I am unable to capture video from my Canon ZR800. I just purchased EMC9 for the
sole purpose of capturing and burning my countless mini DV's to discs. My PC is
equipped with a DVD burner and IEEE 1394 card. Pentium 2 GHZ processor,
768 meg of ram, 64 meg video ram, all are funtional.
When I click on the video button in the video capture box of EMC9 there are no
devices available. The firewire is working as the camera recognizes the PC and displays
DV-IN on the display indicating a connection. I have contacted Canon and they assure
me it is not the camcorder, but point to the software.
I guess the real issue here is this: The ZR800 is not listed as a EMC9 supported device.
However, other Canon Digital Video's are. Also, as a side issue when I select the photo
capture button (of EMC9) it lists my FAX machine as the only available photo capture device.
Have I purchased software that won't do what I want it to? Or is there a setting that is wrong?
Please don't start questioning my PC and it's configuration. I'm talking about a simple
external video capture device that simply can't/won't be recognized by EMC9 software.
Based on all I have read on this forum, I am beginning to think that maybe this "firewire"
technology may be overrated, and is in reality full of bugs. For Roxio's sake, considering
all the development they've put into there great software, I hope I'm wrong.
Thank you to whomever responds.

Firewire is the best way to capture, and I have no clue why it doesn't at least see your camcorder. The 64 MB onboard video chip isn't enough to do video editing work, but I am not sure that that has anything to do with the computer not seeing the camcorder.

See if it is recognized using Windows Movie Maker to capture.

You can't capture photos thru firewire that I know. Most still image cameras and even most camcorders usually transfer their still images through USB.

Several people have posted problems capturing with Canon camcorders via firewire. It could be a number of things. Although everyone seems to want to point fingers at the software, it is more likely a combination of your hardware. Also make sure you have updated video card drivers and the latest DirectX (Jul 2007). These have to be done manually. MS Update doesn't do those.

I will have to agree with Bruce, your computer is definitely on the low end for video capturing even though it should work. Videowave/MyDVD 9 need a good video card with 128MB that fully supports DirectX 9. You might be able to render video in software mode and all of the 3D transitions/effects will not be available.

Oh yeah, you might want to check this out too:
Update for Windows XP (KB885222)

After you install Windows XP Service Pack 2, some 1394 devices (such as digital cameras that use S400 speed) may not perform as expected.

Firewire SP2 fix

For those who responded, my thanks. I followed the advice given and installed the Micorsoft IEEE 1394 fix and have the latest version of Direct X . I have tried importing the DV from my camcorder using Windows movie maker, and WinDVD. Same issue. The more I get into this (and God knows I've consumed a lot of time addressing this issue) I am beginning to lean towards my PC and its probable incompatabilities. I haven't totally ruled out Canon either, for that matter. This based on the fact that many of the same questions asked here in this forum are related to questions asked of Canon. I've spent countless hours on this issue and am raising the white flag. I give up! Again, my thanks to those who have responded with good viable feedback. It has been well received. However, it is now time to move on. --- Megabit

That fairly much proves that it is a hardware issue. Look in Device manager to see what firewire chipset you have. Then see if you can find an updated driver for it online. If that doesn't work or can't find one and you have an empty PCI slot, may be a new firewire card will solve the problem.

I had the same problem with the Canon ZR800 dv-in flashing. The answer for me was in the order the equipment is plugged in. The only way it works is to plug in the connection to the computer last, after the camera is on.

1. unplug all cables
2. plug cable into camera only
3. turn on camera
4. plug into computer

Hope this helps. I'm running Vista and XP, using Windows Movie Maker on both. I use Roxio 9 to burn DVDs.

Thanks for the post, but Megabit hasn't visited the forums in almost 18 months.

Hopefully, your post will help someone else.