possibility as your camera has the high speed USB 2.0 connection. However, I suspect, as others have suggested, that you may be limited to MotionDV for capturing that. Be aware that Panasonic installs its own range of codecs, including a DV one I believe. However, I am not sure how these might interact with others installed by other programs.

seandirector2 · Post by **seandirector2** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 10:36 pm

Turns out there was no Firewire port on my computer; just a big empty gap where it was supposed to be. So I resorted to capturing using MotionDV Studio, then importing that file to VideoStudio and editing from there. Thanks for all your help though. Some day I should really get that Firewire card and cable...