Using firewire I get a blank preview screen (and no capture) when I try to capture high def video from my Sony HC9 which uses high def mini dv tapes.  If i set the camcorder to reduce the resolution to regular def then it works fine but it defeats the purpose of shooting in high def.  I have a new Dell 435T with the i7 920 processor, 9gb of tri channel ram and the ATI 4870 1gb video card. 

 Anyone else have problems with capturing in high def with their Sony HC9 or HC7?  BTW, I did update all my drivers including my video card but it still doesn't work.

Help please!

Check your firewire drivers. Update your chipset drivers.

I had the same problem with my ful size hdv tapes, go into the menu of the hc9 (I have a hc9 as well) and tell the camera you are recording 1080i do not have it set to auto, restart the camera with it conected the the computer and see if that helps,

 

if you are recording on mini dv make sure you reset the camera to dv.

 

Paul.

I set it to HDV output only and it still doesn't work.  The preview screen is still black and when I go to edit it says my *.m2v file can not be opened.

 

 

oh yes and I talked to Dell tech support and they don't recommend updating any device drivers except for the video card.  They said that many times things are worse when you update the drivers for firewire, dvd drives etc.

 

 

what capture card are you using?

what cabel are you using, is it firewire to usb or firewire to firewire?

Daninvan:

oh yes and I talked to Dell tech support and they don't recommend updating any device drivers except for the video card.  They said that many times things are worse when you update the drivers for firewire, dvd drives etc.

 

 

I strongly disagree with that, I have owned a Dell and I haven't heard anything as hilarious as that from them. I have updated my chipset, and built in device drivers more than once a month if new updates come out. Why would updates be available if it would cause problems? 

I updated my chipset driver as well as my video driver and it still doesn't capture.  It looks like i'm not the only one with this problem. Someone else is having the same issue with a Canon HD camcorder.

Daninvan:

I updated my chipset driver as well as my video driver and it still doesn't capture.  It looks like i'm not the only one with this problem. Someone else is having the same issue with a Canon HD camcorder.

Any chance that you could find out what firewire chipset you have on this Dell?

I've now sent a copy of my data from msconfig32 to the avid support person.  Has anyone been successful capture high def content from their mini dv camera from either Sony or Canon?  Is this really a problem with the Dell 435T machines or something else?

We have recently learned that this specific Dell system has issues with Studio 12. We are currently isolating the point of failure for the other issues that were brought forward, I'm not sure however if this one is among them.

Is there another program I can use to capture my HD content and then use Studio 12 to edit in high def?

when you connect the camcorder to the computer via your firewire, does the system pick up the 'HC9'? if your not sure check the device manager to see if it is listed there.

if your computer is not picking up the camera, no software will allow you to capture, because the system cannot see the device.

I have just tested my HC9 in both DV SP and HDV 1080i modes and I have no issues regarding capturing with s12u it worked flawlessly

Yes my system does recognize the HC9. Studio 12 does too!  However, when I go to capture, the preview screen is blank.  If I change settings on the HC9 to standard definition then it captures fine and Studio 12 recognizes the HC9 as a "standard camcorder" instead of "HC9". 

PHVIDEO:  what OS are you running?  I have Vista 64 which may be causing it. Or Pinnacle thinks it may be the new Dell 435T machines that are not compatible.  Many users of this machine are seeing the BSOD when going to "make disc". 

I am running xp 32 on a custom built machine.

I cant comment on dell cause i have'nt had any experience with them.

did you try to capture using the am capture tool from pinnacle?

What is the am capture tool?  I did use Studio 12 to try and capture but it doesn't like the HD mini dv through firewire.  Std definition works though but defeats the purpose of owning a blu ray player and HD camcorder.

This maybe in relation to the Firewire chipset not properly functioning in x64 Vista. I'm still looking for the thread that discusses this in detail.

click start > programs > pinnacle 12 > tools > AM Capture

try that

PHVideo:

click start > programs > pinnacle 12 > tools > AM Capture

try that

Pardon for not answering that part of your post. Thanks for stepping in on this one PHVideo.

Marc P.:

PHVideo:

click start > programs > pinnacle 12 > tools > AM Capture

try that

Pardon for not answering that part of your post. Thanks for stepping in on this one PHVideo.

Glad to help Marc P

Daninvan, did AM Capture work?  I am having the exact same problem as you, but I'm using a Canon HV20.  It is also a tape based HDV camera.  Same exact symptoms.  I tried AM Capture but got some strange error that I've not been able to decipher.  Might be something related to Direct X, but haven't finished researching the error.

BKZ are you also using 64bit Vista/Windows 7?

Yes, I am using 64 bit Windows 7. 

 

Hi just thought I would share - I have in the last few weeks captured HD 1080i from a Sony Z1 with no problems, the files are still on my computer and can be seen and played with Windows Media or Studio with no problems.

Today however I have tried to capture some more film using the same camera - but Studio will not now recognise the Sony Z1 and although it says it is capturing there is no info in the resulting file !

I note the suggestion about updating the drivers, but as I have windows update turned on do I need to do this ??

I am trying something else out, I will let you know how I get on.

If not how do I check the drivers out ?

Oh – System is Vista 64 Bit (wish I hadn't !! )

Cheers

Bob