i have the Recompress Edited Frames option checked. actually, without it checked, the preview goes back to Vegas' preview window on the monitor. i also have the correct video device chosen.

like i said, i do get a still image preview on the monitor when i'm paused on the timeline, and even that only comes up after a few seconds. but when i start playback, after a second or two of blocks jumping around, the monitor just goes to blue screen, with the occasional frame popping up.

it seems like the firewire card is not pumping data fast enough for the camera to keep a signal.

there doesn't seem to be much help on this topic, however, i've searched every thread on this forum and it seems i'm not the only one that's had this problem.

i've seen something about PCI latency settings, which i don't know how to change or set. and the knowledge base says something about Bus Mastering (http://www.sonicfoundry.com/support/SupportProduct.asp?FamilyID=30&Family=Vegas&TopicID=48&DetailID=612). my video card has no such setting and i can't find it anywhere else.

it's a brand new custom built machine:
Mobo: Tyan Tiger MPX
Procs: Dual Athlon MP 2400+ (Palomino) 2.0GHz
RAM: 1GB Kingston PC2100 266MHz DDR DIMM ECC
HDD: Maxtor 6Y200P0 200Gb 7200Rpm ATA/133 8Mb buffer
Video: 3Dlabs Wildcat VP760
Firewire: Adaptec FireConnect 4300
OS: Windows 2000 SP3

somebody please help...this is very frustrating!

thanks in advance.
-scott

Anytime I see anybody mention Adaptec, my blood pressure jumps 20 points.

They've been known to dance to their own drummer. I would suspect the firewire card. Rule it out as a problem source. Vegas is fussy in regard to wanting a 100% compliant IEEE 1394 firewire card. If the firewire is off spec just a little or some werid driver gets installed then you can see the problems you have. Not saying it is absolutely for sure the firewire card, rather RULE IT OUT as a problem before looking elsewhere.

Case in point I too just build a new system a couple months ago. I used the built-in firewire feature that was included on the ASUS P4P800 Deluxe motherboard. It worked flawlessly as far as capture, previewing on the external monitor. However, it did the blue screen number trying to print to tape. Disabling and putting in my tried and true SIGG firewire card instant success. No more blue screen.

You could try moving the FireConnect 4300 to another slot. It might appear that you have a defective card and a working one when you boot up again. Delete any duplicates from the control panel - device interface - if you attempt this route.

Try to keep the firewire card away from either physical end of the PCI64/PCI32 bus (whichever might overlap resources with the Wildcat).
Have you got the 4-in-1 (or whatever driver set on 760MPX ?) installed?
Are you using anything on the USB port provided with the motherboard (most 760MPX I've seen bypass this in some way as it was messed up in the original design and steals some of the PCI bandwidth at all times, unlike 760MP chipset).

The Tiger is fine for multimedia - just that you might have to tweak it some to get the most out of it for DV work

If you can acquire video on the card - it is likely you can get this to work.
When you preview or export, your computer performance is needed.
Check for firewall or virus protection and have this removed whilst you are editing - even if you have to unplug the web to satisfy your feeling of safety.

Are you using Adaptec drivers or generic microsoft OHCI drivers (not sure if that subtlty is possible with this particular card)?

Lastly, DirectX8.1 or 9 can be of benefit in a firewire environment.
You can check for some of the more advanced elements in my post using the
Program Files - Accessories - System Tools - System Information (tools-windows-directx diagnostics).

Microsoft have a tool called DV-app, you could try to see if a print-to-tape using that is better behaved than the preview in Vegas. How is the print-to-tape in Vegas for pre-rendered media? If that goes ok (which it should as your acquisition was OK) - then you have something hobbling the performance - almost without question.

Caveat emptor, and good luck Scott.

I'd recommend forcing the card to use the Microsoft OHCI driver, if possible. That cleared up a bunch of problems with my Via-chipset firewire cards.

Your GL1 isn't a European model with DV-in disabled by any chance, is it?

XM2 is the PAL European version. And Hallelujah . . these XM2s don't fall foul of the "disable" nonsense. My is a PAL XM2 DV-IN is enbaled, AV-IN is enabled. I can PTT to my XM2. I can Copy from my PAL VHS VCR that is, AV-IN. I can also use the PAL XM2 as a DV>AV AV>DV convertor too! - I do love my XM2 - love it . . love it . . love it . . . GL2 is the NTSC US version.

Grazie

no, this is a US version GL1. as i said before, the DV in will work for a very brief moment, then eventually the image becomes pixellated beyond recognition, then eventually the firewire connection appears to lock up (leaving a blue screen), requiring a reset of the camera.

billyboy, i thought you were going to be the man when i read this post. i was waiting for someone to suspect the firewire card, as i suspected that's what the problem was. i purchased a SIIG firewire card over the weekend and to my shock and awe, get the same results. moreover, i tried the same setup in another machine and get the same results again!

the only thing that's given me any change in results at all is a change in drivers. i had "Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller" as my driver for some reason. i just changed it to "OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller", and got somewhat better results (simply more time before total blackout of the picture.)

i'm at my wits end here guys. i'm ready to go back to premiere!

thanks for all your help so far -- please keep trying, i feel like we're getting closer.

scott

would i get any benefit/change in results from using Windows XP instead of 2000?

Do you have another Firewire in the computer? You can check "Device Manager" and look for IEEE 1394 and see if you have more than one entry.

My motherboard (VIA P4PB/400) and video card (ATI Radeon 8500 DV) both have built-in 1394. I had all sorts of problems capturing until I disabled 1394 on the ATI video card (I actually had to set a jumper switch on the card -- I didn't think cards had jumper switches anymore, but this one did).