I have a SonyDCR-DVD201 Handycam, which records directly to 80 mm DVD discs and transfers to computer via a USB 2 connection. Does anyone know if VS 9 allows direct file capture from this camera?
I've tried this unsuccessfully with the trial VS 9 version, but this version also doesn't include the AC-3 audio needed for Dolby, so I'm not sure how else it's been crippled. Also, the Device Manager doesn't show the Video device USB connection, even though the Sony capture software is able to transfer the video and audio files to the computer. I'd really like to avoid the Sony software that comes with the camera, because it's petty cludgy.
Ulead support assures me that VS 9 can do the capture from this camera, but I'm not so sure we're reading from the same page in our communications - does anyone have experience with this?
Thanks ....
George Mather
VS9 Capture from Sony DCR-DVD201 Handycam
Moderator: Ken Berry
Import from DVD?
Instead of transferring via USB, can you import from DVD?
Finalize the disc in your camcorder, and then import it directly (no re-encoding).
You might still have the AC3 issue if you are dealing with the TRIAL, the full version supports AC3 audio (at least so far on my machine)
Finalize the disc in your camcorder, and then import it directly (no re-encoding).
You might still have the AC3 issue if you are dealing with the TRIAL, the full version supports AC3 audio (at least so far on my machine)
George
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GeorgeMather
Yes, I can import directly from DVD by finalizing the disc and inserting the disc into my computer drive, but this is sort of a pain if I want to transfer a clip or two from a partially recorded disc. I have to finalize the disc, remove it from the camera, etc., then place it again in the camera and unfinalize it for further recording. Of course, I must use a DVD-RW to do this - DVD-R's are not reversible in this way. A direct capture would avoid this, but the program has to recognize the recording format (I forget the designation, but it's not the standard MPEG). When I tried it with the trial version of VS 9, the program didn't even recognize the camera (but the Sony software did, so it wasn't a hookup problem).
It sounds like you have a DVD camera - can you capture directly?
It's good to know that you have the AC-3 audio functioning - at least this is a data point and not just a promise!
It sounds like you have a DVD camera - can you capture directly?
It's good to know that you have the AC-3 audio functioning - at least this is a data point and not just a promise!
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lancecarr
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GeorgeMather
I'll give it a try using the trial VS 9 version.
I'm trying to get all this sorted out before buying the upgrade to VS 9. My experience with new software versions is very mixed, and it's not uncommon to find that I've taken one step forward and 2 steps backward. VS 9 will be an advantage if it includes AC-3 (which I had to buy separately for VS-8), and if it allows me to capture directly (which VS 8 doesn't do). Without these improvements, I see no reason to upgrade.
I'm trying to get all this sorted out before buying the upgrade to VS 9. My experience with new software versions is very mixed, and it's not uncommon to find that I've taken one step forward and 2 steps backward. VS 9 will be an advantage if it includes AC-3 (which I had to buy separately for VS-8), and if it allows me to capture directly (which VS 8 doesn't do). Without these improvements, I see no reason to upgrade.
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MikeGunter
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GeorgeMather
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lancecarr
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George, I doubt whether you are going to find software that will allow you to import from an unfinalised DVD in any form. To start with you are not "capturing" all you are doing is transferring MPEG files from the DVD in the cam across to your computer. Unfortunately the way they are written requires that you finalise then import. VR mode uses a different way of writing the files so they can be imported without finalising. It's not really a problem with the software itself, it's just the way DVD data is written. On the other hand I tried various editing softwares and am totally happy with VS8. For the price I think it is a good deal and considering it is not specifically designed to edit MPEGs it does a great job.
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maddrummer3301
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Hi,
I'm curious about the USB connection.
If you plug the camcorder into the USB port and open up
"My Computer" can you see the camcorder as an extra Drive Letter?
Same as a digial camera?
If so, you should be able to run VS and from the timeline
select "Import Dvd-R / Dvd-VR".
Then naviagate to that drive letter, click on it, select title/scenes etc
and import the mpg2 videos.
Did you try that instead of going to the capture screen?
MD
I'm curious about the USB connection.
If you plug the camcorder into the USB port and open up
"My Computer" can you see the camcorder as an extra Drive Letter?
Same as a digial camera?
If so, you should be able to run VS and from the timeline
select "Import Dvd-R / Dvd-VR".
Then naviagate to that drive letter, click on it, select title/scenes etc
and import the mpg2 videos.
Did you try that instead of going to the capture screen?
MD
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maddrummer3301
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lancecarr,
It's something that you mention that because I've found that depends on
the version of dvd-rw being used and also the reader being used.
If I record on a Sony unit onto a dvd-rw in -vr mode and without
finializing the disk put it into a "Panasonic Multi-format" dvd playback
carosel unit that I own it plays with no problem. Never have to finalize
a dvd-rw to view it on the panasonic unit.
Computer:
If I put the disk into a dvd reader it cannot read the disk, usually have
to finalize the disk.
If I put the disk into a dvd burner reader/writer it will read the disk from
within a software program and extract the contents. Windows explorer
can't always read the directory structure.
BUT, after putting the dvd-rw into a writer and watching or extracting
the movie upon "Ejecting" the disk then "Nero InCD" pops up and
says somethhing about doing whatever to the dvd.
Oops, to late to stop that unless I terminate "InCD" from taskmanager
before I eject the disk.
After InCD finishs with the dvd it's useless and must be reformatted in
the dvd recorder.
So, the best thing to do is like George states and finalize the dvd.
Otherwise you can lose the contents on the dvd if it's not protected
and finalized, of course that depends on the packet writing software
on the computer that takes hold of the dvd.
MD
It's something that you mention that because I've found that depends on
the version of dvd-rw being used and also the reader being used.
If I record on a Sony unit onto a dvd-rw in -vr mode and without
finializing the disk put it into a "Panasonic Multi-format" dvd playback
carosel unit that I own it plays with no problem. Never have to finalize
a dvd-rw to view it on the panasonic unit.
Computer:
If I put the disk into a dvd reader it cannot read the disk, usually have
to finalize the disk.
If I put the disk into a dvd burner reader/writer it will read the disk from
within a software program and extract the contents. Windows explorer
can't always read the directory structure.
BUT, after putting the dvd-rw into a writer and watching or extracting
the movie upon "Ejecting" the disk then "Nero InCD" pops up and
says somethhing about doing whatever to the dvd.
Oops, to late to stop that unless I terminate "InCD" from taskmanager
before I eject the disk.
After InCD finishs with the dvd it's useless and must be reformatted in
the dvd recorder.
So, the best thing to do is like George states and finalize the dvd.
Otherwise you can lose the contents on the dvd if it's not protected
and finalized, of course that depends on the packet writing software
on the computer that takes hold of the dvd.
MD
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MikeGunter
Hi George,GeorgeMather wrote:Hi, Mike -
Can you give me some specifics? I've mentioned some things that will be important to me, if I can get them locked down ...
George
I'll echo Lance's comments, too. The disc cameras tend to assume that you'll remove a disc to get content off it. You might just invest in a few RWs as your solution to getting *pieces*.
Keeping apples with apples VS9 allows great pan and scan, very tolerant of CODECs, a great titler, excellent timeline to disc capabilities, automatic sound - Smart Sound sells a product for $50 that is included in VS9 to use Smart Tracks - I have many discs all of which and be utilized by VS9, a good audio mixer for the audio tracks, decent plugin architecture - I have dozens of transitions and video filters residing in VS9 to include Boris FX7, and much more.
DVers will like the quick scan to setup capture lists, everyone will enjoy distortion, Flash import, and overlay support - you can put a logo or "bug" in the video using the overlay track and a PNG file.
AC3 audio for DVD authoring is a big step, too.
Mike
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GeorgeMather
Lance and Mike -
The ImageMixer software that comes with the SonyDCR-DVD201 allows me to transfer clips via the USB connection even when the disc isn't finalized. I generally use the Video mode, so I haven't even tried this with the VR mode (which the manual says enables images to be edited using the camera itself - a rather Draconian prospect, in my opinion).
In any event, it seems to me that if the images and clips can be transferred using ImageMixer, then the same capability is at least feasible with other software (including VS 9, I have been hoping).
But, I probably already have my answer in everyone's reaction: VS 9 is not likely to give me the same capability for image transfer as ImageMixer, so I'll probably have to continue using this otherwise cludgy software package. Rather inelegant, but usable, I guess.
Anyone have any different ideas about VS 9?
The ImageMixer software that comes with the SonyDCR-DVD201 allows me to transfer clips via the USB connection even when the disc isn't finalized. I generally use the Video mode, so I haven't even tried this with the VR mode (which the manual says enables images to be edited using the camera itself - a rather Draconian prospect, in my opinion).
In any event, it seems to me that if the images and clips can be transferred using ImageMixer, then the same capability is at least feasible with other software (including VS 9, I have been hoping).
But, I probably already have my answer in everyone's reaction: VS 9 is not likely to give me the same capability for image transfer as ImageMixer, so I'll probably have to continue using this otherwise cludgy software package. Rather inelegant, but usable, I guess.
Anyone have any different ideas about VS 9?
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lancecarr
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George, Now that you mention it I remember when I first bought the cam and was using Image Mixer, ah what green young pup I was back then, (about 9 months ago) that it would transfer the files from the cam without finalising. Like I said earlier, Sony products are a tad antisocial when it comes to sharing! The reason it can do it is probably because of the relationship between the company making Image Mixer and Sony. Now of course another software company could reverse engineer that software and find out exactly how it is managing to keep you locked into that relationship quite easily BUT it's probably not worth their time. I personally pulled the plug on Image Mixer quite early but one thing I did as an interim step was to leave the Image Mixer software on my computer and use it ONLY to tansfer the MPEGs off the cam. I would then physically move the files to the Ulead folder and start working with VS8. The reason I ditched Image Mixer is because it is very limited in what it can do, does it badly, is not very intuitive and as buggy as all get out. So for the zero dollar price you paid it's a good deal! To get rid of it and keep the ability to transfer "pieces" switch to -RW media and use VR mode.
Now as far as VS8 goes I am very happy with it and as soon as the dust setles on VS9 I will upgrade.
Now as far as VS8 goes I am very happy with it and as soon as the dust setles on VS9 I will upgrade.
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GeorgeMather
Lance -
I guess your conclusions are pretty much the same as mine re ImageMixer, so what I've been doing is recording in Video mode, finalizing the disc, porting the disc to a computer DVD drive, and using VS 8 to import the MPEG file.
One of the reasons I haven't been using VR mode is the limited compatibility with standard DVD players, as a result of which I've never been sure that I can simply put the finalized disc in a DVD drive (but I've never tried it, so maybe my worries are ungrounded). What are the advantages of VR over Video mode (other than not being able to edit using the camera, which isn't a problem for me)?
I know Sony doesn't share (but they often lose the marketing race, too), so I'll probably have to give up on a direct transfer to VS 8 or VS 9.
Thanks for your help and comments!
George
I guess your conclusions are pretty much the same as mine re ImageMixer, so what I've been doing is recording in Video mode, finalizing the disc, porting the disc to a computer DVD drive, and using VS 8 to import the MPEG file.
One of the reasons I haven't been using VR mode is the limited compatibility with standard DVD players, as a result of which I've never been sure that I can simply put the finalized disc in a DVD drive (but I've never tried it, so maybe my worries are ungrounded). What are the advantages of VR over Video mode (other than not being able to edit using the camera, which isn't a problem for me)?
I know Sony doesn't share (but they often lose the marketing race, too), so I'll probably have to give up on a direct transfer to VS 8 or VS 9.
Thanks for your help and comments!
George
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lancecarr
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Just as a final note on this and to answer your questions regarding VR. I believe that if you switch to VR you will lose out dramatically on the compatability stakes. You may find that a lot of standalone DVD players do not handle it. I don't use it myself. I use -Rs until they are full, finalise and then import into VS8 just like you are doing now.
I don't use my cam in such a way that I would want to put a mini disc of shots into the DVD player. When you look at movies or pro videos you will see that none of them use shots much longer than 10 to 15 seconds at the most. Once I got into VS8 I started shooting nothing but 5, 10, 15 second shots and then I recreate the story of what I shot using the editing software. As cute as it may seem at the time, watching my kid fool around in the water at the beach on a video can become mind numbingly boring if it is just one continuous 20 minute shot!
Before you decide on all of this work out what you want to actually produce with the cam, the discs and the editing software and then leave a little room for expansion.
I don't use my cam in such a way that I would want to put a mini disc of shots into the DVD player. When you look at movies or pro videos you will see that none of them use shots much longer than 10 to 15 seconds at the most. Once I got into VS8 I started shooting nothing but 5, 10, 15 second shots and then I recreate the story of what I shot using the editing software. As cute as it may seem at the time, watching my kid fool around in the water at the beach on a video can become mind numbingly boring if it is just one continuous 20 minute shot!
Before you decide on all of this work out what you want to actually produce with the cam, the discs and the editing software and then leave a little room for expansion.