Can I capture using Svideo connection?

[lgking]

I am v-e-r-y new to this. Trying to capture from my Sony Digital8 Handycam onto VideoStudio 7 using a WinFast TV 2000 XP card installed on my PC. The card is connected to my camera using an Svideo connection. When I press “play” on the camera I can see the footage on the VS7 preview screen but it is not capturing and the control buttons under the screen are greyed out. I have tinkered with every setting I can see to tinker with but clearly don’t know what I am doing. Do I need firewire? There is no input for one on my computer but I will get a new card if that is what I have to do.

I have also tried capturing from a DVD but no joy there either.

I would be most grateful for some experienced advice.

[Ron P.]

In capture mode, the buttons under the preview window only work to control your Camcorder, through a firewire. So capturing with S video cable they will be grayed out.
When you pressed play on your camcorder did you also press the "Capture" button in VS? I don't have VS7, but in VS8 it is located to the left of the preview window, above the options button.

Also S video captures "video only". So make sure you have your audio connected to a computer input, such as the line in on your sound card.

I did for a very short time, using VS8, capture via Svideo. IMHO Firewire makes capturing a lot easier.

[GeorgeBW]

Hi Igking,

If your Sony digital 8 camcorder plays Hi8 tapes and most of them do, there is a good chance that you have Pass-thru A to D conversion enabled as well. This will enable you to capture by firewire if the camera is likewise equipped. The video so captured is then DV, so settings will be for DV capture. You will need an IEEE 1394 compliant (Firewire) interface on your PC... which are simple enough to install and cost little. Your PC might already be equipped... and then you can capture DV-AVI for editing directly into UVS. Capture by Firewire is a far superior method of capture, and has the added advantage of device control, so that you can run everything from UVS. You would need an AV capture device fitted if you wanted to capture the video as Hi8 (AV)... and this would have to be compatible with UVS.. Also as Vidoman points out.. you would need to send audio via a sound card line-in port.. This separation of the two processes can give OOS problems later..

Hope this is of help
George

[lgking]

Clearly Firewire is the way to go if I am serious about this. I appreciate the quick replies so I can stop mucking around with Svideo. Thanks guys.