Video camera not recognized

[Peter Van]

I have a Panasonic PV-GS120 miniDV. ! year ago I used WMM to capture the
video off the camera to the computer for editing then uploading to YouTube.
I used the USB cable. Now, I am trying to do it again, but get the message
"No DV device detected" or something to that effect when I click on "Capture
Video".
Anyone have any ideas about this or what I should otherwise do? I am using
the same cable. I also tried it on a different computer....same message.
The computer definitely recognizes the camera when I plug it in.
Thank you for any help!

 

[Seth Price]

Did you update Movie Maker or WMP? That may be the problem, because it may
have accidentally erased the file when the new one was downloaded.

 

[Peter Van]

Thank you Seth, for replying. WMP has been updated, but the problem I am
having is that WMM will not recognize my camera so that I can transfer a new
video file to my computer for editing and eventually burning to a DVD. Any
tricks to overcome this problem which seems to be basic functionality for a
camcorder? As mentioned, it worked the last time I tried it a year ago.

 

[walter]

Thank you Seth, for replying. WMP has been updated, but the problem
I am having is that WMM will not recognize my camera so that I can
transfer a new video file to my computer for editing and eventually
burning to a DVD. Any tricks to overcome this problem which seems to
be basic functionality for a camcorder? As mentioned, it worked the
last time I tried it a year ago.

USB is hit or miss as far as WMM is concerned. Firewire is the way to go.
In fact, I'm mildly surprised it (USB) ever worked (for video capture) at
all with WMM.

Your camera has Firewire as well as USB outputs according to;

http://shopping.msn.com/specs/panas...itemname:panasonic-pv-gs120-camcorder-mini-dv

Are you sure you weren't using Firewire (as opposed to USB) when it worked
for you a year ago?

If your machine does not have a Firewire card it's probably a worthwhile
investment to install one. They are dirt cheap these days. Just don't
forget to also purchase a transfer cable while you're in the store, as most
cards don't come with one included.

Alternatively, you could try capturing the video (via USB) with whatever
software came with the cam. Once you have it on the machine, you can THEN
try importing into WMM and see how it goes.

Good luck.

 

[Peter Van]

Thank you Seth....I will keep working on it; I think I am am using the same
cable (USB) as last year, but maybe not......I will get back after trying a
couple of things...Thank you for your suggestions!

Peter Van

 

[Peter Van]

Seth:

I can't believe that now I am 48, my memory really has started to fade; you
were right on. What I did a year ago was to insert a firewire card into my
laptop, and purchased the 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable from some dude in
China (off e-bay), and used it to transfer the video! I re-inserted it and
sure enough, no problem now! I completely forgot I did all that!
Interesting to me that using firewire allows WMM to recognize the camera and
not USB.....well, it is what it is, but I wish I understood that!
Anyway, thank you again for your help!

Peter Van

 

[Saga]

Glad you got it to work. I agree with Walter, USB usually is a big hassle
and from what I have read, USB requires either a driver install or specific
software. Firewire does not require any of those, you just connect the
camera and are greeted by a dialog that lets you select MM to import
video. I too have a similar setup and purchased two Firewire cables
with different connectors, just in case I had to use a computer that
does not have the smaller 4 pin plug. Regards, Saga

PS: 48???!!! Luckyyy! Mine started to go when I hit 35! ;-)

 

[Peter Van]

Well, its great when we can solve problems! Thanks again!!!

Peter Van