trying to capture w/ ADS Pyro A/V Link

s k r o o t a y p wrote on 2/6/2011, 6:48 PM
anyone remember these analog to digital converters? this thing always did wonders for me on my old computer which had a firewire input. never a problem. new computer only has USB ins (Pyro has no USB out) so i'm using an adaptor (firewire end out of Pyro into computer via usb end). Computer says "the usb device has malfunctioned and windows does not recognize it" tried turning things on in all different orders, tried taking away the cord and just using adaptor between Pyro and computer. same message. waited a month for this adaptor to get here so i could do this.

also, how do i respond to the message that says: "select a format: DV or HDV"? i'm using neither. i'm trying to capture from either a VCR or a sony hi-8 camera, both through the Pyro.

really appreciate any help with this,
david
VMS8plat, Win7/64bit

Comments

Steve Grisetti wrote on 2/7/2011, 5:44 AM
You really need a FireWire connection to capture DV-AVIs with a Pyro, David.

Fortunately, they're cheap (under $10) and easy to install. (Except on a laptop.)

Chienworks wrote on 2/7/2011, 8:34 AM
I got a generic 2-port firewire cardbus type 2 (PCMCIA) adapter for my laptop from newegg.com for $4. Works perfectly, doesn't even need any drivers. That's way easier even than installing one in a desktop PC!

But, yes, i wouldn't expect capturing to work without using a real firewire port. Even in a desktop PC it takes about 2 minutes with a philips head screwdriver to install one in a PCI slot. No drivers necessary. If the card comes with a driver disc, break the disc in half and toss it in the trash. Do not ever insert it into your CD drive.
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 2/7/2011, 9:42 AM
didn't realize this was an option. thanks! i'll give it a go.
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 2/28/2011, 4:38 PM
well, i ordered a nice little firewire card that has both 4 & 6 pin ins, installed it, Win7 recognized it and it was good to go w/ out any software needed.

1st test: hooked up old Sony hi-8 camera via 4 pin to 4 pin cable, it was recognized and i was able to capture from camera. sweet! new card works!

2nd test: VCR into Pyro via RCA cables, out of Pyro via 6 pin firewire into 6 pin of new firewire card. attempted capture of VHS to no avail. once again tried turning things on in different sequences and also tried 6 pin out of Pyro to 4 pin into new card. tried "reconnect to device" from Options. nothing happens. there is no message like before (see 1st post). this time it's just nothing. just "please connect a device".

i don't seem to remember any software with the Pyro. Wondering if it's a barrier between Pyro and Win7. Any ideas?

thanks so much!
david

Chienworks wrote on 2/28/2011, 6:13 PM
I'm guessing your 8mm camcorder is actually a Digital8, not a hi-8. Hi-8 wouldn't include a firewire port. Now, assuming that's true, look in the manual for some sort of "passthrough" mode. You may be able to connect the VCR to the camcorder's analog input jacks and use the camcorder as the converter. As a bonus it's probably far better quality than the ADS unit.
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 3/1/2011, 3:12 PM
you're right! digital8 (uses hi8 tapes). this is encouraging. forgot all about that option. found it on page 59 of the dcr-trv 320 manual.

still really curious why the Pyro is not responding if anyone can lend insight. i'd still like to use it for other apps.

thanks!
david
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 3/1/2011, 6:46 PM
everything is hooked up properly using the camcorder as a pass through. audio is coming through the computer loud and clear. but alas, video appears in preview box of capture screen for 1 second then vanishes and all the buttons in the transport incl "capture video" are grayed out and not accessible. tried the usual turning on in dif sequences and options> reconnect to device. anyone familiar w/ this scenario?

thanks,
david

EDIT: solved problem by clearing "enable dv device control" box under options> general preferences
Chienworks wrote on 3/1/2011, 7:06 PM
Turn off Options / Preferences / Enable DV device control.
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 3/1/2011, 7:10 PM
thank you!