Problem with capturing using firewire

[bandali]

Trying to capture using Sony DCRHC85 DV Camcorder that is connected to PC thru firewire cable and firewire port. Have downloaded both WinDV and scLive. From reading resources here it should be capturing. However both WindDV and scLive say the Capture Device available is the ATI Rage Theater Video Card which I used for my analog tranfer with breakout box.

What am I doing wrong with the connection. Shouldn't WinDV and scLIve just pick up the firwire connection and allow me to start capturing ?

[Richard_G]

Don't start any software, connect the camcorder to the Firewire cable, switch camcorder on (in playback mode), does Windows tell you it has found a new device and ask what you want to do with it? If it doesn't, that is the problem. Make sure the Firewire (IEEE 1394, i-Link) is enabled in the camcorder menu. If everything appears OK, see if either of your transfer software (not capture, capture is what you do with analogue video when you have to convert it from an analogue video signal to a data stream, DV is a simple file transfer) has a drop down to select the source. The ATI theater will be there but the camcorder should be as well.

[bandali]

Thanks my problem appears to be the firewire port. If I switch ports windows seems to recognize and it works. I have to keep switching ports.

[Richard_G]

I've come across this before. I've got three Firewire ports on my card but only two of them will recognise a camcorder. I've seen a few other posts about similar problems. But at least you've found out how to get round the problem.

[thecoalman]

Where are the ports located that work/don't work?

You can see if there is any immediate issues by going to start>control panel>system>hardware>device manager and see if there is any ? marks next to any of the devices.

[bandali]

I have two firewire ports and three usb ports on the same card. Both firewire ports seem to work, but you have to unplug and replug to get them to work.