Video Capture Application Doesn't See miniDV deck

lajeffk wrote on 9/8/2007, 1:35 PM
I am trying to use the Sony Video Capture application, which came with Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Version 8.0b.

The miniDV deck I'm using as a source-tape deck is a Sony HVR-M15J, which is an HDV-DV, DV-DVCAM playback/record deck. The deck is almost new, and is working (it outputs a picture upon playback, and that picture can be viewed on an external monitor).
All the device settings on the deck are set as Sony's documentation recommends for nonlinear edit applications.

Here's the problem: Sony Video Capture displays "No Device Connected" or "Please connect a device." I've tried unplugging and replugging the firewire from the deck to the computer; I've tried powering up the deck before I start Sony Video Capture and after I start Sony Video Capture.

I'm at a loss. Has anybody heard of this issue, and if so, what am I doing wrong or what is the workaround?

(Besides, I mean, using a camera as the source tape deck to get the video into the computer.)

Computer:
Sony Vaio TR3AP3 laptop, Pentium M @ 1000 Mhz; 1 Gb of RAM; running a fully updated and patched Windows XP SP2. Deck connects directly via firewire from its DV-HDV "iLink" out port to the iLink (small) port in the "Magic Gate" of the laptop.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

--Jeff

Comments

rustier wrote on 9/8/2007, 3:09 PM
Was your external video through coax, svideo, rca jacks?

have you tried capturing through your camera directly - just to eliminate the possibility of a bad firewire, connection, or corrupt software?

have you tried capturing with window movie maker (or any altrnate software package) using the same rig?

another wild stab at the dark - have you tried hitting the play button on the deck and then plugging the firewire in so that the computer senses data immediately?

If everything is working - yet not - I would guess you will need to call Sony about the communication problem

'just thinking out loud here - I am trying to recall if all I-link is 4 pin or if there are 4 to 6 or 6 to 6. . .?

Did the cable come with the deck?
take a look at this
4eyes wrote on 9/8/2007, 7:06 PM
Pentium M @ 1000 Mhz; 1 Gb of RAM; Little on the slow side ? Also trying to capture to a default 4200rpm laptop drive. My Intel 2.8 laptop just makes capturing hdv and I have to capture to an external usb harddisk.
You should be capturing using firewire and XP should register the deck as an AVC device. Seems you have already done this.
Under Options, Preferences uncheck to use the default capturing program. That is only for capturing DV.
There's an icon to capture when focused on the media project tab (bottom of interface).
When you click on the capture icon (or File | capture) the program should as to capture dv or hdv, or course answer hdv. Then click on the Device settings and in the tabs select the avc device.
You may have to turn off Use device control under the Device settings | preference settings and capture manually.

If all else fails try "HDVSplit" to capture with and insert the videos into VMS.
Actually HDVSplit uses the least amount of cpu power when setting preview to off so maybe you can connect an external monitor to your dv/hdv deck for monitoring.
Black Nova wrote on 9/9/2007, 8:54 PM
In order to get it to recognize my Mini DV camcorder, I have to shut my whole computer system down. Then I connect the camcorder (through firewire) if it isn't already, and turn on the camcorder to viewer mode. THEN I turn my computer system back on. It takes the video capture component a few seconds to then recognize that the camcorder is connected. It's a pain, but it works for me.