Video device not detected

[Guest]

I have a JVC Everio camcorder but I can't get Windows Movie Maker to detect
it (A video capture device was not detected. Verify that a devie is truned on
and connected properly, and try again) . The camera is connected to the PC by
the IEEE 1394 USB cable that came with it. Windows Explorer does see the
camera as connected (assigns a drive letter to it, and I can browse through
the movie files on the cam).

What is wrong with this setup that I need to fix? Thanks in advance.

Windows XP Pro, service pack 2

 

[PapaJohn]

That's a line of camcorders that record to hard drives... in MPEG-2 format
(with .MOD extensions) that needs conversion before being imported to Movie
Maker.

See the Import Movie Source Files > Video > MOD page of my website for
conversion pointers.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the helpful info PapaJohn! I had no idea that I needed to do so
much post-processing of the video files to be able to use them in MM.
Dissapointing...

Is there any other program that you would recommend for editing the video
files directly without requiring so much effort converting formats?

Thanks again!

 

[PapaJohn]

Most camcorder buyers don't think of the editing phase until they find
themselves wanting to do it...

Adobe's Premiere Elements is a good step up from Movie Maker, and can handle
MPEG-2 source files.... it's the first and only video editing software I've
endorsed. It has a full featured 30 day trial, so you should try it with
your camcorder files to be sure it's the right step for you.

The other way forward is to accept the fact that your files need conversion,
setup your process so it's easy and routine, and continue using Movie Maker
as I do.... I endorse Premiere Elements but don't use it.... maybe because I
use a mini-DV camcorder which aligns with Movie Maker by firewire, and not a
hard-drive one.

Whichever way you go, it's just a little learning hurdle...

 

[Guest]

Thanks a ton PapaJohn! I will look into the Adobe program to see how it fits
my needs.

Dave