cant capture with usb2 only panasonic pv-gs70 camcorder

edog · Post by **edog** » Sat May 07, 2005 3:59 am

I have a panasonic minidv pv-gs70 camcorder. I can only use the web cam function. When I try to capture, it will only allow webcam feature. I have not added any plug ins and I am using the trial version. Is it possible to capture video with usb2.0?

MikeGunter · Post by **MikeGunter** » Sat May 07, 2005 4:45 am

Hi,

Most DV cameras require IEEE1394 (firewire) to export DV content to the computer.

Mike

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat May 07, 2005 8:32 am

To expand a little - yes, it is possible to capture with USB 2.0, and at least some of the new Panasonic digital video cameras are coming with that.

BUT -- and it's a big 'but ' - the camera must have a USB 2.0 port (as the above-mentioned Panasonics do), as well as USB 2 on your computer. On the other hand, those cameras which have USB 1.0 ports (probably like yours), have them only to transfer still images when you use your vidcam as a still camera. USB 1 is simply not fast enough to transfer video.

You will find that your camera has a Firewire port -- probably called i-link in your camera manual -- and as Mike has already said, you should use this for video capture. No video camera that I am aware of, however, comes supplied with the necessary Firewire cable, so you will need to buy one of those (and hopefully your computer will have at least one Firewire port on it. If not, you will need to buy a Firewire card.)

You will also need to ensure you buy the correct cable: most likely one with a small 4-pin Firewire plug at one end (for your camera) and a larger 6 pin one at the other end which goes into your computer

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Sat May 07, 2005 9:39 am

Ken is right with what he said, to some degree. Even USB 2.0 is not fast enough to capture full size DV-AVI. You will need a firewire port to do that plus a PC that is fast enough in the Harddisk and processor department. You also need plenty of disk space to store full frame DV-AVI. There are other issues as well with video editing.

USB 2.0 can be used for streaming video to use for internet or webcam.

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Sat May 07, 2005 2:24 pm

You need to load the new USB Drivers for USB.
But, FireWire is still the most compatible with Uleads Software.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Quoted (Panasonic WebSite)
USB 2.0 and Video Class3 Compatibility:

USB 2.0 compatibility gives you high-speed uploading of DV data to a PC over a single USB cable. Video Class compatibility allows real-time transfer of DV moving picture data over the same USB cable. The MotionDV Studio 5.1 LE application provided makes it easy to edit DV footage, so you can create your own polished, professional-looking movies.

For a digital camcorder as of January 5, 2005:
Video Class is a standard format that allows the real-time transfer of moving picture data over a USB cable.
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

The best way is still the "FireWire" Port IEEE1394 is what it's called.
All software programs support the "FireWire" method.
Many programs do not support the USB streaming method yet.

MD

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat May 07, 2005 10:57 pm

Heinz-oz -- sorry to take issue with you, but since USB 2.0 nominally has a faster transfer rate than Firewire, I am at a loss to know why you think it is not fast enough. I agree, however, that Firewire is the preferred route.

In any case, the camera in question - the pv-gs70 - only has a USB 1.0 port which can be used for streaming MPEG-4 movies it takes and stores on the included Secure Digital card. But for DV video, it has a Firewire port, though as usual, no cable is supplied and must be purchased (4 pin to 6 pin) and of course the computer must have a Firewire port as well.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Sun May 08, 2005 6:26 am

Don't be sorry Ken, if USB does it for you, fine, it doesn't do it for me. What are the spec's for VideoClass? Full frame and only standard DV compression?

I'm not alone in the believe that USB 2.0 is still inferior to Firewire. Not only because most NL editing packages do not support USB capture.

What ever makes you happy.