Making videos

[dingo]

I`ve been trying to download videos directly from my camera to computer . It`s a sony digital camera which uses those small tapes as well as a memory stick . I can put footage on the memory stick & then onto the computer no probs but the quality is not very good . When I try & download straight from the video tape the computer doesn`t even recognise the camera is plugged in . I`ve been told I need a fire wall card ( what ever that is ) but when I read the camera manual it says I need to download the software which came with the camera . I`ve turned the house up side down looking for the soft ware disc but can`t find it anywhere . I`ve had the camera about 3 or 4 years bit I`ve only had the computer a few months . Can any one help a computer newby here .

[sirAbe]

do you have a mac or a pc?

cause i use camcorders all the time at school on mac's and it's simple as pie.

basically u get a special cord (which sounds like one came with your camera) and plug it into your computer before starting the software and then plug into your computer and click import.

that's with IMovie.

ok so if you got a pc try this:
http://www.deskshare.com/vc.aspx

called videocaster.
it's free software.

here is how to import things:
http://www.deskshare.com/help/vc/ImportingFromDVCamera.aspx

so yea.
i think you will need a firewire port if you dont have one already.

hope this helps
Chris

[dingo]

Thanks Chris , I`ve got a pc . I`ve got a usb cable with the camera .
I`ll try down loading above software & see what happens .

[sirAbe]

np if it doesn't work out sorry.

also if it doesn't work out u should try going to like a tandy or harvey norman some place that sells em and ask them to help out.

They will prolly try to rip you off but try to be smart about it and think of what it will do if they try to sell you something that is.
you might not even need it.

Chris

[dingo]

Thanks again Chris . I`ve downloaded it but still getting " no capture device found "
Probably need another fortune in software .

[sirAbe]

bugger like i said take it down to tandy or something they will prolly be able to help you out.

[taxdodger]

how new is the computer?

i use a firewire cable{think thats what its called} i dont think you can download with a usb.i think they are for pics etc.

id go to a good computer store and im sure they can sort you out.

[dingo]

Thanks folks , I`ll drop into Tandy on Friday night . I think I need a fire wire cable .

[flatstick]

This probably doesnt help, but I have a TV card and it has Video input.
It is a Capture Device...I can plug my video player into it and capture the
video - or display it on screen. My TV card is a digital TV card, Is about 65 - 75
dollars from good Computer stores. [ I also get to watch Digital Quality TV
on it while reading these threads..]
But I'm sure there must be other ways of doing it.
Glenn.

[ZIPPER]

I had the same problem, then found that you need a video capture card.

Glenn

[Kahnx]

Dingo

Check that your computer has a fire wire socket! - need something to plug that new cable into. Others with more experience may be able to clarify this.

Kahn

[ravencsr]

Dingo, first of all try Sony's website for the software your missing. Sometimes they have the files in their support/download sections if they still support your camera.

If not, you might want to look at a video capture card like others have said.

eg.

http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/9576_PINNACLE_DAZZLE_DVCLIP_Capture_Card.aspx

This is a basic card and cost varies depending on what you get.

What you should be looking for if you get a card is bundled software that is included with it. This software normally has the drivers needed for your camera to communicate to the PC.

The software will enable you to connect your camera to the video card and 'capture' the video footage to your HDD, then you will be able to edit that footage however you like.

If your PC is new, then it should have no problems running the software. Older computers have trouble because the capture process is pretty CPU intensive.

........................................

I've just re-read your initail post. Is it a dedicated video camera you have or a camera that can record video ?

Reason I ask is I have both. A canon digital video recorder and a Kodak digital camera that can record video. The camera video quality is nowhere near the quality of the dedicated video camera.

If you only have the picture camera, I think getting the capture card would not help. The quality is dictated by the camera's capabilities.

If it is a dedicated video camera then yes, you probably need a capture card.

Have a look at this site. Its got heaps of great info on all possible solutions

http://www.videohelp.com/capture


Corey

[khan_01]

Dingo
If it is a Sony then you shouldnt need a Video Capture Card.
With the cable (USB) you have it should load OK, however if it is an older Sony, then you will probably get dropped frames.
A Firewire card will fix this.
If your PC is an older type, it probably doesnt have a firewire connection.
Also is your Operating system upgrades up to date? You may need USB 2.0 to effectively download.
For the drivers for your camera (if you cant download them from Sony), go to www.driverguide.com.

Hope this helps

[bidlynd]

Hey Dingo,

Do you still need help? if so tell me what you have, list below

1. PC operating system, I assume you have Windows XP.

2. Camera is a Sony but what model?

3. Does your PC have firewire port? and you will need a firewire cable. (see pic) look at back and front of PC

You can use USB but you will need specific drivers (software) to capture video from USB.

The simpliest way is a firewire port on PC a firewire cable and Windows movie maker (comes with Windows XP OS).

If you don't have much luck try and make it to PP on Sat and I'll bring my laptop for a quick demo.

Cheers Lyndon

[pldaniels]

I can confirm, as an owner of a Sony cam, that you will indeed need to use the firewire facility.

USB is only for the webcam facility or single-shot facility, in short, junk.

You will need a firewire card in your PC unless it already has a socket for it.

I download the videos to my linux box via firewire no problem - so Windows should also have no problem.

Be aware though, every 2~2.5 minutes = 1GB of space taken up, so have plenty of storage room! The DV data is BIG :)

You'll need something like Microsoft Movie Maker or similar to edit and convert the raw DV footage into something a lot more compact (like MPEG4/DivX).

Regads,
Paul.

[dingo]

The camera is a Sony trv18e from memory ( I`m at work ) Not sure if the computer has a fire wire port , probably not. I`ve got microsoft movie maker so thats a start .
Lyndon , I`m keen to visit pp again but can`t make it for a few more weeks at least .

[SuperHornet]

Firewire devices work much faster than Usb2, even though it is rated at 400Mbps compared to 480Mbps of Usb2.

Some Info.

FireWire, built from the ground up for speed, uses a "Peer-to-Peer" architecture in which the peripherals are intelligent and can negotiate bus conflicts to determine which device can best control a data transfer

USB 2.0 uses a "Master-Slave" architecture in which the computer handles all arbitration functions and dictates data flow to, from and between the attached peripherals (adding additional system overhead and resulting in slower, less-efficient data flow control

SH

[bidlynd]

Hi Super,

Thanks for the IT lesson 101. I think you have just completely confused Dingo. Bloody IT professionals :)

By the way hows the HET F18 going.

Dingo if you can make it, here is where you can by a firewire card http://www.newcomputers.com.au/productDetailed.php?categoryID=32&productID=15261&template=productDetailed
mention my name you might get a discount.

[pldaniels]

Yep, there's no denying it - FW400 devices positively outstrip USB2.... and there's FW800 as well which I need to get one day (though eSATA is removing the need for FW as an external HDD link).

Mmm... discounts bidlynd... didn't think those things existing in the IT world anymore. Good price on that FW card, nice to see it's supported in linux too :)

Paul.

[Twigga]

quick search in www.staticice.com.au (computer price search engine for australia)
reveals for $23 Skymaster 1394 Firewire 3 (2 Ex + 1 int.) PCI Card (with cable + software)
http://www.ddcomputer.com.au/des_1394_PCI_USB_Buy%20Skymaster%201394%20Firewire %203%20(2%20Ex%20%20%201%20int.)%20PCI%20Card%20(w ith%20cable%20%20%20software)__Online.html

not sure if it is the correct cable for you, just ask them before you buy. you need one like in bidlynd's pic which is a 4pin to 6pin cable.

if you dont have firewire (otherwise known as i.LINK or IEEE-1394) in you computer this is probably a good cheep way to get both card and cable, providing you have a free PCI slot in your computer.

I brought a HDD, RAM, CPU and a PSU off them last year and postage was only $12 (though i was in the same state...) and they were good to deal with, so you shouldent have any problems.

[Twigga]

looks like i type slow! :D

and i quite enjoyed superhornet's dialog on Firewire vs USB2. always argued with people that FW was better even though it had a slower rating. now i know the reason!

[SuperHornet]

Usb driver download
http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/DDSummary.aspx?Id=1656&Category=Handycam&Model=DCR-TRV18E

Patch
http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/DDSummary.aspx?Id=1453&Category=Handycam&Model=DCR-TRV18E

Twain Patch
http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/DDSummary.aspx?Id=50533&Category=Handycam&Model=DCR-TRV18E

Image Mixer Update
http://www.imagemixer.com/e/sony/imx15/dl.htm

If you need the the oringinal Image Mixer Software left me know.

SH

[dingo]

I just fitted a fire wire card to my computer & yipee it works . Thanks for every ones help here . Now I`ve just got to learn how to post them .

[Kahnx]

Let me know when you work it out, mate - I'm looking forward to seeing the vids of your DS laps. I can help you with putting them on either youtube or RCGroups - gimmie a yell if you need it.


Cheers

Kahn