cannot capture video from camcorder

[polywog]

Using VideoStudio X3 pro, and when I click on Capture Video it does not detect my camcorder. Any suggestions on what to try?
Camcorder is on and on the correct setting for importing. I am able to import video from the camcorder using other video editing software (pinnacle), but I want to use VS X3.

[Black Lab]

It would be helpful to know what kind of camcorder, how it's connected, and in what format you are trying to capture.

[polywog]

the camcorder is a Panasonic PV-GS120 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder. connecting to my computer through firewire, and I would like to capture in mpeg2.

[Black Lab]

Sometimes it depends on the order in which things are turned on. You may have to have your camera on before you open VS, or vice versa. You might have to experiment different scenarios to find one that works.

And, since you have a mini-dv cam you should be capturing in DV-AVI format, not MPEG-2. DV-AVI is basically like a transfer, and you will suffer no quality loss during editing. If you want to then burn to DVD you would render your project to an MPEG-2.

[polywog]

I am not having any luck. I have tried to have the camera on then start VS, and have also tried the opposite.

Thank you for the tip about DV-AVI, once I am able to get VS to acknowledge my camcorder, I will use that format.

[Black Lab]

How long do you wait after you turn the cam on? I have read that some people have to wait a minute or two until it is recognized.

Sometimes mine isn't recognized correctly if it is at the very beginning of the tape. Try fast fowarding a bit and give it a try.

The other alternative is to capture using Pinnacle (since that works) then import the clips into VS for editing.

[Ken Berry]

You could also try capturing (still in DV format) using either Windows Movie Maker (if you have downloaded the Windows 7 version) or else a small freeware program a number of us here use: WinDV (windv.mourek.cz) But if you have trouble with either of these, then it would be a physical problem associated either with your DV card or cable or (potentially worse) you camera firewire port...

[polywog]

How long do you wait after you turn the cam on? I have read that some people have to wait a minute or two until it is recognized.

Sometimes mine isn't recognized correctly if it is at the very beginning of the tape. Try fast fowarding a bit and give it a try.

The other alternative is to capture using Pinnacle (since that works) then import the clips into VS for editing.

Figuring that I was able to capture from my camera using not only one, but three other programs on my computer, I decided the problem was with VS. I decided to uninstall and reinstall the program. That worked. I was then able to capture video with VS X3.
Thank you for all the suggestions, and the support of this forum.

[Black Lab]

Good to hear.

[tgwiz]

You could also try capturing (still in DV format) using either Windows Movie Maker (if you have downloaded the Windows 7 version) or else a small freeware program a number of us here use: WinDV (windv.mourek.cz) But if you have trouble with either of these, then it would be a physical problem associated either with your DV card or cable or (potentially worse) you camera firewire port...

When you say "(still in DV format)" does that mean WinDV captures with DV-AVI files rather than AVI files? I understand that this can be significant as there is no loss of quality using DV-AVI when there is with AVI.

Thanks

Gwyn

[skier-hughes]

You could also try capturing (still in DV format) using either Windows Movie Maker (if you have downloaded the Windows 7 version) windows live movie maker no longer captures from minidv, you need to use windows live video acquire wizard or else a small freeware program a number of us here use: WinDV (windv.mourek.cz) But if you have trouble with either of these, then it would be a physical problem associated either with your DV card or cable or (potentially worse) you camera firewire port...

When you say "(still in DV format)" does that mean WinDV captures with DV-AVI files rather than AVI files? I understand that this can be significant as there is no loss of quality using DV-AVI when there is with AVI. ????? AVI is a container and can contain one of over 800 file types, one of which is dv and as you say this does offer virtually lossless editing, it is only when dealing with many of the lossy formats such as mjpeg, divx, xvid, mpeg etc that you suffer losses.

Thanks

Gwyn

[tgwiz]

Many thanks Graham.