You say the prob is there pre-rendered. Is it still there post-rendered?

Yes they are there post rendered if I go ahead and make the movie. Sometimes they go away and then don't appear in the movie. It obviously a software glitch. I thought maybe it had something to do with the quality of the video but I've seen it on fresh video as well as tape that was overwritten a couple of times...

How do you import/capture footage into your pc? More specifically do you use a device to convert your clips from your cammy?

G

I'm using the Dazzle Video Creator. Just downloaded the new XP patch. Maybe that's it?

Soooo... are you converting Analogue to Digital with this Dazzle? Sorry to ask such a dumb question. I do hope the XP patch works.

G

I'm using a digital eight video camera, does that matter? I've been using this camera for awhile but this is the first I've seen of the black screens....

Okay, can you now tell me why you are using the Dazzle? I presume you are using it instead of a video capture card. Is that correct? And that you aren't using the Dazzle to convert Analogue to Digital. I use the Dazzle Hollywood Bridge to convert AV to DV. When I get a DV-Cammy I'll just plug the firewire output of the DV-cammy into the my Dell 1394 Dell Movie solution 4 pin 1394 OHCI qualified port. I'm presuming you don't have such a firewire input port.

G

I use a Sony dv cam and found the best setup is thro firewire. The only probs I've had using VF is occasionally the capture/ptt utility doesn't do it's job properly and I've got to fiddle around a bit.

So, Laz, I understand that you directly send your DV footage straight to a firewire port. Is that correct? - If this is the case, and if it is the case for Tommr, why does someone need the Dazzle? I can understand that there is a need to use a "convertor" to get AV out to say, a VCR [VHS] - but other than that, why? Sorry again for what might appear a dumb question. I'm just wondering if Tommr's Dazzle is getting in the way and producing the "Black Frames" - but on the way in. Do you see where I'm coming from?

G

I just starting noticing the black frames. I just saw another one today on a fresh capture. I've never seen them before, before the xp patch that it. I don't have a fire wire connection, does this mean I need to buy something new????

Okay - Tommr, can you explain exactly how you go from cammy to pc. Include the whole story. USB or firewire or RCA plugs out of cammy, how do you connect to the Dazzle, is the Dazzle an external box, how you connect the Dazzle to the pc. And in the reverse, how you connect back to either cammy or VCR [VHS].

For example - for capture I connect RCA phono jacks [1 for video and only 1 for audio] on my AV Panasonic to the AV "IN" on the Dazzle bridge, connect a firewire lead [6-pin] to my Dell firewire OHCI 1394 qualified video input [4-pin]. Then going out/away from my Dell, firewire OHCI 1394 qualified video output [same outlet as the input [4-pin]], back to the INPUT 6-pin on the Dazzle, RCA phono plugs to a SCART which is connected to my Hitachi VCR [VHS]. I should imagine this would hold true for NTSC - can't qualify this as I'm resident in London UK.

I'm running WinME and apart from some hiccups Printing To Tape [PTT], it works. I can't speak for WinXP.

So let's see what "Route" you take to get your stuff into your pc and see what other VFers think. Okay?

Before you rush out to purchase anything, let's see if there is something else the Forum can suggest. However, you have suggested that prior to the XP patch you were working okay, I do understand this, but try and remember what your process was when you did this. Did you make any edits in the clip/s? Is the Dazzle a new item? Anything else you can think of?

This is a really frustrating position to be in - I've had this with PTT and I've had major help from this Forum giving me support and advice.

Cheers,

G

Grazie, I think you're right about the Dazzle maybe being best used only for analogue conversion. Using dv, the firewire card (with cable) is the best setup. Tommr, you can pick one up for about £25. This link will give you lots of info; http://thetechnozone.com/videobuyersguide/capturecards/IEEE1394cards.html

Laz, I'm only asking questions so far. I'd like to ascertain the fidelity of Tommr's transportation set-up first. - I don't know if what I'd asked is pointing to the Dazzle or not. I would just like to know what T's set-up is. I suppose the real question I'm wanting to ask is why the Dazzle anyway? Is it because a firewire "connect-up" was required? Hence the need for some form of DV to firewire to pc was thought of as being necessary? Or what? Could it be that T needs to "pass thru'" a Dazzle device to create a 1394 onward flow? All you DV-VFers go straight from your cammys to the 1394 OHCI input - yes? - And yes, to have a "direct" firewire connection from a DV cammy seems the way to go.

I've yet to scale the dizzy heights and ease of having a DV cammy! But, with the new Canon XM-2 [States side it's the GL-2!] I've been salivating after, and hope to acquire real soon, I look forward to the end of mucking about with my Dazzle Hollywood Bridge! - The XM-2 boasts DV-AV-DV; AV-DV-AV ect ect.

Honestly Laz, I would really like to know why Tommr got the Dazzle in the first place? It can only be for going back out to AV. - And yes again, your suggestion to look at the Techzone might just throw some light on Tommr's problem.

Phew, its taken some time to get there, but hey we all have recieved some sound advice here on the VF Forum, from time to time.

Tommr, if you are reading this, please give us your responses.

Oh yes, my PTTing works great through Studio7 - stills burps and f@#ts through VF! Soooo... my crumby ole WinME does its thing with the Pinnacle package but not with VF.

OOOhhhh must get back to editing my Dutch footage.... now where DID I put AV-Tape 4?

G

That's Mr. T to you, Grazie! I bought the dazzle because I didn't know of any other way to capture video other than a video capture card. My intel web cam used to act as my video capture and that worked fine. I could only make files up to about 5mb though. So now I plug the dazzle into the pc via usb, I put the audio outputs from the dazzle device into the back of the pc. From the camera I use an s video chord and an audio chord into the dazzle device. That's all folks. From there I play the video and start up the software, then push record when the tape gets to the point where I want to record. I have never had any problems prior to this. Although I was thinking in the car that the installation of the xp patch for the dazzle software did not install properly and I thought I might reinstall it to see if that helps.

Mr T - thanks for outlining your route in and out. When you try the re-patching give us an update.

Mr G.

Tommr: i guess what we're all wondering is, since you have a Digital8 camera which i believe includes a firewire port, why aren't you capturing digital directly through a 1394 (firewire) port? Is it because you don't have a firewire port in your PC? If not, i certainly suggest you get one. They cost about $20 to $30 (USA $), and you'll need a firewire cable for about the same price. You'll find that digital captures are vastly superior to capturing analog through the Dazzle.

We got there in the end eh?

G

I'll look into fire wire this weekend. Any suggestions where to start??

tommr: well, first thing is to check your camera to make sure it does have a firewire port. I don't know that model series at all, but since it's a Digital8 i would assume it does. If it doesn't, then don't bother looking any further until you want to invest in a new camera.

Does your computer have a firewire port? Most newer models do. If not, pick up an OHCI compliant 1394 card. You should be able to find one in the $25 - $35 range. If it comes with a driver disk, throw the disk in the trash immediately. When you install the card let Windows use the Microsoft drivers. Last step is a firewire cable which you should be able to get from the same place as the card. There are two different types of connectors, 4 pin and 6 pin. Usually the computer will have a larger 6 pin jack and the camera will have a smaller 4 pin jack. Most consumer firewire cables have 4 pin on one end and 6 pin on the other.

Next time you start VidCap, click on Video and choose Microsoft DV camera.

The whole reason I got the Dazzle was to avoid adding a new card. Now I have to add a card? What do I have the frickin Dazzle for?

*sigh* Sadly, there are probably many thousands of people asking themselves the same question.

I'm looking at my Dell product guide and I don't see a fire wire port on the back or anywhere!