Can't capture or view video in preview window

[JMM]

When my camcorder is connected to my PC with the DV cable I am unable to view the video in the preview window. This goes for all 3 video capure programs I have tried, VideoStudio 7, ImageMixer, and Windows Movie Maker. I am able to control the camcorder (play, stop, rewind...) with the PC but I just can't see the video. The preview window remains black and I'm not able to capture any video. To avoid the obvious reply questions: YES, the "preview video while capturing" box is checked. YES, the camcorder is set to "Play" mode. YES, the PC does recognize that the camcorder is connected. I'm running WinXP.

I originally thought I had a bad 1394 card or cable, but that doesn't seem to be the case as I've tried 2 cards and 3 cables only to get the same result.

I do not experience this problem on my Win2000 machine, just my XP machine. So I know the problem does not lie in the 1394 card, the cable, nor the camera itself. The problem seems to be specific to WinXP. The drivers for the 1394 card and the camcorder all seem to be current, as Windows will not let me update them ("A sufficient driver is already installed . . . blah blah blah").

I am completely stumped.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Extra info: camcorder is a JVC GR-D72

[BJ_M]

it has to do with overlay in your display drivers ..

[proxyx99]

Reinstall Video card drivers/DirectX. Try Scenalyser demo and their suppost for ideas in case of failure.

[JMM]

BJ_M: Thanks for the tip, would reinstalling my video drivers eliminate the overlay deal? I'm not familiar with the term.

Proxyx99: I've already upgraded my DirectX to 9.0b, but I haven't yet reinstalled the video drivers. Both replys dealt with video drivers, so I'm getting more optimistic about this now. Scenalyser huh, I'll try it, thanks.

Thanks to both of you guys.

Everyones else: your ideas are still more than welcome, keep 'em coming.

Thanks again.

[rdwalt]

JMM,
Did you get his problem fixed yet? I am having the exact same problem. I have a JVC GR-D33 mini DV camcorder and recently built a computer (ASUS P4C800-E Delux mobo, Win XP Pro SP2) I don't have this problem with my other computer running Windows ME. I recently read at www.camcorderinfo.com that the underlying problem is with the JVC camcorder firewire port. This person said that the JVC IEEE_1394 port was designed to work with the TI Chip. I believe this is my problem as my motherboard uses RealTek chip. I am unsure how to resolve this other than to buy another firewire card that uses the TI chip. One I know of is Dazzle DVClip by Pinnicale.

Another problem/solution which I haven't confirmed yet is to make sure the camcorder's AC plug is used instead of battery and make sure the camcorder is turned on first before plugging the firewire cable in. I'll repost tomorrow when I find out more.

[proxyx99]

If this is a chipset incompatibility as you may be indicating the quickest and surefire solution would be to get a PCI FW board with a TI circuitry. If it works your suspicion would be confirmed if it doesn't then you need to have a deeper look into your OS.

[kupton]

If it helps I'm having success with my new DV cam.

I bought the cheapest firewire card I could find and it worked perfectly with my JVC GR-DX77. It looks like it has a VIA chip on it. Also I have a Soyo KT-600 Dragon plus MB running XP pro, SP2.

Here's a link to the firewire card: http://tinyurl.com/3k5yf

[pchan]

@ JMM,

You said that your Win2000 machine is OK. But not Xp machine. Please check if the DV codec install in your Win2000 machine is in your Xp machine also.

[rdwalt]

pchan,
Can you give details on how to see and change the DV codec?

kupton,
Thanks for the link. I am going to use the FWire card I am using in my Dell WinME. I think it's an Adaptec Fireconnect 4300.

Also having the AC plugged and the camcorder on before plugging in fwire didn't make a difference.

[pchan]

For WinXp,

Start > Setting > Control Panel > System
At System Properties Window, click hardware tab.
Select Device Manager and at Device Manager window, click + sign at Sound, Video and Games controller.
Right Click Video Codec and select properties. At the Video Codec Properties window, you should be able the see the DV codec if it's install. If there isn't you need to install it. If you see it, go to your capture program and set it to the proper DV codec.

[rdwalt]

Thanks pchan,
I'm hoping the codec is there because if not, 'install it' doesn't really help. Do you know where you would go to set Windows Movie Maker 2 to correct codec?

[pchan]

I never use Window Movie Maker before. Try using DVIO to transfer your video clips to your hard disk.

[proxyx99]

Thanks pchan,
I'm hoping the codec is there because if not, 'install it' doesn't really help. Do you know where you would go to set Windows Movie Maker 2 to correct codec?

Normally you do not need to do anything, WMM will pick the right settings automatically. If your capture device (DV cam or similar) is detected you will be able to select options in WMM from drop down boxes. Keep in mind that only WMM compatible cptions will be displayed.

[kupton]

JMM,

FYI I'm using the Panasonic DV Codec and capturing with WinDV. Both can be found in the tools section.

Let us know if changing your firewire card solves the problem. It would be interresting to know if certain firewire card chipsets work or not.

[rdwalt]

Success!!!

After weeks of trying to figure out why I couldn't transfer/capture my DV video to the PC I've finally figured it out. The computer would recognize the camcorder and I could control it (play, rw, ff, stop, etc..) but the preview window would be blank and would not transfer using a number of different software.

The basic problem is the IEEE1394 port on the JVC miniDV camcorders are designed to work with the TI chipset built into the IEEE1394 PCI capture cards. Once I installed a card with the TI chip-set the problem was solved. The card I used was the adaptec fireconnect 4300 which does in fact have the TI chip-set.

[proxyx99]

If this is a chipset incompatibility as you may be indicating the quickest and surefire solution would be to get a PCI FW board with a TI circuitry. If it works your suspicion would be confirmed if it doesn't then you need to have a deeper look into your OS.

Will I be allowed to share at least a portion of your SUCCESS? Haven't had too many lately...