Canopus ADVC-100 and TROUBLE - transferring PAL

[Northpole]

Hi !
Got my new ADVC-100 today, and am very, very frustrated. All the comments about it tells how easy to use, and how brilliant this thing are.

SO - I feel pretty stupid. - I can't get the thing to work !!!!

I hook it up via S-video and audio in from my VCR, and firewire in to my firewire card (long tim ago - bought it bundled with S7)

If it matters, my VHS tape is PAL.

NOTHING happens. Videostudio 7 tells that there is no device connected, and the ADVC have two blue lights and one red constantly lightning in the front.

What am I doing wrong ??

(And yes, the dip swith is set to PAL)

No picture no sound - no device recongnized by my system at all.

Any ideas, please ?????

[Northpole]

Still trying to figure things out. Not muchluck !

Beginning to think I have received a broken device.

BUT - come to think about it - since my programs says that "no device is connected" - does the ADVC-100 need a driver or something ???

It was nothing in the packet.

Please respond, if you know anything I should try.

Thanks

[RWANDREWS]

NO drivers are needed. Are you using WIN XP or 2000 ? When you turn on the Canopus you should see an icon in the taskbar & a DV compliant icon in MY COMPUTER. If you don't the problem is quite probably the firewire card. There are known issues with certain cards, see the company site at CANOPUS.

Some capture programs do NOT recognize the CANOPUS, notably Virtual DUB, because they don't recognize firewire. Use the freeware prog AVapp found in the tools section.
Make sure you're capturing as AVI type 2 if you're gong to use TMPGEnc as a decoder. TMPG doen't work well with type 1.
Of course you've read the booklet as far as the DIP switches and input selector...

Hold down the input selector for 20 sec, & you have MACROVISION defeat !

Have fun.

[Northpole]

Thanks for your reply, rwandrew ! Nice.

I use WinXP Pro.
I have checked My Computer - there's nothing "new" there - unfortunately.

And yes, the dip switches is all right !

I also suspect it could be something with the card - BUT

I have two firewire port on my computer. One is the card who followed when I bought Studio 7, and I also have an on-board firewire port on my motherboard - Asus P4E800. That should'nt work , right ???

After spending USD 305 incl. postage on this gem - it's kind of a pretty big downside so far......

HELP PLEASE - suggestions ?????

[RWANDREWS]

I am not certain, but I believe there is some kind of problem if you try to run 2 firewire ports.

Best thing to do : 1) Remove unnecessary firewire port/card,
2) try Canopus
3) Doesn't work- try removing other firewire & re-installing 1st firewire
4) Doesn't work- take Canopus to a friend's/work computer, try short capture, or see if it even is recognized.
5) If it is recognized, or if you can capture, problem lies in your system or configuration. If it does not work , problem is likely a bad Canopus box.
6) If you're not even seeing the icons for the AV device, the problem is system or hardware related, NOT software.
7) Check www.canopus.com site for updates, customer support, FAQs

Stick with it ! You WILL like this device, when you can get it to work !

[Will Hay]

Yes, stick with it.
Regrettably mine works flawlessley and I too imported it via a pal in Calif.
I just wanted to confirm the theory regarding two firewire devices, I can't run my external firewire DVD burner (my spare, for DVD-Ram) at the same time as my ADVC-100, only one will work at any given time.
Will

[Northpole]

Hi !
Thanks for all your reply !

Yes, I would really like to stick to it !

BUT - have tried almost "everything" now !
I checked in My computer today - right enough - the card who came with Studio 7 was a Texas instrument card.
So, I ran out to the store, and bought another firewire card. (No-name card)

Then, I did the following:

1) Disabled the on-board firewire card in BIOS
2) Disabled the Texas Instr. card in system>hardware, shut down the PC and removed the card.
3) So, I installed the new firewire card.

The new firewire card is "VIA OHCI compliant" (thats what it says in "system".

STILL DOES'NT working !!!

In fact, I beginning to think it's the ADVC anyway. You see - BOTH blue lamps on my ADVC is constantly ligts on, and so is the red lamp.
Does this means anything ??

I thought that only one blue lamp should be ligtning.

Also, there is no device showing in "my computer".

The dip swithes is set to 1=ON, the rest is set to OFF.

Please - more suggestions, I would really like to have this baby up and go.

[Northpole]

UPDATE:

Went to a friend to try there. Just the same, I'm afraid !

But....... he also had firewirecard w/Texas instrument chipset......

Anyway - not sure it's the firewire card either !


Does'nt seems right to me that BOTH the blue lamps on the ADVC should be active all the time. From what I have heard, only one lamp should be.

So, I have now tried with Texas instrument chipset, and VIA OHCI. Does'nt work.

PLEASE - can someone tell me what kind of firewire card to try that actually work with this thing ???

I would hate to return it. Firstly because I have read so much nice things about it, and secondly because I will lose a lot of money on postage both ways.

[rcb]

have you looked for help over in the canopus forums... ?

[Northpole]

Hi !
Forst of all - a BIG thank you to you all for support and suggestions !

Unfortunately, still trouble !!

The ADVC-100 is'nt even recognized by my system. There's nothing in My Computer, and all three lamps on the unit are on all the time. Can't be right ??

Another thing I've tried now: I connected the unit to my TV and hold down the selector - to maybe see the color bars.
NOTHING !
The TV does'nt respond either.

(And yes - I HAVE read over in the Canopus forum. I'm on page 15 now - so far - nothing.

Anyone - please ??

[Will Hay]

The three lit lights aren't right, but the moderator over at the canopus forum is very good, canopusBH he's called.
It's worth registering at the canopus site.
Will

[Northpole]

Hi Will !

Yes, he it !
I have read some great threads there, and he have certainly helped a lot of people.

I have posted a question there too.

Hope that helps - I'm totally stuck here.

[redwudz]

I wouldn't worry too much about that 'TI chipset' problem. That was something that concerned older Firewire cards and if I remember right, did'nt specifically apply to the ADVC-100. I have used mine with several different Firewire cards, laptop, MAC, and it hooks right up. Have you tried a different Firewire cable? I use the rear connectors for all connections. The small included adapter is used in the rear for video in. Usually with XP and SP1, the box just works with no problems. Try booting the computer with the box on, or turning the box on after booting. After you check with the Canopus forum and you still have no luck, you may have a defective box.

[geek rock]

yeah, sounds to me like this one is defective, fellas..

[Zetti]

I am confused.......have you tried if your Firewire card recognizes a DV camera ?

As far as I remember, there's a color led explanation at the manual, if all leds are on, it means the unit advices a problem......don't have the manual handy now.......

Have you tried maybe a NTSC test ?

Asking Canopus should be worthy.........

[Northpole]

Hi !
Well - I fear that the item or it's power supply is broken !

No response what so ever !!!!

I have tried three (!) different firewire cables, three (!) different firewire cards, - and on two different machines !

No luck what-so-ever !!!

My computer simply refuse to recognize the ADVC, and give no response at all.

I have tried my portable firewire HD and my digicam for all these cards and cables - they all work !!!

Frustrating !
I have read soooo much promising, and finally saved up for over 300 $ which is a lot of money for me - and zero !

Feel pretty stupid right now, sitting here - and I guess in such scenarios, it was'nt the brightest thing in the world to buy it from US. -

Well, my bad luck, I guess !

A very, very last try before I throw it in the recycler - Maybe it's just the power supply - do any of you know if I can try another "no name" power supply, or does this have to come "specially" from Canopus ??

I know some certain material will be broken if you power up with other than original adapters.

?????

[geek rock]

it should work fine with any generic supply i think. it's jsut a DC 5v input.

[Zetti]

Well, sorry if it's not what you'd like to hear, but once the leds light on, the power is OK......

[yodel]

I guess your Canopus is faulty, with nothing on input, only one
led should light, any other outside source has no effect on this.....

[budz]

I use a ADAPTEC 4300 FIREWIRE PCI CARD. It works fine with my canopus ADVC-100. Perhaps as a last resort try using a ADAPTEC brand firewire card. If it still doesn't work then RMA it back to where you purchased it from. The light thingy don't sound right. I turned mine on and those 3 lights don't stay on.

[Will Hay]

I'd also suggest you return it before you throw it away. 'recycle it', as you say.
I guess even the US has a returns poilicy longer than ten hours.
Even us backward Brits get a 12months guarantee.
Will Hay

[proxyx99]

Spare yourself the trouble, call Canopus tech supp. and claim it under your warranty, sooner the better.

[Northpole]

Weekend is gone, and so is my hope on this item !

I will return this item today, hoping for a replacement. I have also written to the seller and asked what I have to come up with extra to maybe trade up to the ADVC-300. Just to have the option.

To all of you - thank you so much for all your advice, support and suggestions ! You have made it easier. Even if the result still is negative - it's good to know to have a place to turn to for suggestions and communication.

Again - thanks !!!