Canopus ADVC-100 Not Recognized by Movie Maker or WinDV

[molon labe]

After some good advice on this forum, I bought a Canopus ADVC-100 to convert my old VHS-C tapes into an AVI stream to my hard drive. However, neither Windows Movie Maker nor WinDV seem to recognize the Canopus. The facts:

* The VHS-C tape is fine (can see it on my TV and my PC--see below--when played through my VCR)
* Have tried inputting the analog video feed to Canopus via both S-vid and RCA (both cables are fine)
* Am outputting to PC via firewire (cable is fine...works fine outputting mini-DV tapes to same PC)
* WinDV says "Error: No video device found"
* When I connect FW cable with WMM open, it recognizes the connection and brings up the "Import Video" screen. If I choose "Import entire videotape", it tries to "rewind" (I know this function does not work with a Canopus intermediary)...if I hit play on the VCR while it is in this state, I can see the video feed on the WMM preview screen (but not hear the audio) but WMM is not importing the feed. If I choose "Import only parts" instead of "Import entire videotape", the hour glass pops up and WMM stops responding--have to reboot the PC to shut down WMM.
* I'm sure I have the settings and connections correct on the Canopus (very simple device)

Am I missing something here? Losing my mind and would appreciate some help. Thanks!

[molon labe]

Update--I am now able to import through WinDV Hi-8 tapes played in a Hi-8 CC running through the ADVC-110. So, the 110 appears to be functional. However, when I try to capture VHS-C footage via the 110, WinDV shuts down as soon as I click on "capture" (it sees and plays the video stream but shuts down when I try to capture). I've researched Vista compatibility and it seems that some people have no problem and others do. I'm running 32 bit Vista Ultimate. Thoughts on this?

Still no success at all with WMM.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Try turning off the device control option in WinDV. Also, you don't have any Nero, Pinnacle or Roxio cr@p installed, do you?

[bendixG15]

Got to ask - Did you properly configure WinDV ??
Those little check boxes do mean a lot .

[molon labe]

JM--Looks like I have Roxio Creator DE (must have come w/ the computer...have never opened it). I don't see an option to turn off (or on) device control in WinDV (there is a config screen but this is not one of the options). FYI, I've been manually controlling the VCR.

Bendix--I believe so...and fact that the capture is working fine with Hi-8 from camcorder via 110 would indicate it's configuring correctly, right?

Thanks for the help

[DB83]

It goes, really, without saying that if Hi-8 work then VHS-C should also work as both are analogue sources.

Just a couple of thoughts. I assume that you play the VHS-C through the standard VCR using an adapter. You mentioned that you have tried both RCA and S-VID but I trust not both plugged into the canopus at the same time. Never tried that myself but I know that my ADVC300 will assume S-VID as priority and two outputs from one source could cut one out.

I did a test earlier and I did manage to use WMM to capture footage. There is no sound at capture level. But there was at playback.

One other thought, simple as it may sound, have you inadvertingly pushed that input switch at the top of the unit from analogue to didital input. Could explain the lack of a device. And WMM actually switched from analogue input to digital on it's own so I had to reset the unit myself for other capture programs.

I do not use WinDV myself although many here swear by it. You could try another capture program such as Ulead. Never failed me yet.

[molon labe]

Update--I tried using Exsale DV Caputure Live and was able to capture the VHS-C converted feed, however the frame drop rate was high. Then tried Enosoft DV Processor and it works great. No dropped frames. Seems to be the answer. Thanks for the help.