Sony Vegas 5 question

fjacky wrote on 2/8/2005, 5:22 PM
Hello,

I just bought Sony Vegas 5 for capturing some VHS video and some DV, but it doesn't seem to pick up my devices. I am hoping that it is just a configuration problem but I'm afraid that my devices (Plextor PX-M401U and Canon zr80) aren't supported.

Is there any way I can find out if they are supported?

If it's not, will the support list continue to grow?

Thanks

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 2/8/2005, 5:30 PM
Your ZR 80 is absolutely supported. I don't know if that cam has passthru, I believe it does as it's predecessors did. I'm not sure on the Plextor.
How is it your computer isn't seeing them? Or is your computer seeing the device but Vegas isn't?
JohnnyRoy wrote on 2/8/2005, 5:53 PM
The Plextor PX-M401U ConvertX Digital Video Converter is a USB device. Vegas capture is for DV via firewire. I don’t think Vegas will see the Plextor PX-M401U USB device. Furthermore, if you plan to edit your VHS tapes, the Plextor PX-M401U was a poor choice. (sorry)

The Plextor PX-M401U ConvertX:
...offers the unique choice of three encoding formats: MPEG-1, for recording one hour of premier quality video on a VCD; MPEG-2, for up to two hours of high quality video on a DVD; and, for exceptional hard disc space-savings, MPEG-4.

Unfortunately, NONE of these formats is optimal for editing and ALL will result in re-encoding and significant loss of quality if edited. This device was designed to capture VHS tapes and burn directly to DVD with their included WinDVD software. In fact, you can probably only capture with the software that it came with it. (which is what I suggest you do for any tapes that you don’t want to edit)

If you want to edit your VHS tapes, you'll want to use a capture device like the ADS A/V Link or Canopus ADVC-100, both of which look to Vegas as if they are DV firewire devices. You should also be able to use the Canon zr80 as a passthru device to capture your VHS tapes if you want to edit them. To do this, plug your VCR into the video input of your Canon zr80 and capture with Vegas. You have to turn off Device Control in Vegas Capture for this to work (since its not really controlling a tape in the ZR80). If you have a lot of tapes to capture, the ADS A/V Link is a good investment to save wear and tear on your camcorder.

As for the Canon zr80 not being seen, as Spot said, Vegas should see it if you connect it via firewire. I’ll bet you are connecting it via USB which is why Vegas isn’t seeing it. Try using a firewire cable to connect it to your PC.

~jr
Sonic74 wrote on 2/14/2005, 11:53 AM
Hey, JohnnyRoy - what have your experiences been with the ADS A/V Link versus the Canopus ADVC-100? I've read a bunch of reviews on-line about the ADS A/V Link and there seems to be a lot of complaints about dropped frames and the like. I haven't found any similar negative feedback about the ADVC-100...I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $150 to go that route or if the A/V Link will work just fine.

If it helps, I'll be capturing video from VHS and editing it. Thanks in advance for any guidance!
Jsnkc wrote on 2/14/2005, 1:59 PM
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