Noob question: DV capture using onboard firewire/ilink port?

[festi]

This seems like a noobie question but I haven't found it anywhere on the site...

I have an ASUS PS48x mobo (which includes an onboard firewire port) and a sony DRV miniDV. I've read through capture guides on this site, installed dv codecs, plugged the cam into the firewire port and... so far I can't get any capture software to recognize the cam. XP makes a nice ding sound when I turn on the cam, so I know that at least the cable is working. I've also done some USB captures using the Pixela software that came with the cam, but those look like crap.

Before I go much farther than this, is it even possible to capture DV from a cam without a capture card via firewire? If so, is it a good idea quality wise? I don't mind buying a capture card, but I don't want to if it turns out to be a redundant purchase. thanks-

[redwudz]

No, you don't need a capture card for DV, just a firewire port. I'm not sure what your problem is, I don't use a DV camera. Usually when you connect a DV device, it shows a picture of a camera under 'My computer' Maybe someone with camera experience can give you some help..

[MachineMan]

Yes, you only need a firewire port which it seems you have. This may be a software issue. I have Win XP and Ulead VideoStudio7 and it recognizes my Sony Di8 cam after I plug it in.

Firewire is the best, it will enable you to control your camera's functions(play, stop...) from the captureing software on your PC. Also the quality is better then USB.

If you have WinXP then you probably have WindowMovie maker which came with it. Try useing it and see if that works. You can also get a free MovieMaker upgrade from the Microsoft site.

[mikesbytes]

I agree, it is probably a software problem. Try using a simple capture program like Divio (freeware) to prove the link is working correctly.

[FulciLives]

I agree, it is probably a software problem. Try using a simple capture program like Divio (freeware) to prove the link is working correctly.

That would be DVIO and yes it is FREEWARE and let's you specify DV type 1 or DV type 2 which comes in handy since only one of the two will be compatable with VirtualDub should you want to use that.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Mr. Twister]

I have the exact same problem with an Epox 4pea+ board. I have a Sony cam that works just fine on other computers. Like you, there is power to my cam but it is not recognized in device mgr. I have searched far and wide for an explanation or fix but to no avail. I'm running W2K. I sure wish someone would come up with some answers. I have tried different drivers but that makes no difference. I am convinced it is a motherboard issue since the same setup works on my other computers.

[FulciLives]

I have the exact same problem with an Epox 4pea+ board. I have a Sony cam that works just fine on other computers. Like you, there is power to my cam but it is not recognized in device mgr. I have searched far and wide for an explanation or fix but to no avail. I'm running W2K. I sure wish someone would come up with some answers. I have tried different drivers but that makes no difference. I am convinced it is a motherboard issue since the same setup works on my other computers.

Simple cheap fix ... if you have a free PCI slot ... is to just buy a PCI FIREWIRE card. I understand most are $30 at most.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[indolikaa]

I'm running W2K.

Do you know what Service Pack you are running?

Try DIVO or WinDV and see what happens. If you have no success, I can tell you that I had DV problems until I installed Service Pack 4. It's a monster download but it stabilized a lot of finicky problems I was having.