New to VS 9 - Help please on Device Settings

[Rabfan]

I've just purchased VS9 (Download) and have been playing around, following the main set up advice at the head of this Forum. So far so good. No problems capturing etc and have been experimenting OK. However, I thought I'd try out the DV to DVD Wizard to see what it can do....only to find that my device isn't listed.....and I cant find any way of detecting it. (This happens only when in the DV - DVD Wizard / Quick Scan) Any suggestions?

Also, probably a daft question.....but I'm using a USB connection from camera to PC. If I switch to firewire....does that improve quality of capture?

Many Thanks

SONY HC30E (PAL)
Dell Dimension 5100
P4: 3.0Ghz / 1.0G RAM

PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

[Ken Berry]

Most definitely you should be using the Firewire connection in order to capture high quality digital video in DV format (which is exactly the same quality as on the DV tape in your digital video camera). On your particular camera it is called the iLink connection. It will be a small 4-pin port which looks a bit like a mini-USB port. It is a silly thing that camera manufacturers include a USB cable with their cameras, when the very great majority of cameras can only use USB for lower quality streaming video or transfer of still photos. But they never include a Firewire cable, which is the main way of transferring high quality digital video from DV cameras. Of course you will need a Firewire port/card on your computer as well. This will usually be a larger 6 pin port, so when you buy your cable, make sure you have the correct connections on it (usually a 4-pin to 6 pin one).

[Rabfan]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the prompt response. My system does have an ATI Radeon X300SE Hyper Memory graphics card - 128Mb ....which I believe has an DVI connection....so I guess I need to get a Firewire.

Do you have any thoughts on my device detection issue?

Thanks again