Camcorder to PC via USB

Author
Discussion

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Sunday 26th October 2003
quotequote all
Right, got my sparkly new JCV GR-DX95, installed all the software as instructed, device drivers etc. (OS = Windows 2000 Professional)

Can't get the software to recognise that the camera is plugged in though The camera comes up with a 'PC' logo showing that it reconises the USB link but the PC doesn't have it in the list of USB things plugged in.

Anyone got any bright ideas? Am I being a numpty in some way? T

roop

6,012 posts

286 months

Sunday 26th October 2003
quotequote all
Ted,

Did it say new hardware found when you plugged the cam in...? Invariably these things have to have the drivers installed before you connect the hardware. If you still have no luck, try reinstalling by disconnecting the device, going into Control Panel -> Add/Remove Hardware then Uninstall a device. Turn on show disconnected deviced (I think - a while since I did this) and then scroll down looking for your hardware where you can select to uninstall. For the reinstall, add the driver from the disk first.

If it's a driverless thing, I haven't a flippin' clue I'm afraid - unless it just comes up as another drive in the explorer...?

Roop

robp

5,770 posts

266 months

Sunday 26th October 2003
quotequote all
What software is it Ted? I had a similar problem with mine....

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Sunday 26th October 2003
quotequote all
Ok, made some progress. Used the MS Video Capture thing and that successfully captured the film.

So, it would appear that it's the bag o'shite software bundled with the camera that is the problem. It's something called Pixela Imagemixer and it just says 'Camcorder not found' when I click on the 'USB' button. Not very intuitive piece of software

robp

5,770 posts

266 months

Sunday 26th October 2003
quotequote all
I used something called "direct imaging" or something like that.
Installed the software, all good, photos transfered OK etc etc.
When I came to try and bring up images direct from the camera it was not having any of it. I ended up uninstalling it and starting again, only instead of just letting the CDROM auto install everything i did it myself using the "add hardware" bit and it seemed to work.

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Sunday 26th October 2003
quotequote all
Had some offers of help with other software so I'll hold tight until I get my hands on something decent.

Thanks

ErnestM

11,621 posts

269 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
No IEEE 1394 (firewire)? I find that this is the easiest to use method of transfering digital video. Normally USB is just used to transfer any still pictures (at least that is true for my Sony DCR-PC115).

On the software front, Adobe's Premier is about the best (if not a little pricey). You could always download the free WMV encoder from MS and get good results for re-encoding and compressing any finished video prior to posting on the net.

Good Luck

ErnestM

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
Thanks. Just ordered the Firewire bits and am investigating the software options

Don

28,377 posts

286 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
PetrolTed said:
Thanks. Just ordered the Firewire bits and am investigating the software options


Seconding Ernest's point - I use Firewire. With XP when you plug in the camera in its detected and Windows Movie Maker fires up automatically. Couldn't be simpler.

Data storage is more of an issue. 4GB for a twenty minute track session!

DVD writers seem jolly sensitive too. My PC can supposedly write a DVD but I haven't got it to work yet...I'll probably end up getting a USB DVD/R/+R/-R/RW drive at some stage and trying that....

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
Sounds good. I look forward to hours of playing...

Watch out for the first PH movie of Ted going to the chip shop...

pdV6

16,442 posts

263 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
PetrolTed said:
Watch out for the first PH movie of Ted going to the chip shop...

[Tarantino]
'Ere Ted, guess wot they call them pies 'n' gravy in Europe...
Dunno. Wot?
Pie Royale...mmmmmm
[/Tarantino]

Ted, you don't already have a SoundBlaster Audigy card in your PC by any chance? If so, it already has a FireWire port on it... just need a cable then.

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
Had a hunt around the back of the PC and couldn't see anything obvious. Didn't spec one when I ordered the PC.

Got a card arriving tomorrow. Cost £15.

luca brazzi

3,975 posts

267 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
PetrolTed said:
Had a hunt around the back of the PC and couldn't see anything obvious. Didn't spec one when I ordered the PC.

Got a card arriving tomorrow. Cost £15.
With cable hopefully, to connect your camera to the card.

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Monday 27th October 2003
quotequote all
Yep, with cable

cirks

2,476 posts

285 months

Tuesday 28th October 2003
quotequote all
Ted,

there are numerous problems (as I have discovered) with JVC cameras and auto detection etc. Something to do with their interpretation of the IEE1394 stds etc. They also do not provide their own drivers so you probably will need to use the MS DV one. I'm still trying to get mine to work successfully but at least you are on a more up to date OS than me so may not have the same problems. Good luck!

pdV6

16,442 posts

263 months

Wednesday 29th October 2003
quotequote all
Ted, just received my GR-DX95 & tried it out last night. No problems with the PC seeing it via USB (on WinXP Pro), although there are dire warnings about not switching the camera on or off whilst its connected.

Haven't tried the IEE1394 link yet, pending my finding a suitable cable...

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Wednesday 29th October 2003
quotequote all
I've had it working now with two other bits of software, just not the PIXELA crap that came with it.

Just waiting for the firewire stuff to arrive now. Not helped by the bloody postal workers going on strike

pdV6

16,442 posts

263 months

Wednesday 29th October 2003
quotequote all
PetrolTed said:
I've had it working now with two other bits of software, just not the PIXELA crap that came with it.

Any recommendations? Have to agree that the bundled stuff is a bit below par...

cirks

2,476 posts

285 months

Wednesday 29th October 2003
quotequote all
Pinnacle Studio DV? You can buy the software without their cards.

PetrolTed

Original Poster:

34,432 posts

305 months

Wednesday 29th October 2003
quotequote all
Just bought a basic card and cable from Novatech. About £23.

Trying Pinnacle Studio which is a doddle to use. Tried Adobe Premiere but it was a bit complex.