Problem with capturing HDV and DV. Recommend a new miniDV HD video camera?

JasonLee

Newbie Joined: Jan 11, 2007 22:36 Messages: 5 Offline

Solved by

May 11, 2010 13:28

Can someone recommend an HD Camcorder (miniDV) to use with PowerDirector 8?

I just upgraded to a new PC with Windows 7 and upgraded to PowerDirector 8 (previous version was PD5). With this new upgrade, I cannot import HD video from my Sony HDR-HC7 (miniDV, 1080i) within PowerDirector 8. I can import DV video in PD8, although it transfers in a distorted 4:3 ratio, when the actual video is shot in 16:9. Right now, my only real solution is using the Windows Live option to import DV (not HDV) and then pull the files over into PD8, which is inconvenient.

When trying to capture the HDV, I keep getting the following error message:
"You cannot use the capture function because the i.Link mode on the HDV device is not identical to the recorded format on the tape. Check the tape status or make sure the content of the tape is in an HDV format and then reconnect the i.Link again".

I've tried all the setting combinations on the camera to no avail. So, I'm thinking that I just need to upgrade my video camera now as well. I would be interested in any potential solutions for using my current video camera or recommendations for a new video camera that would work well with PD8. Jason

CubbyHouseFilms

Senior Contributor Location: Melbourne, Australia Joined: Jul 14, 2009 04:23 Messages: 2208 Offline

May 11, 2010 19:50

Hi Jason Lee

Welcome to the PD forum!

I'm not sure why your video files won't import correctly, I'm sure someone here will know.

In relation to the potential purchase of a HD camera, take a look at the link. Most of these cameras are compatible and have in fact been tested by the 'boffins' at CL.

http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/8727.page

Good luck Happing editing

Best Regards

Neil
CubbyHouseFilms
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BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

May 11, 2010 20:23

Please supply your computer info.
Maker/OS.
I suspect the firewire driver, not the program or camera.

HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

JasonLee

Newbie Joined: Jan 11, 2007 22:36 Messages: 5 Offline

May 11, 2010 21:13

Barry,
You were absolutely correct. It is the Firewire driver. I got an updated Firewire driver - apparently the driver supplied with the Windows 7 (x64) OS wasn't adequate. After I updated the driver, it fixed the problem.

Thanks for the assistance.

By the way, for others who are experiencing this same issue, I got an updated driver from the following link:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&softwareitem=ob-74849-1&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Try downloading this driver from the HP website. Jason

BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

May 11, 2010 21:54

How did you find that driver?
I am just curious because when my HP failed to capture HDV, HP was at a loss to help. I even threatened to return my new machine.
Eventually, after MUCH online research, I found that driver link.
I contacted HP to tell them they had the answer right under their noses. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

kiter67

Newbie Joined: May 05, 2011 00:44 Messages: 5 Offline

May 05, 2011 00:51

I have a MiniDV camcorder (not HD) and am experiencing the same issue in terms of the video being altered from 16:9 to 4:3 when I captured into PD8. I downloaded the driver update from the link provided above, re-booted my machine and tried capturing a small video sample again. Same issue. Any ideas on what else to try to maintain 16:9 format?

Using Windows XP and IE8.

Thanks
Bob

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at May 05. 2011 00:56

ro22tol

Member Joined: Sep 30, 2006 00:53 Messages: 63 Offline

May 05, 2011 04:20

Quote: I have a MiniDV camcorder (not HD) and am experiencing the same issue in terms of the video being altered from 16:9 to 4:3 when I captured into PD8. I downloaded the driver update from the link provided above, re-booted my machine and tried capturing a small video sample again. Same issue. Any ideas on what else to try to maintain 16:9 format?

Using Windows XP and IE8.

Thanks
Bob

Bob, I would use a third party program to import the DV into your computer.

read this link that I posted in:

http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/16862.page#84741

windv is a simple free program.

kiter67

Newbie Joined: May 05, 2011 00:44 Messages: 5 Offline

May 05, 2011 10:18

Many thanks for the help. I'll try it.

Bob

kiter67

Newbie Joined: May 05, 2011 00:44 Messages: 5 Offline

May 06, 2011 16:51

The program works great except that it breaks the video into a number of smaller files (scenes) when I import it, rather than one large file. This is OK for editing but not for storage. Any idea if there is a setting to change this?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at May 06. 2011 16:52

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

May 06, 2011 18:39

Did you shoot several scenes on the camera?

If so, you probably will get multiple scenes when you capture.

Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

kiter67

Newbie Joined: May 05, 2011 00:44 Messages: 5 Offline

May 06, 2011 20:12

Yes I did. Importing using PD8 does not break it up into scenes and has an option to do so oncethe video is imported, which is what I'd prefer. PD8 should be able to import video in 16:9 format. I will contact their support to find out why it won't work.

ro22tol

Member Joined: Sep 30, 2006 00:53 Messages: 63 Offline

May 07, 2011 17:57

You can take the seperate clips from windv that you imported into your computer, import them into PD8, then use the produce function to make a single avi or mpeg clip. Land of fieros, North Dakota USA

kiter67

Newbie Joined: May 05, 2011 00:44 Messages: 5 Offline

May 08, 2011 22:57

Yes I know. It's more of a file storage issue. I like the original in one file. Not a big deal, just my preference for archiving footage.

ro22tol

Member Joined: Sep 30, 2006 00:53 Messages: 63 Offline

May 09, 2011 20:11

Just a thought, when you are capturing your DV with PD8, do you have the aspect ratio check as 16:9, under "edit" and "aspect ratio" withing PD8? I figure you do, but thought I would ask anyway.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at May 09. 2011 20:27

Land of fieros, North Dakota USA