Capture 1080i HDV from tape camera

[OldJack]

 

With neither of my Sony HDV MiniDV tape cameras (HVR-Z1U & HDV-HC7) can I capture HDV 1440x1080 with Roxio Creator 2010 Pro. I can capture in 720x480 Standard DV.

Both of my cameras say the mode for HDV output by firewire/ilink to the PC computer setting should be for In/Out set to "HDV" and the i.Link Conv to "Off.

Roxio capture software recognizes the camera device driver by name with 1440x1080 and starts the tape running but gives an error and will not display the video or capture. Capture simply locks-up.

 

Help needed with Roxio Creator 2010 Pro as it will not capture in HDV from MiniDV tape recorded in 1080i.

 

I am using Windows 7 on a HP Pavilion dv8 laptop with Intel i7 processor and Nvidia Geforce with CUDA.

[ggrussell]

I have no issues capturing HDV with my Canon HV20. I first purchased a Sony HC7 and it was VERY PICKY about the tapes I used. When I contacted Sony, they only recommend Sony tape made for HDV which at the time were $29.95 each.

 

Your settings are correct: In/Out to HDV with no conversion. What kind of error? When I had the HC7, capture did work. What kind of tape are you using? If it isn't Sony, that could very easily be the problem.

[OldJack]

Thanks for the reply Gary. I am using Sony Premium MiniDV DVM60 ME tapes. These are the standard Sony MiniDV tapes sold everywhere although differenct places sell them with various cassette numbers.

 

I have no problem capturing standard DV, 480 format, but just can't get 1080 even though the Roxio capture program recognizes the camera by model name HVR-Z1U driver or HDR-HC7 driver. I suspect that maybe the problem is the 64 bit windows 7 Pro operating system but the drivers are not 64 bit???

 

I have tried Windows Movie Maker v2.6 that came with my computer, but I am not familar with the program and I can't seem to find a way to capture from a camcorder. I tried Coral VideoStudio12 that came with my computer and it will not capture in HDV either.

 

edit:

>>What kind of error?<<

 

Roxio gives 2 identical error messages. something about not being able to view and setup.

 

[sknis]

edit:

>>What kind of error?<<

 

Roxio gives 2 identical error messages. something about not being able to view and setup.

 

Those something error are probably important. Please post the exact error message and any numbers that go along with them.

[OldJack]

Those something error are probably important. Please post the exact error message and any numbers that go along with them.

 

 

Ok! Capture program popup window: "Unable to preview the HDV device. Please ensure that a valid tape is in the device and is wound to a position that contains material." Details button: "Failed to setup componets for showing picture or sound." Such failed notice is reported twice in the same popup window.

 

I tried with a Sony HDV/DV 63 min Digital Master tape that says it is designed for HDV and still get the same error.

 

Capture starts the camera playing and then reports the error with the camera continuing to run. This is the same with both cameras and the same thing happens when I use the Coral VideoStudio12 program although it does not report any error.

 

[ggrussell]

Is the beginning of the tape blank? Digital tape capture is nothing like analog and blank tape will stop any capture. Make sure the tape is at an area where there is video before pressing capture.

[OldJack]

>>Is the beginning of the tape blank? <<

 

No, the tape is full from beginning to end. I have positioned the tape in various positions and the program just refuses to read anything anywhere.

 

 

[OldJack]

I solved the problem after days of trial and error! I am just this minute recording to the computer with Roxio at 1440x1080. The problem was with audio lock of all things. The tape was recorded with audio lock selected to record the sampling clock of audio and that of video synchronized. This mode is advantageous for digital processing during audio editing, or for making smooth transition of scenes. Audio lock is automatically set to lock mode in the DVCAM/HDV format.

 

On the camera menu the audio lock/unlock selection is on the audio set menu or on the In/Out menu with the i.link Conv selection.

 

It remains to be seen as what audio unlocked might mean when played or edited in the computer.

[ggrussell]

... or on the In/Out menu with the i.link Conv selection.

Glad you found the issue. From that last part, it sounds like the audio lock is for down-conversion to standard definition. With iLink conversion On, you can (supposedly) capture a hidef tape as if it was standard definition. I never tried it when I had the HC7.

[OldJack]

Glad you found the issue. From that last part, it sounds like the audio lock is for down-conversion to standard definition. With iLink conversion On, you can (supposedly) capture a hidef tape as if it was standard definition. I never tried it when I had the HC7.

Well I don't really understand the audio lock but the 60 minute tape I captured seems to be alright when I opened it in videowave. Now I am having trouble with capturing tape #2. Even with the same Sony HVRcamera settings the capture program does not want to recognize the camera without plugging and unplugging the firewire several times and closing and opening capture program several times. When it did finally recognize tape#2, it captured for 25 minutes (out of 60) and capture stopped for no apparent reason and the program froze (the set camera length feature was not selected). It didn't even want me to close the program as it said it was still capturing which of course it was not. I tried twice and it stops at the same point, but the camera viewer has no problem with the tape.

 

It appears to me that Roxio 2010 Pro is a little picky about reading MiniDV tapes as it will not read the first 8 seconds so the "Capture Entire Tape" button is useless when trying to record in 1440x1080. Its hard to believe that standard MiniDV tapes are the real cause of the problem.

 

edit: I still can't get the HDR-HC7 camera to be recognized. I don't find the audio lock/unlock in the menu.

[OldJack]

>>With iLink conversion On, you can (supposedly) capture a hidef tape as if it was standard definition.<<

 

Yes, my Sony cameras record in 1080i but with the iLink Convention set to "On" it downloads in standard definition of 480i. Unless you have a Blu-ray burner you don't need 1080 as that is the only use for 1080 if you are making DVD's. My recent purchase of Blu-ray burner and player has me wanting 1080 for my HDV-TV. Most video programs need to forget about 480 as the new standard is 1080.

 

Of course if you connect your camcorder direct to a HDV-TV you would see it in 1080. I know you know all this but maybe someone else might benefit from the statement.

 

 

 

[ggrussell]

Most video programs need to forget about 480 as the new standard is 1080.

1080 may be the latest standard, but there are still millions of users who don't have HDTVs yet. So I doubt that it's time for software industry to give up on standard definition yet. In fact, I think it will be around for many years to come. NO one in my family has hidef except me and I don't pay for hidef cable because it costs too much.

 

As for capturing HDV, you are experiencing what I did over a year ago when the HC7 first came out. I had it one month and took it back. I bought a Canon HV20 and love it. I can use less expensive tapes and no drop out. I have had zero issues with capturing using ANY software. When it comes time for a new camcorder, I'll most likely buy Canon again.

[OldJack]

Thanks again Gary for the reply. I pull out a Digital Master tape that I recorded in early 2007 and noticed that the quality of the video was much better than what I have been getting lately with the inexpensive $2.50 tapes. Likewise, Roxio had no trouble capturing the video at 1080. I think I will order a bunch of the new Sony HDV tapes that sell for around $6.

I still think software capture programs could do a better job with MiniDV tape capture. I know the new thing is memory cards and that is probably where the programing interest is now.