Problems transferring DV from Sony Camera to Toshiba Laptop

[goldy07]

I am having plenty of problems trying to transfer DV from a Sony HCR 15E Handycam to a Toshiba Satellite A25 notebook (2.66 GHz, 512MB RAM, 40 GB HDD (30 GB Free)). I am using a PCMCIA Firewire Card with a NEC OHCI Driver and have tried to transfer DV from the Camera using Ulead, Movie Maker, Sonic and DVIO but they all freeze after approximately 6-10 secs of capture (the best I ever got was 72 secs).

It appears the connection to the camera is lost as the tape keeps playing in the viewfinder but the computer does not recognise it. I have ensured I have DMA switched on the HDD and have done everything from defrag to a full format (a real pain) of whole computer - same problems. Some posts suggest ensuring the IRQs are different for the firewire card and video - this is not possible on Toshiba laptops (not that I know of anyway).

I would appreciate any help someone might be able to give me. The drivers for the firewire card were auto found by Microsoft Win XP (Service Pack 2). I think I have tried just about every codec there is and have tried two different firewire cables of different lengths. I dont think it is the card because my ext DVD Recorder works through the same card and appears to work fine. Based on this, I think I am now out of options.

[troyvcd1]

You might try booting in safe mode. Or also reboot and then immediately start capturing. Or I would guess it is most likely a connection probably on the camera end not making good contact. Or could be a camera problem. Try to capture on another computer that is known to capture correctly.

[tmh]

I capture from my Sony DV camcorder to laptop set up just like you. Cheap firewire card and all - very few problems. Here is exactly what I would do if I were in your spot.

1. Download WinDV to use as your capture tool It's a very small program (compared to those system hogs you are using, except dvio, maybe. Capture as type 2. (anyone, feel free to tell me that DIVO is just as good as WinDV for system resource use because I don't use it).

2. Make SURE (task manager) that all unneeded programs/processes are closed and won't turn on during capture. ESPECIALLY anti-virus software. Disconnect from the internet if it makes you nervous. Also, screensavers, HD auto sleep mode, or anything else that can pop up - turn them off.

3. The Panosonic DV codec solved lots of issues for me - no idea WHY, it just works great for me. Make sure you choose it (or other proper codec) if you can. Also, many here caution against having lots of codecs you don't need hanging around. Why? Because THEY said so I guess and it works for me so THEY must be right.

4. Open WinDV and check settings

5. Camcorder on AC power, connect insert firewire card - do NOT connect Camcorder until laptop tells you it sees the card. Connect Cam via firewire then turn to "VCR" or play or whatever it's called on yours. Make sure computer and WinDV see it. Beging play and capture in WinDV.

If all that doesn't work, try "fiddling" with the connections, especially at the camcorder. Fiddling usually fixes everything, you know. If THAT fails, I guess you'll have to escalate to "whacking" the laptop, then kicking, smashing and finally throwing - exactly in that order. Good luck.

[goldy07]

Thanks guys for your help - have tried all your suggestions but couldn't get past about 8 secs of transfer. Have tried safe mode - no luck; tried immediately after rebooting - no luck; tried WinDV - no luck. Strange thing is that I can watch the entire tape in the preview window but as soon as I start transferring after 8 secs or so the computer loses connection and the program doesnt recognise there is a tape. I can close the program and get the 8 secs of transfer (will have to transfer 8 secs at a time - hmmmm fun). I have to reboot after this happens as the computer will not picj the camera up again. When I try to remove the Firewire card (using the safe remove option in windows) the computer locks up and I have to do a cold boot (dont want to do that too often). To me it has to be something to do with the Firewire Card. I will look at purchasing a new one at somestage. If you have any other thoughts - please let me know. Otherwise I will splurge out on a new card (fingers crossed).

[tmh]

hmmmm....SOunds like it's the card alright. I'd tryto uninstall it then re-install. Make sure to get any firmware/driver updates also.

Did you shut down all other apps? When you say you can watch in "preview" what program are you talking about? Wouldn't that indicate it IS getting in through the card? You know, maybe it has to do wih yor HD. Have you defragged? oh yea, I think you said you did. Is it an internal HD you are using? What is the drive speed? Do you have a program that can tell you the read and write speed of the HD?

If you have a firewire connection and can VIEW the video, maybe it ISN'T the card after all. It seems likely your HD can't keep up with the transfer rate and craps out. Are you SURE no other apps are interfering? like an antivirus/adware/screensaver/any othe MS product that interferes?

Sorry for the "thinkging out loud" train of thought post - just trying to figure it out.

[Safesurfer]

One other thing to ponder

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885222

[thecoalman]

hmmmm....SOunds like it's the card alright. I'd tryto uninstall it then re-install. Make sure to get any firmware/driver updates also.

I'll second that. I had a the same issue with a external firewire port on my comp that was connected to my audigy soundcard (by the vendor not me) Connecting the port directly to the mobo made it go away.

I'd also try the cam on different computer so you could eliminate it and the cable as the problem.

[goldy07]

Thanks everyone for your help - I still have not been able to get anything working. I downloaded the patch from Microsoft for SP2 but nothing improved. I didnt think this would work as the transfer didnt work under SP1 either.

I make sure no background programs are running (incld AV, Firewall, etc...). I even tried it by ending all the processes including some system processes from task manager.

Can anyone suggest a good program/util to tell me how fast my HD transfer rate is? I really hope it is not something like this though!! I will have to see if one of my mates can have a look at transferring using an onboard firewire card or firewire card on desktop pc. Unfortunately I dont know anyone personally who has done much DV transferring.

Thanks again for the help - I will keep you posted. If you have any other suggestions I am all ears.

[Rondo]

I regularly get this sort of problem with my Sony cam & Firewire connection if I have anything else going on such as background virus scanning.

Keeping my USB scanner is also fatal!

[This is a desktop set-up but I guess there may be some relevance]

Regards

[JWinspear]

Hi,

I've got a very similar sounding problem. I've just built (from components) a new PC, which is fairly decent spec - 3.2Ghz P4, 512 MB, 0.5 TB (100 MB ATA Boot, 2 x 200 GB SATA Drives - AV + Export) on a decent ASUS mobo.

I've tried Adobe Premier Pro v1.0, Movie Maker, and WinDV v1.2.3, and all 3 exhibit the same problem - record 2-8 seconds of video footage (via 1394 from a Sony PDX10P/Panasonic DV something 77) and then they all lose control of the device and lose input from the camcorder.

[ I have WinXP Pro, SP2 + 1394 patch for speed ]

I haven't checked the HD speed but that can't be the problem!

I can see slightly more in the preview windows (perhaps 5-15 secs worth of footage), and can capture a few seconds of video - but no more - therefore 1394 transfer is working (but still my most obvious culprit).

Anyone else got a good suggestion - I've got a Broadcast deadline to meet that I wish I hadn't committed to!

Thanks

James

[troyvcd1]

to JW. I would guess it is your sata hard drives. I got a P3 800 and with xp sp1 and I can capture all the video I want with no dropped frames using adobe premiere. Sorry I have no suggestions as to what you can do with your setup. Maybe you can make sure you got the right drivers installed for you specific firewire card.

[proxyx99]

It is quite likely that your laptop doesn't like the chipset of your FW card. Try buying the one with TI chipset (mine says in device manager "Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant...". Many manuf. design interfaces based on this standard and any other may not work properly... just a thought.