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Hi all-
I have never had a problem capturing dv before. I am working with VS Pro X2 vers.12.0.98.1 Just this morning, I tried to capture from the new Canon ZR950 mini-DV for the first time. The computer recognized the camera, however, VS gave me an error message "Out of Memory" and did not recognize the camera. I tried our Sony camcorder, with which we have never had a problem, and got the same error message. The system crashed repeatedly. I deleted all the video thumbnails, other than the included defaults. I switched the working file from J to K drives (see below) and back again...

My computer:
C drive total/free: 71.3/27.7 GB free
J drive: 298/261 GB free (this is where my work file is)
K drive: 232/133 GB free
CPU usage is at 2%
and per my profile, I have 2GB RAM

What do you suggest I try now? Deleting the program cache? Uninstalling the program and reinstalling?.... I really hate to do that, but if I must, I must.

Thanks,
Vicki

A number of us here don't use VS to capture DV. Instead, we use a small freeware program called WinDV -- from windv.mourek.cz It's easy to use and essentially hassle-free. You capture in DV format then open the captured files in VS for editing.

I don't know what is causing your problem, but WinDV is normally an excellent work-around.

How are you attempting to capture the video from your camcorder to your hard drive.
e.g. Firewire cable / USB Cable or by some other means?

Thanks, I just downloaded winDV and was able to capture the footage, although it did not split by scene for me. I'll have to look into that.

However, I am still perplexed by VS suddenly not being able to capture as I have never had a problem before. For both camcorders, I have captured via firewire.

Strange....

Thanks for your input and help.
Vicki

Since your problem happens with 2 different cams, on of which you know to have worked in the past, I would look at what changed on your system. Hardware or software updates (some of which happen in the background and you have no idea)? You might want to try a System Restore.

And WinDV most definitely splits b y scene...

It's past midnight here in NJ and I am still perplexed. I uninstalled and reinstalled VS twice and ran it in safe mode. In safe mode, instead of crashing the program, I got an error message with more info: "Either no video capture driver is installed on this system, or no device is connected".

I also did a system restore to June 1st, but I may not have gone back far enough.

The Capture worked in winDV. Perhaps the timestamp was not enabled on the camcorder. It's my husband's device and he is still learning.
My next step is to do a system restore and start deleting the little programs that I have added to the system recently, like Picassa (ugh).

Could it be a codec problem?

Thanks all-
Vicki

Hi Vicki

You say a new Canon ZR950 mini-DV.
Did you install the Canon software.

If so it may be running in the background, taking control of the capture device.

I use Windows Defender to disable some ¡¥start¡¦ programs. At least I can easily see what¡¦s loaded from starting the pc.

If you did install the Canon software you may be able to use that to capture the footage.
Although Win-DV does give you the option of choosing a Name for the captured files, and that¡¦s good.

Split by Scene, as Ken mentioned Win Dv should do this.
But you can always use Split by Scene from VS. This would split the big captured file into smaller virtual clips, just like using the scissors.

A codec problem NO i doubt it.
Capturing from your Mini DV via firewire to DV merely transfers /copies the data from your camera to the PC.
There is no re-coding going on here.--- What you have is what you get DV-Avi.

Vicki wrote:.......
My next step is to do a system restore and start deleting the little programs that I have added to the system recently, like Picassa (ugh).....
Vicki

I don't have a problem with Picasa and my Video Editing programs.

Back from vacation.....

Essentially, I give up. I had spent another night up to 1am.... and got woken up by the dog, kid and husband at 5:45am....

The last time I captured with VS was on March 27, 2009, with no problems. Unfortunately, that is too far back for a sys restore.

I did notice a strange fvd icon in the systray when I loaded a project. It showed up when a video clip played. I traced it to stowaway software called PixiePack Codec Pack, bundled with trial software that I had uninstalled. I uninstalled that software and went back and deleted all the orphaned files. I really thought I had fixed the problem after that.... but no... and VS would not capture with either camcorder in safe mode either.

I found this post: http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/26184p2.html
When I tried to <tools/Change capture plugin>, the only option listed is ¡§Corel Capture Component¡¨. In ¡§Select Device Control,¡¨ it did recognize the camcorders in that dialog, but froze up when I tried to capture.

I don't think I installed any new Canon software for this camcorder, but I will check out that angle.

The WinDV program that you had recommended works fine for me, and until I have my techy brother over to go through my system with a fine-toothed comb, it will have to do. (I set up the date/time on the camcorder and the program splits by scene fine).

Thank you for all your time and input.
Vicki

The WinDV program that you had recommended works fine for me, and until I have my techy brother over to go through my system with a fine-toothed comb, it will have to do.

As already noted above, some of us here actually prefer WinDV and consciously chose it. Admittedly, in our cases, capture using VS also works in most cases. But I would not be greatly worried, if I were you, if you never had to use VS for DV capture ever again...