Dear all,

I have recently plugged in my usb cable from the camcorder and during windows XP recognizing new hardware process, I wrongly selected NTSC as my camcorder system when in actuality, it is a PAL. Now, I can capture the dv on windows Movie Maker but during the file saving stage, it notes an error and the process is terminated.

How can I correct this problem?

Adobe Premier does not recognise the hardware (I'm guessing for the same reason and suggests resetting the camera, which I did but to no avail.)

Pls advise.

Thanks

[senu]

I dont think the PAL/NTSC switch matters : your computer is not a TV and can take signals from any camcorder system

If your camcorder is a MiniDV.. use fire wire

If not, WMM will not edit mpeg .. which is what USB ,( for the most part) is designed to transfer

You dont say which camcorder you have and if you used it this way before

[redsox_mark]

Senu,

Whilst it doesn't matter for display, it does matter for capture, the software needs to know if it is capturing NTSC or PAL. But when using Firewire this is usually transperent - the capturing software detects it.

But in this case is Movie Maker is expecting NTSC and it is getting PAL that would be a problem.

From MovieMaker help:

To set the video format
On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
Depending on your DV camera or VCR and the video format it uses, do one of the following:
Select NTSC if your DV camera or VCR uses the NTSC video format standard.
Select PAL if your DV camera or VCR uses the PAL video format standard.

[senu]

Mark,
I fully agree that the software needs to know what format it is capturing from but the Issue of USB capture for DV in WMM and Adobe Premiere, and the subsequent inability to capture ( even after correcting the Format) are what I find rather more intriguing

I am using a Panasonic NGV35. I've already reset the camera. I am not sure where you mean I'm suppose to select PAL as I mistakenly selected NTSC when I first plugged in the USB cable.

I have done this before on another computer (auto detect) without a glitch. It is the first time I'm using it on this comp.

How do I make the comp recognize that it is a PAL systerm instead of NTSC?

[redsox_mark]

If you change that option in Windows Movie Maker I think that will sort it..

See here

http://www.mbryant.aquiss.com/temp/options.jpg

Senu, I think the problem is it is defaulting to what was (wrongly) set initally, and this setting just needs to be changed.

[senu]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

..Senu, I think the problem is it is defaulting to what was (wrongly) set initally, and this setting just needs to be changed.

It is probably more than likely to be that.

Being a MiniDV model with ability to stream ( like a web cam via USB) , is it another USB DV capturing model?

It will be recognised by windows if connected by usb , but will it stream DV to it..(WMM and Adobe Premiere)??

[redsox_mark]

Senu,

Good point about USB capture...

The GS35 is another of those cams which has the option to output DV from tape over USB.... but not sure if WMM and Adobe Premiere will recognise it or not....

HI all,

Thanks for the advice and help!

Currently, I have ensured that WMM is set to capture PAL (exactly as the html page you sent me). Also, found out that Premier is set to capture through Firewire not USB.

However, it states to 'please check that the device is turned on' (after the capturing process during the saving stage and then states that 'it was interupted unexpectedly'. What does this mean?

it has occured three times already.

[senu]

In which application do you get this message; WMM or Premiere ?
Or both??
Capturing is a real time streaming event.. It should need very little input from the camcorder once the capturing is finished and the file named
Does this happen with firewire as well? ( You can capture to WMM via firewire too)

This happens with WMM as Adobe Premier will not capture it. I am using a USB cable.

Currently having trouble getting a firewire cable as the 'stock' seems to be only available through order from Panasonic.

[senu]

AFAIK , firewire cables are universal. I own an older and now semi retired Panasonic (MX 500) and don't think you need the "stock" from Panasonic, I didnt get one with mine and I don't know what theirs look like TBH

I'm quite keen to see you getting your videos off and Im sure these are temporary problems .. but the Panasonic's are unique in that they are the only MiniDV camcorders able to use USB ( because of MotionDV their own software)
This reliance on USB them limits what you can use.

WMM is OK but there is much better out there for not much

What I'm saying is .. I believe you are less likely to have these problems with firewire and you'll have access to much more Software which only support it

As it happens Adobe Premiere and WMM seem to be at different ends of the Scale for complexity: One is almost Semi Pro ( or at least not neewbee friendly ) software , the other easy to use but equally easy to reach its limits ( it is fairly basic and I've recently been accused of not liking it!)

Why not take your camcorder to say, Maplins..and try out their cables
You'll be pleasantly surprised to find that
Any firewire cable should do
With it your camcorder should be able to allow you transfer video material to any program ( including WMM) without any headache
Good luck!