Direct capture of MOD files (JVC) to VideoStudio

physioz · Post by **physioz** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:17 am

Using VS 11+, I am unable to 'Capture' directly from my JVC (MOD format) files as the program (VS 11+) does not appear to recognise that there is even a device there. The knowledgebase(s) indicate that this is a known problem with older versions of VS e.g Vers 8 & 9 as they don't recognise MOD files but say nothing about later versions.

Currrently I use USB/windows explorer and drag the files to my PC and then import them into VS. After that everything seems to work fine. Clearly VS 11+ can 'deal' with MOD format files once they're "in". However I would like to capture directly from the camcorder. I am unsure whether this is a VS problem or one relating to my JVC Everio camcorder (hard drive not tape). If the former, I can upgrade to VS X2 if this will help. Anybody able to help?

Thanks, Dave

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:56 am

Hi physioz! Welcome to the forums... That was quick since I only approved your application a couple of hours ago. Good to know the outwards message to you was equally quick!!

As far as I am aware, with JVC .mod (and high def .tod) camcorders, what you are currently doing is in fact the way you 'capture' -- by simply transferring the video from camera to your hard disk, then opening it in VS for editing. It's also the way users with AVCHD cameras transfer their video to VS for editing, for example. The capture element of VS has traditionally been meant for either Firewire captures (DV or DVD and HDV formats) or USB capture of mpeg/DVD format. Though VS since VS11 can handle .mod and .tod files OK, I don't think any adjustment was ever made to the capture code to allow direct capture by VS.

For what it's worth, try not to get too hung up about it. A lot of us here never use VS for capture, regardless of what our camcorders are and whether or not VS can "see" them and capture directly from them... I personally use a small freeware program called WinDV to capture my standard def DV video, and another freeware program called HSVSplit for my high definition video, then open the captured files in VS for editing -- just as I am suggesting you continue your current workflow with your JVC. At most you lose a few seconds in importing the files into VS...

physioz · Post by **physioz** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:21 am

Thanks Ken

I have 'learnt' to use VideoStudio from a series of video tutorials and one of the first ones emphasised the ability to edit (trim) whilst you were capturing or such like. You're right, it's not a big deal but I was also wondering (at the same time) whether or not it is worth upgrading to VS X2 hence my question as to whether the capture/trim couldd be done in version X2.

Assuming it can't, I am going to ask you a 'how long is a piece of string' question anyway. Do you think that VS X2 is a significant improvement on VS 11+ and if so why?

Thanks

Dave R in Perth

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:20 am

If by 'capture and trim' you mean 'split by scene', i.e. split up the incoming/captured video by its individual scenes as part of the capture, then you would not be able to do that anyway. That only works with DV/AVI format, and not with *any* of the mpeg formats, including .mod. But you should be able to do it once it is captured.

And yes, it's a 'how long is a piece of string' sort of question, but generally I believe it is better, if only because of the increased number of overlay tracks, being able to manipulate the overlay tracks (e.g. transitions) very much better, an extra title track and such. But otherwise, if these do not interest you, then 11+/11.5+ is more than sufficient, particularly for standard definition video...

physioz · Post by **physioz** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:53 am

That's great - thanks for the (very good) help

Cheers

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:09 pm

Assuming it can't, I am going to ask you a 'how long is a piece of string' question anyway. Do you think that VS X2 is a significant improvement on VS 11+ and if so why?

FWIW, I am a long time user and I did not upgrade from v10 to v11 because I did not think the "upgrades" warrented the price. When X2 came out I immediatley upgraded, as the new features were a no-brainer for me.

But again, it's what best suits your needs.

RickMen · Post by **RickMen** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:14 pm

I concur with Ken's advice. I have a JVC HD camcorder that produces TOD files & all I do is use the software that came bundled with the camcorder to copy/backup the TOD files across to my PC using USB cable. From there I insert the TOD files into my VS library folders.

I found that using the software that was bundled with the camcorder it keeps tracks of what I have preivously backed up to my PC hence it only backs up the new stuff since that last backup.