Sony Camcorder not recognised over firewire

[Black Lab]

That's interesting. I thought I had read somewhere that with some cams you can ONLY capture when it on the power supply, and NOT on battery power.

At least you figured it out.

[Ken Berry]

Certainly that is "received knowledge" about capturing via Firewire, and something I always followed for years (being addicted to DV-type cameras).

But when I bought my Canon HV-20 HDV camera, I found that the battery that came with it was good for 5 hrs work (not using the preview screen but the viewfinder). And I then bought a back-up battery which is good for 8 hours. And when I could not lay my hands immediately on the adapter one time when I wanted to capture, I ignored the received wisdom and captured from the camera using its battery, and had no problems.

So now, more often than not, I do it that way -- not because it doesn't work perfectly with the adapter (it does, and using WinDV). It's just that it is that much less hassle to simply turn the camera on without first having to find an empty plug space on my perpetually crowded power board!!

[sjj1805]

Should have bought your electricity from EON and not the MEB

[skier-hughes]

The reason given for using mains power is that batteries when used lose power, this can be detected and results in capturing stopping. Of course the large the battery power, the fuller it is charged and the better quality it is the more capturing can be done on battery.

[paul56]

Should have bought your electricity from EON and not the MEB

nPower actually

BTW I received an email notification for the first response - should I have for the following ones too?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Paul

Just out of interest, what make and model camera are you using?

[paul56]

Hi Paul

Just out of interest, what make and model camera are you using?

Sony DCR-TRV320E