HV20 capturing is driving me mad!

[deadlantern]

I've been searching the threads in this forum and elsewhere on the net and I have yet to find a solution, so I'm hoping someone can give me a handy dandy step-by-step method on fixing my problem...

Okay, I've got Premiere Elements 3.0 and a Canon HV20, my pc runs on XP. I want to get the HD footage onto my pc. Unfortunately, I plug in the camera, and nothing happens. Elements doesn't recognize the camera is plugged in, and neither does XP for that matter.

I've tried this HDVsplit program, and that doesn't recognize the camera being plugged in either. I've gone to both Adobe and Canon's sites, looking for some sort of driver or plug-in, SOMETHING, that will alleviate this problem to no avail.

A camera is useless if you can't get the dang footage onto your computer. Do I need a driver for it? If so, can someone point me to the link I need to download it?

I'm clueless when it comes to electronics, so anyone that can figure out my problem will get a nice shiny shoutout on my company's next podcast

confused and frustrated in Lincoln, Ne

[Soopafresh]

How are you connecting it to your PC ?

[MJA]

you don't need a driver for the cam if you connect using a firewire

[Soopafresh]

Maybe Firewire is turned off in the CMOS

[deadlantern]

i've been using the USB cable that came with the camera.

[Soopafresh]

Okay, and you know for sure the USB port you're connecting to works ? Do you have another port you can plug into ?

[deadlantern]

yep, i've tried every port...no go

[Soopafresh]

Okay. Just to rule it out 100%, can you plug another USB device into any of those ports and see if it works? Mouse, printer, whatever...

[deadlantern]

hallelujah!

I've got it working. Turns out, all I needed was to connect it firewire.

Soopafresh, you shall be getting a shoutout on the next Splattercast!

thanks!

[Soopafresh]

Cool. MJA deserves the accolades.

[deadlantern]

i'll both give you props.

The reason why i was freaking out is that we are starting a horror web series for our site and we haven't been able to get any of the footage we shot for the first episode onto my pc.

thanks again, to you both

[trabre2003]

Now I have the exact same problem they were having, except I have Adobe Premiere elemetns 2.0 instead of 3.0 Is there some sort of guide out there that will tell me why i can capture regular DV footage but not HDv footage? any help would be nice.

[dilly323]

You CANNOT capture video using USB with the HV20. You MUST use Firewire. The USB is for still photos only.

[edDV]

Now I have the exact same problem they were having, except I have Adobe Premiere elemetns 2.0 instead of 3.0 Is there some sort of guide out there that will tell me why i can capture regular DV footage but not HDv footage? any help would be nice.

I don't think Elements 2.0 has any kind of support for HDV. Do you see it in the specifications? I don't.

[zoobie]

yep...firewire

[trabre2003]

Yeah I was using a firewire. I think my program doesnt support HDV.

[dun4cheap]

Use the free hdvsplit it will work. You may need to move to different editing software for HDV. Best buy has the Pinnacle Studio 11 Ultimate for $69 normally $129. No rebate mess either.

[zoobie]

I heard the Canon HV20 comes without any software...unbelievable!

[racer-x]

That's not true........it comes with S/W on a CD. I never bothered to install as OEM S/W is usually crap anyway. You're better off getting a decent NLE that supports HDV natively..............

You can edit using free tools, but it's a lot more work. It can be done though with Avisynth + (Wax2 or Virtualdub) or do simple cut edits using tools like MpegStreamclip or AviDemux..........

[dun4cheap]

Zoobie, you seem to think alot of things are amazing yet your comments seem to be way of base. Aren't you the person that said that the HV20 dropped in half of its value right away?

Anyhow, alot of cameras come without editing software. Remember first off its a camera. Being able to edit footage from it or any other camera is separate feature. You seem to be someone who expects a new fridge to come loaded with the food.

There are a ton of free tools on the market, there are some basic NLEs, and then there are some more advanced ones. If you are not familiar with them then you may want to start testing trial versions before you make any large investments. Here are a few commercial ones you may want to check in to.

Ulead - Video Studio
Pinnacle - Pinnacle Studio (Standard, Plus or Ultimate Version.) The ultimate version is onsale for $69 at Best Buy, one heck of a deal and no rebate hassles. (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8304578&st=pinnacle+studio&lp=3&type=pro...=1172882142070)
Sony - Vegas (Different Versions available and can be found onsale)
Magix Movie Edit Pro
Avid Liquid - Prosumer


These are just some, there are a lot more. I do want to stress that editing Hi-def video requires a decent setup. You should make sure that your computer hardware is up to the task or it can be a frustrating thing no matter which software you choose.

[zoobie]

I said that because it's true...and because I'm pissed about losing half my investment within months...among other things

Evidently, this guy accidently didn't receive his software when he purchased the cam...google it

Some guy puts VS11+ on ebay at 2 in the morning for $24 a few times a week a week...It's full retail box with the proof of purchase removed.

It's handled all the HDV I've thrown at it very well...

[GasMan08]

I just recently bought a Canon HV20.

I am having difficulty capturing HDV content onto my computer.

I have connected the HV20 via a firewire cable, and have no problem capturing DV content.

I have tried the following programs, Adobe Premiere CS3, Sony Vegas Pro 8.0, Ulead Mediapro 8, and HDVsplit (I had minor success with this program, but my computer was dropping packets)

It is starting to frustrate me. I didn't buy a HD camcorder to record everything in SD, and whats the point this day in age of having a camcorder if you can't edit the content.

The only thing I can think of is my processor is not up to snuff. I am running a P4 2.66, with 2gb DDR and a ATI Radeon x1600 video card. I have plenty of hard drive space.

So like the title of this form... My HV20 is driving me mad.

[Soopafresh]

Yeah, it might be your Processor speed. Turn off your virus software while transferring. also, XP SP2 might need patching for 1394 firewire:

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

[GasMan08]

Thanks for the reply, I will look into the Windows update.

I am also looking at upgrading my processor.

[dun4cheap]

Your system should ok for capturing via firewire. When you tried HDV split did you turn off the preview? If not can you try that and let us know what you find out.

Also, is your firewire port on board and separate card?

Lastly, how do you intend on editing the content? Do you have an editor that supports HD?

[GasMan08]

In HDVsplit I had the preview off, and was "dropping packets" then I turned the preview on and it told me to turn it off, but i was still dropping packets.
The firewire is on a separate card, my board does not have a firewire port.
I have a copies of Adobe Premiere CS3, Ulead MediaStudio Pro 8, and Sony Vegas Pro 8.0, all of which from what I have read support editing HD content. I am in the process of trying to get Magix Movie Edit Pro, and Pinnacle Studio 11 as per your post Dec 21.

[GasMan08]

Ok, I have tried Soopafresh's suggestion in regards to my Virus Protection. I turned it off, I had fewer dropped packets, but the video when I played it the video and audio was choppy.

[dun4cheap]

Do you have a separate drive to capture with? Or are you capturing to the same drive that has your operating system on? See here is the deal, when capturing from firewire there should be very little processor usage since the firewire does not require the processor to handle the data. So you have another bottlekneck inline. I would check to make sure that your drives are running in DMA mode and not PIO mode. You can do this from the device manager by checking the eide drivers. If they have fallen in to PIO mode this would explain your problem. Also, when was the last time you defragged your drives? Lastly, you could run msconfig and disable everything that you do not need temporary to see if that helps.