Hi I have a JVC GR-DV700EK mini dv camcorder, I have installed the drivers into windows xp via the new hardware wizard, when I try and connect and transfer video from the camera to the pc I get the warnning...

The video device is already in use.Close any other application that is using the device and try again.

There are no other application using the device I have reinstalled the drivers and even rebooted the pc before connecting the camcorder.

Any help would be greatfull

Many thanks Andy

[MarkE19]

Hi Toucan1967 and welcome to the forum

A few questions first:

1. How are you connecting the camcorder to the PC - USB or firewire?
2. If firewire is it via a sound card or a dedicated firewire port?
3. What other programs are running on the PC?
4. Do you have any other firewire devices?

right now lets try and cover the answers to the above:

1. if useing USB then forget it, it will never work. You must use firewire to capture full quality video to a PC. If you don't have a firewire port (aka ieee1394, iLink or just DV port) then you can add it as a PCI card for around £10 that will include a cable to connect the cam to the card.
2. If you have one of the Soundblaster etc sound cards with a firewire port then many people have had trouble with these as they are not fully complient with the ieee1394 protocol. Get a separate PCI firewire card for around £10.
3. Before startig to capture it is always a good idea to reboot the PC. Then disable antivirus, power save modes & screensavers etc. If you then look in 'task manager' you will see a long list of running programs that really don't all need to be running and can safely be stopped. The quickest and easiest way to do this is with a free program called 'EndItAll'. Do a search for it online and if you have any problems finding it PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you a copy. Its a great prog that does exactly what the name suggests.
If you have a firewire HDD or DVD writer etc then make sure they are not connected to the same port as the camcorder. Plug the lead to the camcorder into its own port (a PCI card should have at least 3 ports on it) and any other devices can normally be happily daisey chained to another.

I hope the above is some help. Feel free to ask any other questions you will have and let us know how you get on with getting the PC to recognise the camcorder.

Good luck,
Mark.

Thanks for the info Mark.
I am connecting via the USB port, There is a firewire port on the machine so I will get myself a lead and try again, I will let you know how I get on.
Again Many thanks
Andy

Hi Mark,
Many thanks again for the info, have bought a firewirelead and all is now working great.

Best wishes Andy