Problem Capturing Stan. Def. mini-dv via A1..

jrazz wrote on 7/16/2006, 1:34 PM
I want to capture using my hvr-a1u. I cannot get Vegas to recognize the cam either in internal or external capture. I can capture HDV fine using HDV Split and sometimes using the external capture. I have not tried to capture Standard Definition before using the A1. I would use one of my standard def cams but they tend to display more noise.

In short, how do I capture standard def from my A1 into Vegas?

The external capture screen shows a blue preview screen with the word "Unloaded" on it.
Onscreen in the camera's LCD panel it shows DVin i.Link.
If I have the cam off and start up Vegas and turn on the capture program and then turn on the camera, the record button will appear functional but when I click on it, nothing happens.
Any ideas?

j razz

Comments

farss wrote on 7/16/2006, 1:44 PM
You need to get into the menu in the A1 and tell it to stop looking like a HDV camera / deck.
jrazz wrote on 7/16/2006, 1:52 PM
Actually, I got it to work. I just restarted Windows.
I did not change any setttings on the camera. It actually captured in the external capture program.
I should know by now- to get anything to work in windows, I must first restart :)

j razz
tumbleweed wrote on 7/16/2006, 4:25 PM
..I have an HC1, & it has an auto setting mode in the same playback menu, to output DV or HDV, whichever is recorded on the tape..

& you're supposed to re-initialize the ilink connection when you make changes, which I suppose, is what happened in a roundabout way when you restarted Windows.. : )

jrazz wrote on 7/17/2006, 7:08 AM
What is weird is that I can restart the system, run Vegas then turn the cam on and capture. The moment I change tapes or turn the cam off, I lose it. I have to restart the system again. The screen on my cam says DVout as it is supposed to, but it changes to DVin once I change tapes or turn it off and turn it back on. I don't know how to force it to say DVout.
As of now, I can restart and capture each tape, but surely I am missing something obvious.

j razz
Tech Diver wrote on 7/17/2006, 7:41 AM
I too have an A1 and the switch from DVout to DVin is perfectly normal, as the 1394 iLink is a bidirectional interface.

When the A1 is CAMERA mode it will say DVout (or HDVout) because the camera is an information-gathering device, who's data can be sent OUT to a recording device.

When the A1 is in PLAY/EDIT mode it will say DVin (or HDVin) because it can record data coming from a deck to the A1. However, the moment you push PLAY, it will say DVout (or HDVout) because you are clearly sending data to another device.

The issue about restarting your system is rather strange. I have not experienced this problem at all. As soon as I connect my cables, I always have access to the A1 regardless of the order I connect and turn on the camera. I don't know if this has any significance, but I am running Win2k Pro SP4.
jrazz wrote on 7/17/2006, 8:31 AM
I don't have any issues capturing HDV in HDV Split. I sometime encounter "device not found" errors when attempting to capture via Vegas internal capture. I have never attempted a standard def. capture from either of my A1's. I have never used the in camera downconvert and captured via vegas either.
My other standard def cam's are recognized fine with no problems, but they are getting worn and show more artifacts during capture, so I don't really use them.
I am running XP sp2.
As for the work around that is specific apparently to my system, I am fine with doing that, I just wish I understood it.
Thanks,

j razz