Kenzilla
Novice
Sep 20, 2005, 6:30 PM
Post #3 of 11
(1804 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Re: [RatVega] Still Having Problems Transferring From XL1s to Computer
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
Hey Ken...
Wow, where to start? First, can you let us know what program you're capturing with? You mentioned that you'd probably be getting Vegas, did you? I guess it's possible to just capture to disk with a utility, but I don't know anyone doing that because many of the NLEs like to "take notes" as they capture. I'm on Final Cut, so I may not be much help in the late running, but I'm sure you'll have better luck by declaring the NLE.
Second, FireWire may be a standard, but that doesn't mean all FW-compatible programs are created equal. Another arguement for capturing to your editing system... at least you're dealing with a more limited set of possibilities.
It is possible that you have a camera problem. See if you can borrow another videocam and see if the footage will capture from it.
I endorse the use of a mini-DV deck for a variety of reasons, but this isn't one yet. Too many unknowns right now to be throwing big bux at the problem.
Your idea of an in-car cam is good, but experiment first - I've thought of this (always wanted to shoot drags, haven't yet...) and felt that the mounting might be tricky in order to keep the shake out. If you can work this our, your idea goes from good to great!
Keep the faith, you can do this!
Thanks RV, boy, you would have loved the event Saturday. All sorts of classes, all sorts of cars and the finale was the jet powered semi truck burning down the old track tower. Here's my friend in action;
See the guy right behind him with the vidcam? 
Anyway, to get back to the capture problem, I've tried both with WinDV and Ulead Video Studio. I haven't gotten Vegas yet but to be honest, I don't think it would matter. I've tried this with two different firewire cards, both showing up in Device Manager as working properly, the cable supplied with the camera and today I tried again with a $30 "Geek Squad" cable, same result. I think it's the camera. The reason why is if I'm not mistaken there is supposed to be some sort of message in the viewfinder display that says something like "DV In" or "DV Out" or something like that, I've seen nothing. And if you caught the other thread where I announced that my "LANC device" problem had been solved, that turned out to be the camera. Tested the Varizoom LANC device on three other cameras and it worked fine. Also it's kindof a coincidence that the LANC port and the firewire port are located next to (top to bottom) each other. Trying another miniDV cam would be the thing to do but I know of no one here who has one. I've seen vid shot in car that was not that shaky. I guess the stabilization technology in some cams does the trick. It might not be rock solid but it's not so bad as to be objectionable.
I'm going to have to send the camera in one way or another to get the LANC port fixed though so I can have the firewire port checked at the same time. I'm going to contact the seller of the cam (I bought it used btw) because they said it had been check out by Sony prior to sale and see what they have to say. I'd just like to get this stuff I've already shot in a form I can send back to the team so they can analyze some of it. The footage you see me shooting above was done to analyze the launch and particular setups they were using. I might check tomorrow to see if there is anyone locally who could maybe put what I have now on DVD or something. I'm going tomorrow night to an 1/8th mile track to shoot the same car, so I'll have even more to capture after tomorrow. I guess I could just go to Best Buy or Circuit City and buy a cam, use it to playback the video and then take it back but I don't want to do something like that. It's not honest. But that's just me.
Thanks for your reply and taking an interest, and yes, I will get it done. 
Ken
|
