Need help badly

Shredster · Post by **Shredster** » 09 Jul 2004 15:36

Ok, i just bought a camcorder (sharp viewcamZ vlz3u)

Ok, so then i went outside to do some recording on the minidv tapes.

Then i went to load the video into my computer...

Ok, well heres where i stand:

I've installed the driver, the usb cable is hooked in, the camera is on, and for some reason, when i open windows movie maker and say "capture from device", it says i've got nothing plugged in.

Therefore, i'm stuck and i can't find out how to load videos onto my computer.

Can someone helP?????

THanks

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 09 Jul 2004 15:54

Did you select your camera as the input device?

ericksonj · Post by **ericksonj** » 09 Jul 2004 16:31

USB is typically not used for digital video transfer. The cable is too slow to transfer real time high quality movie clips. Usually the usb port is for picture transfer from a memory stick, since most digital video cameras also take still pictures. I'm sure your camera has a dv port on it, and it is for use with a fire wire cable. You must have a firewire card installed on you computer to interface with it.

When I got my camera I had to go through the whole crap of buying a firewire cable and firewire card, but after that it was smooth movie making

Look through you manual, or on your camera for the DV port. Almost ALL cameras use firewire for the transfer.

Hope this helps chris... BTW how is the shred coming? I am almost off my injury.

shaggster · Post by **shaggster** » 09 Jul 2004 16:44

i would go to downloads.com and download the latest version of wmm then when you open it theres an option that says import video

ThomASS · Post by **ThomASS** » 09 Jul 2004 16:48

i didnt know that about the usb connection. Thats how ive been doin it for my videos...but i never really worried about high quality picture for my vids. i always wondered why my pic sucked though

ShredStylez · Post by **ShredStylez** » 09 Jul 2004 18:13

Try getting a digital video cord, that is if its a DV cam.

Shredster · Post by **Shredster** » 09 Jul 2004 20:30

James, how much is all that going to cost???

O and yes, i have a dv port. I have no firewire cable? (Price?) and i am unsure about a firewire card (probaby dont have that either), price?

I'm hoping its not like 100 dollars...i already spent 330 on this cam, i really didn't want to spend more than that.

Thanks though, but if you could get back to me on prices, i'd sure apprecitate it, or else i'll just look online for them...

pillar · Post by **pillar** » 09 Jul 2004 20:54

I'm not the right person to answer your question about the prices, but about the firewire card - check your motherboard if it has a firewire connection already. Mine does and a lot of new motherboards have it integrated. If you have an older computer or something, then you probably will need to get an extra card for it. The cable isn't that expensive. They cost like 10€ in here.

The good thing is that once you are set, firewire is really nice. It's easy to use, has a good quality and it's fast as well.

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » 09 Jul 2004 20:55

You usually get the firewire cable when you buy the card. I am guessing it should cost you no more then $40.

Shredster · Post by **Shredster** » 09 Jul 2004 20:56

I would still like to know why my computer doesn't recognize the camera when i try to capture from video...

I mean, if all that usb does is make things slower with less quality, it should still recognize my camera, right?

All things said, i am going to get the newegg firewire card with the cable that comes with it...

Thanks heaps though guys...

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » 09 Jul 2004 20:59

It should recognize it cause I have talked to people that use usb. But you will be happy with firewire. Really fast and really clear videos.

Shredster · Post by **Shredster** » 09 Jul 2004 21:38

Firewire card and cable is on its way...i predict it will be here no later than next friday, thanks you guys!

HackyRichard · Post by **HackyRichard** » 10 Jul 2004 05:19

Hey Chris,

Even though you're already getting the firewire setup (wise decision), you should still be able to get the usb connection working, make sure you follow all the instructions about installing the drivers and stuff to the letter (this is one case where reading the instructions is a good thing).

With my camera (sony trv18E) there is an option in the menu to switch usb streaming on so that data is transmitted thru the usb cable you should have an equivalent setting somewhere on your cam's menu, find that and that should hopefully solve that problem ...

Also this will sound silly but make sure you're in playback/vcr mode ...

If all else fails read the manual

12 days to Montreal

Fu Xi · Post by **Fu Xi** » 10 Jul 2004 05:47

to capture u have to put the camera in vcr mode (play back... whatever u call it when u watch a video on your camera)

maybe thats it?

Shredster · Post by **Shredster** » 10 Jul 2004 20:02

I've definatly read the manual...and all they say about usb cords is "still pictures and a memory card" which i don't have a memory card...

Makes me wonder if the cam can even transfer video using the usb...who knows...

Its no big deal though, this firewire should work right up (though i can't help but be a bit nervous)

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 10 Jul 2004 21:39

A firewire card will come with software and usually the price of the package is based mostly on the software. What you want is the cheapest package you can find, because the firewire card is the same in all of them, it's the editing software that determines the price (and the software that comes with a firewire card is probably not very good). It cost me $80 Canadian for my firewire card and cable (oh yeah -- make sure it comes with the cable too..) and that was with some crappy program as well.

Shredster · Post by **Shredster** » 14 Jul 2004 11:56

Alright guys, my firewire card is in. Thanks a bunch again!