Capture from DV Camcorder makes system restart

bluescreen100 · Post by **bluescreen100** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:58 pm

Hi.
I have a Samsung SC-D363 DV Camcorder.
I have VStudio 7 that came bundled but downloaded your new version 11 to have the new features.

In both vers., I can start the software and select capture. Everything ok.
Then, I select the camcorder which is connected via USB cable.
Vid from the cam comes up in the window for a few seconds, then the system restarts.
I don't get any errors.. it just restarts.

I can't figure it out.

Is Vid Studio not compatible w/ this camcorder?

Thanks,

Bluescreen.

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:08 pm

Welcome to the forums,

No, No, No, never, when you have a DV camcorder you should have a firewire port (IEE-1394, what Sony calls i-Link). Always capture, or rather transfer your video in DV (digital video) format via the Firewire

It is simply ludicrous for these camcorder manufacturers to provide a USB cable with the camcorder but not a Firewire cable. They are fully aware of the proper way to transfer data to your PC. In fact I'd wager that the manual even says to use Firewire, or in Sony's case the i-Link.

With VS11+, there is only one capture device/plug-in and that is the IVI (one of Intervideo's fine creations (ha). So you can't change that. With VS7 it should have the ability to use the DSW (DirectShow for Windows) capture plug-in. Which is far better. However you should be able to capture fine using VS11, and Firewire.

USB is fine for transferring digital still images (photos), but that's it. When you have the ability to use Firewire to transfer video, it is far better. You will get the best quality video to work with.

I just checked your camcorder's specs, and it does have a Firewire port..

bluescreen100 · Post by **bluescreen100** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:15 pm

Ok, do i need to get a ilink cable or can i just go to the store and get a firewire cable.. is the connector proprietary?
Also, this explains why my system restarts?

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:53 pm

Firewire and i-Link are the same thing. Yes I would purchase one. However check your PC to see if it has a Firewire port. You can do this by looking at the ports on the outside of your PC, or even by opening Device Manager (Right-click on your desktop's My Computer icon, select, Manage, then in the left pane select Device Manager). In Device Manager you should see IEE-1394 Bus Host Controller.

If you don't have a Firewire port on your PC, just pick-up a Firewire PCI card to put in your PC. I don't know where you live, but they are real cheap.

Proprietary, well yes it is. It's purpose is to connect external devices that use the IEEE-1394 technology for data transfer. As far as just for your camcorder, No it's not. Firewire is also used with some of the external hard drive enclosures. Some external hard drives come with just USB, while others have both USB and Firewire.

Now for the cable, you will need a 4 pin to 6 pin cable. The smaller 4-pin end fits into the camcorder, while the larger 6-pin end fits into the port on your PC. Check your camcorder's user manual to be sure. Remember Sony calls this i-Link.

The USB could very well be causing the crash. Without a long drawn out explanation on Firewire vs USB, USB just can not handle large constant data streams as well as Firewire. If you have any other USB devices connected to your PC, then any one of them can jump up and try to take the bus that your camcorder is trying to use, to do their thing. Most all mouse pointers use USB, and keyboards, and others. USB can not dictate what gets priority, Firewire can and does.

2Dogs · Post by **2Dogs** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:57 pm

It's amazing that VS7 (probably SE basic!) is still being bundled with current products! At least it served its purpose and seems to have drawn you in....

I actually got my (one and only) Firewire cable with a cardbus firewire adapter, which came bundled with VS7SE...about four years ago now. I think I paid about $10, which was cheaper than buying just a Firewire cable from my local big box store.

Like Ron, I feel it is outrageous that manufacturers will have you cough up hundreds of dollars for a camcorder without supplying a decent Firewire cable with it.

bluescreen100 · Post by **bluescreen100** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:26 pm

I'll try the firewire cable.
Heres something strange. I installed the software on my laptop.. running XP Pro, and the cam works fine.. with the usb cable.

So, now i have no idea what is going on with the desktop. Its brand new.

Now i'm just frustrated. Maybe i'll try reinstalling windows.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:50 pm

Maybe the laptop has a USB2 port, which is much faster than USB and can handle video transfers.

I think I'd give the firewire a try before I went thru the hassle of reinstalling windows.