problems capturing using sony hvra1u and windows 7 pro 64bit

[valcansa]

I'm trying to capture video from tape from the sony hvra1u. I've connected the camera via using a mini b to usb cable connected to the I-link port on the camera. The pc detects the device (although it lists it just as a usb device and not a camera) I can plug in my sony handycam dcsrx45 and it detects it as a camera and it works fine. I've tried using power direct 11 64 bit and 32 bit as well as sony vega platinum hd ver. 10. My pc configuration is as follows: 3.6ghz 8 core amd processor - giggabyt ga-78lmt-usb3 motherboard - 32gb ram - ati radeon 3000 video card - 1.5 tb hard drive. I OS is current with updates.

I've tried the mini D to usb cable plugged in to the usb port on the left side of the camera (result - not detected in video editing software however it does still list as a usb device in the printers and devices). I also use the mini B to usb cable connected to the HDV/DV/Ilink port on the left side of the camera and I get the same result. What I've also done was to press the play button on the camera view screen and still nothing. I've plugged the usb cables in to the back of the pc (when I used the front ones I would receive an error message and no detection would take place). Also when I select capture on either power director or vegas, it doesn't find a device (on vegas, I even went into prefs and selected 1394 firewire and still nothing).

So.... I'm at a quandary. I'm not sure what the heck is going on especially when I can connect my sony dcsrx45 without a hiccup. I'm hoping that someone has a recommendation for what I can do (other than buy a MAC).

Thanks in advance

[hech54]

Leave "USB" out of the equation and it will work.

[aedipuss]

usb on HDV cams is only for downloading still pictures off the cams sd card. the way to capture HDV off that cam is straight firewire to firewire. usb converters don't work.

[valcansa]

I have ordered a firewire card. Thanks for the help. I'll update after I install the firewire card.

[turk690]

I have ordered a firewire card. Thanks for the help. I'll update after I install the firewire card.

That's good, but not just any firewire card will do. The degree of success to which camcorder will be recognized by computer and capture program and allow HDV file transfer with minimum of fuss greatly increases if

• the firewire card is specifically open-host controller interface (OHCI), not UHCI (universal, this is likely the case if it's a multi-port USB and firewire card)
• it's only a firewire card (not firewire-USB combo), and it uses a Texas Instruments (TI) chipset (not VIA, Promise, etc)
• it's firewire400, not firewire800
• appropriate stable drivers for your OS are installed (an issue with older cards that may not have 64bit drivers)
• a separate SATA (not USB) hard drive is installed in your computer to receive captured HDV files in
  

[valcansa]

Ok Here we go. I picked up a card that is just firewire, it's not via, promise or the other you mentioned (turks). I've got the drivers installed, the hard drive is on a separate sata channel. I connected the installed it, started up vegas, setup the video capture and PRESTO CHANGO it pulled the video off of the tape! Now what I noticed is that I had to select DV instead of HDV (when I select HDV it didn't recognize the camera, I'll have to check more tomorrow because I forgot the power cable for the camera and the battery went dead! DUH!).

Another thing. When I want to capture directly from the camera to the pc (without a tape), I assume that I will connect everything , select Capture video, select the camera and I can capture from the camera without a tape.

More updates about this post once I have the power cable attached.

So far, everybody that has contributed to my post has been great and extremely helpful.

[smrpix]

Most Sony cameras output DV or HDV or HDV downconverted to DV. It is a menu selectable item. In most cases when you switch, you will need to unplug the cable and start over for the computer to "relearn" what you are actually using. And of course, you can only output HDV if you've actually recorded HDV.

[turk690]

Another thing. When I want to capture directly from the camera to the pc (without a tape), I assume that I will connect everything , select Capture video, select the camera and I can capture from the camera without a tape.

Depends on the camcorder, and depends on if DV or HDV is selected. Sony consumer DV camcorders have a menu setting DV out enable, where it is on camera mode, no tape, power save disabled, and a valid DV signal is available streamed over firewire (in this case best you disable tape transport controls on your capture/transfer program). Not sure if same applies to HDV mode, pro and consumer models. Some Canon models want a tape in the deck, and it has to be running in camera record mode for DV signal to appear. Press stop & DV-out goes away.

[aedipuss]

the canon hdv cams i've used will transmit HDV over firewire without a tape. you can capture it with HDVsplit.