capture window is blank

[ctscar190]

I recently purchased VSP4 and when capturing from Panasonic camera via fire wire, the preview window remains blank but capture is successful. I can preview video on LCD screen of camera but that is all. All the settings seem to be ok. (PAL). However, the options panel is greyed out except for insert to timeline option. Also, the video properties in the options panel are all greyed out. I have a previous version VS3 on another computer which shows the preview window OK on capture. Could this be the intergrated video card in my new computer or is there something else going on here?

OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
MB Intel DH67GD intergrated HD Graphics Dual Display on board sound
CPU Intel Core i5 2500 3.3 GHz
8gb DDR3 Ram
Seagate 3.5 2 TB SATA2 HD
Panasonic NVGS400 for SD
Panasonic FZ100

[Ken Berry]

In Settings > Preferences > General, do you have 'Instant Playback Target' set to 'Preview Window'?

[mitcs0ke]

Hi ctscar190:
I have this very same problem!!!!
I Also see that we both are using Panasonic camcorders!!!
I wonder if that is the key to the problem????

[Ron P.]

I don't think the GS-400 is the sole issue, however it combined with Win7 64 bit might be. I think one of the other staff members (Trevor I think) may also have a GS-400, but according to his profile, is running Win XP. So far he hasn't posted about having this problem, and certainly would have.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Yes I have a GS 400 and have no problems capturing/transferring the video to Video Studio, connected via firewire and set capture Format as DV.

However I have to say that I tend to use WinDV nowadays.

I have in the past installed Vista, again with no problems, as for W7 not used yet.
At the moment running XP.

Post edited
you installed the patch for X4
VideoStudio® Pro X4 Service Pack

[Ron P.]

I'm very suspicious that Corel has messed up with VS X4, and the Win7 compatibility. It seems that we get a lot of similar problems, and the common denominator is Win7 64 bit.

I would also recommend using WinDV, as it does work with Win7, even though it was written back for Windows 98, and the last patch was issued in 2003. Hummm wonder why that is..

[Trevor Andrew]

Capture using NVGS400 to Video Studio X4, what I do/see……..

I connect the camera via firewire
Video Studio recognises the camera as Panasonic DV Device
The camera switches to Run/Pause, I see the frame in the preview screen.
There is some audio feedback, I stop the camera via VS controls, noise stops, the frame still shows.
I select DV as the capture format.

The “Options” cogwheel allows me to select :-
“Capture Options” Insert to timeline, all other options are greyed out
“Video Properties” – Choose DVD Type 1

I can set the capture duration by adjusting the digital clock, or leave at zero.
I can select Split by Scene
I like to use the split by scene option, X4 tends to cut the video by a one frame error,
maybe I’m being a little picky here, but I now use WinDV to capture my footage, at least I have the option to set the capture file names.

As your screen is black during capture I would suggest installing the Patch and also manually updating Direct X. Even though you have Windows Auto Updates.
The manual update approach has cured some strange issues with earlier versions X2/X3, maybe X4 would benefit

[ctscar190]

Thank you to all the contributors to this thread.
I have tried the following. Instant playback setting set to preview window. Capture settings are on DV. Split by scene is selected. I updated Direct X.
As stated before capture is successful on other computer which has xp and vsp3. I can see the preview screen, so it is not a camera issue. Capture is still ok on Windows 7 64 bit computer with vsp4 but I still get either a blank preview screen or sometimes a frozen image.
I also have the one frame error issue as well.
Win DV has been mentioned as a capture option. Is this an old program or is it a plug in for vsp4?

[Ken Berry]

WinDV is not a plug-in. It is freeware and quite small but works well, including on Windows 7. A lot of us here use it to capture SD DV video (and HDVSplit for HDV over firewire). You can find it at www.windv.mourek.cz

[ctscar190]

Ken,

Thank you for your infomation. I downloaded WinDV and extracted the files. The program recognised our Microsoft (skype) cam but did not recognise the Panasonic Camera.

[Ken Berry]

Assume you have the Panny connected via Firewire and switched on in PLAY mode? Otherwise, this would be the first time I have heard of WinDV not recognising a firewire camera... It seems strange that it recognises a Skype-type camera, since that would normally be USB which WinDV doesn't use...

[ctscar190]

Thank you for your help. I am now using the capture function in Nero 9 which is working successfully with all the controls usable. It is a pity that I have had to work around this problem. I have had many versions of vsp up to vsp3 and have not had this problem with capture under the many operating systems. I hope Corel can fix this problem. Many thanks.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

It does seem a little strange that WinDv doesn’t recognise the connection to the firewire terminal.
The only reason I can think of is if you have another capture software running prior to opening WinDV.
Make sure X4, Nero and any other video editing programs are closed.

I connect the camera via firewire and turn on.
I start WinDV
I see in the Video source as “Microsoft DV Camera and VCR”
I have to start the camera manually to play, then I see the video in the preview window.

With my Panasonic turned off………..
I tried my web cam, normally used on Skype, but like Ken said Win DV does not recognise USB devices.
However I see CyberLink Web Camera filter, this has always shown but does not work. No preview.
In the lower panel I then see “Error Can’t find DV output pin” until I turn on the GS400 camera.

Sorry in advance but I really have to ask, can you confirm that you are indeed connecting the camera to firewire and not USB
The firewire terminal on the camera is on the back of the camera to the right immediately below the battery, there is also a S-Video terminal.
The USB terminal is on the right hand side immediately below the record button, along with A/V in-out + Mic terminals

Unfortunately I cannot compare is using Windows 7 and X4/Win DV.
As Ron said earlier “I'm very suspicious that Corel has messed up with VS X4, and the Win7 compatibility.”

[Ron P.]

This may help you understand why sometimes there is a problem with Firewire (IEEE-1394b) and Win7

[mitcs0ke]

This may help you understand why sometimes there is a problem with Firewire (IEEE-1394b) and Win7

I wonder if the above is just a older windows 7 problem or a older computer problem.
I had to install a new Firewire card because my new system has only PCI Express
ports and my old card was just PCI.
I have not had any problems at all with the firewire card {StarTech brand) except the blank
capture screen, and the capture works just fine!
I even set VSX4 to show dropped frames and it didn't miss a thing!!
(the system I have better NOT have missed anything...LOL)
As soon as I get more time, I will look more into this!