VideoStudio

[bowl3001999]

If your computer recognises the camera then there is no problem with the driver. I had a problem in the early days with the FireWire cable, the Canon socket can be temperamental and the plug may need a firm push in. I solved my problem by replacing the cable.
Firewire is a connection protocol like USB so, provided the computer can see the connection, you should have no problem.
I would suggest you connect up the camera to the computer before you switch on. There were reports that connecting after switching on would blow certain Canon cameras and some HV20s were lost this way.

Well, now the problem is VideoStudio...keeps freezing up. I just can't win

[Terfyn]

Oh Heck!!! Do you have the original disks? If you do , try a "repair". The option is sometimes available under the Program Uninstall. Or I suppose a complete reinstall.

In the meantime have you used Windows Movie Maker to get your DVDs made?

Corel has a page on uninstall for VSx5, I printed it off and took it to my Dealer when my version of VSx5 froze. It has a series of instructions of what to change/delete in the Windows register. My Dealer had warned me on pain of "something worse than death" not to touch the register! So I thought "If you make a mess of it, you can, at least, repair it"!!!!
VSx5 is now running OK - let it stay that way! Incidentally my reason for changing to VideoStudio from my old faithful Pinnacle Studio was that my Dealer said it was less "buggey". He has had to put his "money where his mouth is" on a number of occasions for me. I now like VideoStudio, but the transition was initially quite hard.

You are on VSx4?? How about an upgrade at the same time? I live in a somewhat rural area and broadband speeds are pathetic, so I ALWAYS get the boxed version as Downloaded versions take hours and can be faulty. The little extra it costs pays off as I can always get a repair or re-install at any time.

Hope you get it sorted.

[lata]

Hi Wendy

Nice to hear you are making progress and the PC is now recognising the camera.

I don’t understand your comment regarding “this website that suggested plugging it into the back of the computer.” We had assumed you were doing that?

So where were you plugging the cable into., you said the firewire was part of the main board?
Not to worry at least you have the camera working on the pc.

Try using Win DV to capture the video, then insert the captured files to VS timeline. if this works without problems then you may be best to re-install video studio?
You do not give any details as to when the crashes occur, nor what you were doing?

[bowl3001999]

Hi Wendy

I don’t understand your comment regarding “this website that suggested plugging it into the back of the computer.” We had assumed you were doing that?
I was plugging it into the front of the computer

So where were you plugging the cable into., you said the firewire was part of the main board? see above
Not to worry at least you have the camera working on the pc.

Try using Win DV to capture the video, then insert the captured files to VS timeline. if this works without problems then you may be best to re-install video studio?
You do not give any details as to when the crashes occur, nor what you were doing

It just froze up as soon as I pressed the capture button, but then it worked when I re-started because I got that error (meaning it didn't recognize my camera again)
?

I would try Win DV, but now, it doesn't seem to be recognizing it again? I am dumbfounded. I am thinking something is now wrong with my Dad's camcorder. Grrrr. Maybe I will go ahead and try my camcorder with the converter that I bought.

[Terfyn]

Sorry to pop up again. Have you tried another cable? An intermittent fault like this does sound like connections. I had exactly the same problem with my first cable, it took a hard shove to get the camera connected. The second cable is OK connects every time. I assumed that the plug on the second cable is slightly longer than the first cable. I have also read about this problem on the HV20 Camcorder Information site. The Canon socket is set slightly deeper.

Grrrr. Maybe I will go ahead and try my camcorder with the converter that I bought. Or do what I did and buy a non DV camera!!!!!! (Now I'm in trouble )
I mentioned before that when my new computer complete with FireWire card etc.etc. did not recognise my HV20, I panicked and bought a Panasonic HC-V700 complete with SD card (can be read by the computer card reader) and USB (that just plugs straight in) This extravagance did pay off, the camera is as good as the HV20 and has newer technology. The video and the photos - recorded on the card - can be read by VS (but I tend to use the Panasonic software as this separates the video from the stills) and the process is so much easier. The Canon, which I bought in 2005, has a mechanical tape drive (which could give trouble in the future from wear) and uses tape. (which has a relatively short lifespan and can suffer from print through) I know this may be unfair to an excellent camera that still works fine but it is a worry. SD cards are relatively cheap and the contents can be easily dumped on to a DVD as backup. (They are not perfect but I believe they are a step forward from tape.)

I know this is an expensive step but it may save more tears in the long run!

[bowl3001999]

Sorry to pop up again. Have you tried another cable? An intermittent fault like this does sound like connections. I had exactly the same problem with my first cable, it took a hard shove to get the camera connected. The second cable is OK connects every time. I assumed that the plug on the second cable is slightly longer than the first cable. I have also read about this problem on the HV20 Camcorder Information site. The Canon socket is set slightly deeper.

Grrrr. Maybe I will go ahead and try my camcorder with the converter that I bought. Or do what I did and buy a non DV camera!!!!!! (Now I'm in trouble )
I mentioned before that when my new computer complete with FireWire card etc.etc. did not recognise my HV20, I panicked and bought a Panasonic HC-V700 complete with SD card (can be read by the computer card reader) and USB (that just plugs straight in) This extravagance did pay off, the camera is as good as the HV20 and has newer technology. The video and the photos - recorded on the card - can be read by VS (but I tend to use the Panasonic software as this separates the video from the stills) and the process is so much easier. The Canon, which I bought in 2005, has a mechanical tape drive (which could give trouble in the future from wear) and uses tape. (which has a relatively short lifespan and can suffer from print through) I know this may be unfair to an excellent camera that still works fine but it is a worry. SD cards are relatively cheap and the contents can be easily dumped on to a DVD as backup. (They are not perfect but I believe they are a step forward from tape.)

I know this is an expensive step but it may save more tears in the long run!

Well, obviously these are older cameras, mine is even older. I now have a digital rebel with video, so I won't have this problem. However, it doesn't help with the older stuff, because that is where all the videos are of my late mother. I could try to buy another firewire cable, and just test it out. But, I appreciate the advice

[Terfyn]

There are a number of services offering transfer from Mini DV Tapes to DVD - if all else fails.
Good luck.

I apologise. You want to transfer 8mm analogue tapes. I suggest again you get it done professionally. When the video is on a DVD or SD card, you can do what you want with it. Create more DVDs or produce edited versions with music or a voiceover added.
Getting the transfer done for you should also ensure that the quality is the best. I did an "8mm to DVD" search and 6-7 services came up in the UK alone so there should be plenty in the USA.

[Old_Friend]

It seems that I bought that firewire cable awhile back when I first started all this, but I'll have to look around to be sure. I'l be honest, I have no idea on the brand and model number...nothing I can find shows it on my computer. Maybe I could just shut it down and look on the inside (which I have no problem doing as long as I know what to look for).

You seem to be referring to the Firewire cable, while I was referring to the Firewire card itself. However, since your IEEE1394 Firewire is NOT a separate, external PC card (but, rather a "chip" built into the motherboard), you won't be able to see it even if open your computer and look for it. The main problem here is that if the chip is damaged or faulty, your only real (inexpensive solution) would be to buy an EXTERNAL Firewire card ($12 to $30 bucks) and plug it into one of your PC's slots. You can't fix the chip on the motherboard affordably. It would be cheaper to by another motherboard. That's a whole new can of worms!

No way...so I found this article on firewire (while looking how to idenify it) and I saw this website that suggested plugging it into the back of the computer. And whala, it recognizes the camera!

The Firewire port on the back of your computer is the proper one to use, since that port connects directly to your motherboard. The ones on the front of your computer case, often including USB 2.0 ports, USB 3.0 ports, etc. sometimes fail to work properly because they are linked to motherboard "pins" via cables of their own, and have drivers to support them (which are often not up-to-date). I have a $200 computer case (LIAN LI A70F) with all kinds of ports on the top of it, but I still try to use rear ports when possible. And remember, USB and Firewire are two different animals. Firewire, just like microphone jacks, are direct ELECTRICALLY charged connections... totally unlike a USB connection. You can short-out your MB system if you do not power both it and the camera to "Off" prior to plugging either of those types into it, or pulling them out of it. Be careful.

[bowl3001999]

Old Friend,
I'm sorry, I was referring to the card...but I didn't realize there was no way to see the manufacturer. I'm up for buying an external card if that's necessary.

Firewire, just like microphone jacks, are direct ELECTRICALLY charged connections... totally unlike a USB connection. You can short-out your MB system if you do not power both it and the camera to "Off" prior to plugging either of those types into it, or pulling them out of it. Be careful.

So, how to you turn off the firewire, by just turning the computer off? Sorry, I have never used Firewire prior to this. I don't want to short out my MB! I guess there is no way to tell if it's damaged :/

[bowl3001999]

There are a number of services offering transfer from Mini DV Tapes to DVD - if all else fails.
Good luck.

I apologise. You want to transfer 8mm analogue tapes. I suggest again you get it done professionally. When the video is on a DVD or SD card, you can do what you want with it. Create more DVDs or produce edited versions with music or a voiceover added.
Getting the transfer done for you should also ensure that the quality is the best. I did an "8mm to DVD" search and 6-7 services came up in the UK alone so there should be plenty in the USA.

Yes, I am aware that I can use those services, however...I don't feel comfortable sending away tapes of my deceased Mother when those tapes are not replaceable, know what I mean?

[canuck]

Have you thought about making backup copies of the tapes? Perhaps you have a friend who has a digital camcorder you could use or maybe even rent one and make copies to a camcorder DVD or hard drive.?

[Terfyn]

Just another idea.
I have a Panasonic DVD player that is also a recorder. (Model No:- DMR-ES15.) These should be very common. It has composite input (red, white & yellow RCA sockets) and S-video input. (Most of the more expensive 8mm cameras had a S-video output.)
Find one of these (I would try a local video club ) and plug your 8mm camera directly in. Burn DVDs directly from the tapes.

There is nothing wrong with the 8mm -> A to D via a Canon camera -> PC, but, as you are finding out, it is fraught with pitfalls! Again there is nothing wrong with FireWire but it is now seen as yesterday's technology. Even the new Canon cameras use DVD or SD cards.

My idea is that you get your 8mm transferred to a current media such as SD or DVD and work from there. At least your PC would recognise a memory card or DVD staight away.

If you wanted to do the job yourself and invest in a DVD recorder Amazon have an LG - DRT389H recorder with a composite input. (It even has a FireWire connector!) So if you can beg, borrow or buy a DVD recorder, this will get your 8mm to disk.

Again I hope this gives you another choice.

P.S. I dropped a series of raw video clips, from a backup DVD, on to VSx5 and set them up for editing so, once your 8mm is on DVD, you could edit the footage if you wish.

[bowl3001999]

Just another idea.
I have a Panasonic DVD player that is also a recorder. (Model No:- DMR-ES15.) These should be very common. It has composite input (red, white & yellow RCA sockets) and S-video input. (Most of the more expensive 8mm cameras had a S-video output.)
Find one of these (I would try a local video club ) and plug your 8mm camera directly in. Burn DVDs directly from the tapes.

There is nothing wrong with the 8mm -> A to D via a Canon camera -> PC, but, as you are finding out, it is fraught with pitfalls! Again there is nothing wrong with FireWire but it is now seen as yesterday's technology. Even the new Canon cameras use DVD or SD cards.

My idea is that you get your 8mm transferred to a current media such as SD or DVD and work from there. At least your PC would recognise a memory card or DVD staight away.

If you wanted to do the job yourself and invest in a DVD recorder Amazon have an LG - DRT389H recorder with a composite input. (It even has a FireWire connector!) So if you can beg, borrow or buy a DVD recorder, this will get your 8mm to disk.

Again I hope this gives you another choice.

P.S. I dropped a series of raw video clips, from a backup DVD, on to VSx5 and set them up for editing so, once your 8mm is on DVD, you could edit the footage if you wish.

Unfortunately, the older camera that I have does not have the s-video, only the composite input (hence, the reason I was trying to use the newer as a pass-through).

I believe that my sister has a DVD recorder, and I could maybe borrow it. You are saying that I could just plug the composite into the recorder (real-time of course) and it would be of good quality?

[bowl3001999]

Have you thought about making backup copies of the tapes? Perhaps you have a friend who has a digital camcorder you could use or maybe even rent one and make copies to a camcorder DVD or hard drive.?

I thought the ZR45 camcorder I borrowed is a digital camcorder, but I think the digital is only for still shots? Even so, that darn manual calls it a digital video camcorder?

[Terfyn]

I believe that my sister has a DVD recorder, and I could maybe borrow it. You are saying that I could just plug the composite into the recorder (real-time of course) and it would be of good quality?
It will be the same quality as if you use the ZR45 as the A to D converter and then FireWire to your computer and it won't be that bad. Your Sister's recorder may have an S-video socket, if so, use that. Feeding the signal through the ZR45 and then to your PC is the same as feeding to a DVD recorder. Analogue -> A to D -> Record to DVD

We lived with composite and S-video when I started. I used Hi-8 format which was analogue. Eventually Digital 8 came along but was superceded by the Mini DV tape which holds a digital signal. I am guessing your tapes are Hi-8 or Video 8.
The major area of degridation was copying analogue to analogue which we had to do when we wanted to edit videos. I had two 8mm video recorders connected to a Sony box of tricks which electronically pushed the record and play buttons on each machine. Our edit control was time code. The quality was affected by the re-recording of the same analogue signal.
In your case, there will be only one conversion from analogue to digital before the DVD is burnt. Once in digital format, the quality of the picture should not degrade.
Obviously the better the A to D conversion, the better the picture. (which is why, initially, I suggested a professional outfit to do the transfers)

The ZR45 has an SD card to record still pictures only. Video will still be on Mini Dv and transfer by Firewire. My Canon HV20 has the same system.