Pulling Hair out-Trying to Copy DV Video from Camcorder to PC

GOCAT9 on 08/10/2017 - 14:56
Last edited 08/10/2017 - 15:06

This is starting to drive me crazy because I think I have done everything possible to diagnose problem.

Basically, I'm trying to copy some old Hi8 format tapes from a video camera to my PC for editing and archiving. The camcorder is a Sony Digital8 camcorder which is backward compatible with Hi8. The nice thing about this camera is that it converts the analogue Hi8 video to digital video internally on the fly (with TBC and NR). Since I want to copy over to the PC in the best quality possible I am trying to use the DV port (aka FireWire/1394/Sony iLink).

The software on the Windows PC is either WINDV and SCENANALYSER, which are commonly used for this purpose. The Hi8 tape plays perfectly as viewed on the small camcorder screen. There is a menu setting in the camcorder which has been set to A/V->DV set to ON. Both PC programs say that they cannot detect a DV device or similar.

This is what I have tried in diagnosis with no success.

  1. I have tried the same camcorder and tape with three different computers which all have built in DV ports, one Windows 10, one Windows 7 and one Windows XP. All three show the 1394 Firewire port as working in the respective Device Manager. No success.
  2. I have tried another camcorder (miniDV format) also with a DV (1394) port, with same three computers with no success also.
  3. Tried the two programs WINDV and Scenanalyser which are known to work, no success.

Ok, the only thing in common in all this testing was the same 4pin to 4pin DV cable (got it on eBay for $1.75). However, I got my multimeter out and it passes a continuity test pin for pin, so I THINK that means it's ok.

What else can I do? I can't think of anything else to try to make this work, grrrrrrrrrrrr!

Any advice from those those smarter than me much appreciated!!

Computing

Comments

  • Elppa8 on 08/10/2017 - 16:12

    Couple of guesses

    As you said the only common link in your combinations is the cable, so try there, by trying another cable or a USB connection or an A/V connection just to see if that works.

    • GOCAT9 on 08/10/2017 - 17:16

      I like your thinking, but I would need some type of analogue capture card/device if I was to try that A/V suggestion. I'm aware that you can get USB dongle type devices quite cheaply to do this. Some years ago it was quite common to use PC boards like the Raptor and MIRO boards for analogue capture also.

      I'm not aware if it's possible to capture video from a FireWire port with a FireWire to USB converter cable. I guess that would require a different type of software program to support even if it were possible.

      PS Just saw this on the internet "To capture DV footage natively, one MUST use a Firewire (1394) connection to the computer. DV cannot be captured natively via USB." https://www.videomaker.com/forum/topic/how-to-capture-video-…

  • Randxyz123 on 08/10/2017 - 16:22

    Have you tried the instructions here? http://www.sony.com.au/support/resources/en_AU/html/Usefulin…

    Sounds like it's the cable… You've tried 2 camcorders with the same cable and neither work.

    I'd go to TEDs or JB or somewhere and get a decent name brand cable. (Also get a refund for the $1.75 cable)

    • GOCAT9 on 08/10/2017 - 17:07

      Yes, I have been pretty much following those SONY instructions and a whole lot of their combinations.

      Have to agree with you on the cable! I do have another DV cable but it is 4pin to 6pin, that's why I could not try it. So I am waiting for a little 6pin to 4pin adapter that I just ordered online from a local eBay store ( expected delivery this week!)

      Whilst I agree with you about the cable, it does worry me a little that it checks out on a pin to pin continuity basis (unless something happens in one of the end connectors physically/mechanically when it is plugged in)

      Will update this thread when it arrives!

  • EightImmortals on 08/10/2017 - 18:02

    So do you have a firewire plug on your PC?

    Also do some googling on what software came with that particular model camera as some of those older ones were a bit fussy when it came to software. Also check out mpeg streamclip (though we might have used for conversion rather than import?)

  • [Deactivated] on 08/10/2017 - 20:45

    For what its worth I have an analogue camera that won't output via a cable. One day I will get the tapes professionally converted.

    • GOCAT9 on 08/10/2017 - 21:29

      Ok, but does your camera's manual say that it should? Mine does, so I am expecting it to live up to that!!

      • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2017 - 17:07

        Yes - it does!

  • ozzie freddo on 08/10/2017 - 22:27

    In my experience the "menu setting in the camcorder which has been set to A/V->DV set to ON" * is not about getting material from your tape but about using the camcorder as a converter of analogue (A/V) inputs to digital output. I've used this function a lot in getting material off analogue sources for editing etc in my PC (using Sony Vegas Platinum software). So try turning it to OFF.

    *and if you are using your camcorder in this way, you need to turn off "device control" in your capture software as you are not actually controlling the tape movement functions in this mode

    • GOCAT9 on 09/10/2017 - 10:39

      I see where you are coming from. However, I tried that on two computers with both camcorders (but with same DV cable) but both softwares reported that it could not find a DV device.

      I would have hoped/expected that when the cable is connected then the computer would maybe make a sound or a pop up to say that some device had been connected-nada!!

      I am now having to put all my hopes on the common cable being bad. I am waiting for a small 6pin to 4pin adapter to arrive later this week so I can test my one and only other cable which is 4-6pin.

      Will report back when I get it!!

  • GOCAT9 on 11/10/2017 - 12:10

    Well F*** me dead!! -SUCCESS!!

    Today, I received my eBay 6pin to 4pin adapter so I could try my substitute FireWire (1394) cable.

    I plugged it in and all sorts of magic stated happening immediately-recognised the device, started installing some setup files etc and then my capture program started working!

    It was the FireWire cable after all-just as we deduced. It was the only thing it "could" have been really.

    The only unexplained thing is why the "bad" cable checks out ok on a pin to pin continuity basis with a multimeter. The only explanation is that something happens when it is plugged in in that one or more pins are not connecting properly!! Will never know-but don't care now !!

    Thanks for all your useful feedback and suggestions guys!

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