Capture Questions...Help

[911thor]

First, I have a 1.9 pentium running on XP pro. I recently bought a Sony MiniDV. I am trying to capture video using Pinnacle 8.5, AM capture, and the Sony (Pixela imagermixer), but with all these programs for capturing my video still comes out jerky with anything over 320x240. I am also using USB 2.0 as the interface, not Firewire. I have read USB 2.0 (480Mps) vs. Firewire (400Mps) is faster.

So why are my videos coming out JERKY?

Also, I can not capture anything above 640x480, why?

Help Please, running out of patience

[spectroelectro]

Probably limitations in your video capture software. I've heard some negative ocmments about USB video capture.
Here's a possible solution:
Download AVI-IO. It's a free plain-vanilla video capture utility that works with firewire. It might (might. mind you) work with USB 2.0.
Failing that, you must find better video capture software. Try finding the latest updated capture drivers from Pinaccle. If that doesn't work, return your setup for a DV capture setup. DV works superbly well -- I've used it for years and it gives me zero problems, ditto almsot everyone else who has used DV.
USB 2.0 is a relatively new video capture format and the USB 2.0 capture drivers might not have the bugs worked out yet.

[kazzer]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I dont think your Sony MiniDV has a USB 2.0 interface! It must be USB 1.0. Not suitable for DV. Try Firewire, the native interface for DV.

[911thor]

I never thought that the Sony MiniDV TRV60E might not have USB 2.0. It is a brand new camcorder and I figured it would have USB 2.0. How can I tell if it is 2.0 or 1.1? and if it is 1.1, is firewire inexpensive? and what do I need to look out for?

Thanks

[kazzer]

Camcorder manufacturers have not yet started implementing USB 2.0, so you were using USB 1.0, hence the poor quality as USB 1.0 does not offer the bandwidth (bit rate) for DV. A firewire card for your PC might cost you 20 dollars. Then youre sorted, your cam will have firewire (called i-link on sony's). By the way all firewire/DV cards are the same.

[911thor]

I will purchase one today and get back with you on my results.

[Hardcoreruss]

You can get a firewire card for about £10 and your camcorder should come with the cable.

[911thor]

That was it Firewire save me Thanks All!!