WMM won't recognize my Sony camcorder

[Guest]

Hi,
Although I previously have not had any problems and have made plenty of WMM
projects, lately my computer won't recognize my Sony camcorder. So I can't
capture any video.

However, I am able to capture using the lesser quality capture setting of
DV-AVI. This doesn't work out so well because when I play the movie it get
shakey and tends stick or freeze up.

Can anyone give me any tips how to get the computer to recognize the camera
through the Best Quality setting?

Thank you,
Brian F.

 

[Guest]

Sorry I do not have an answer - but I am having the same problem with my
Canon video camera. I have completed 10 + projects in WMM - but it now does
not recognize my camera

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Wojo]

Hi Brian,

First of all DV-AVI isn't a "lesser quality capture setting" it is actually
a higher quality capture setting.
If the capture is shakey and freezing it is due to a different issue.
If you are able to capture as DV-AVI then you are obviously using firewire
which is the best connection to make so assuming the cable is ok lets
explore other things.

Try defragging your harddrive, this will speed up the capture.
Shutdown non essential programs before capturing, this will free up memory.
Disable your screensaver so it doesn't come on during capture, the
screensaver eats up system resources quickly.
Have a look at this article by Graham:
http://www.myvideoproblems.com/Tutorials/OptimiseMyPcForVideo.htm

What I don't understand from your post is that you say your computer won't
recognize your camcorder but it allows you to capture as DV-AVI so that
means that your computer obviously does recognize the camera so you will
need to explain a little better what you mean.

 

[Guest]

Hi Wojo,
Thanks for taking the time to help! To clarify, when I connect my Sony, it
used to be that a box would pop up "recognizing" it or stating that I had
connected my Sony.

It doesn't do that anymore. You're correct that it does recognize it when I
go the DV-AVI route. In regards to the "lesser quality" comment, my
recollection is that it states "best quality" next to the first capture
option, above the DV-AVI option.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Wojo]

You are correct it does say "Best Quality" I would guess that it means that
is the best quality available without using firewire. DV-AVI is basically an
uncompressed raw video.

Again if you are saving as DV-AVI and getting a shakey freezing video it is
probably dues to a resources problem or some such issue slowing down the
capture process which causes a poorly captured video.

Did you check out Graham's article on different things to do to optimize
your computer for quality capturing?
The answer is almost surely in one of the many things he suggests there.

 

[Guest]

Hi Wojo,
Thanks for taking the time to help! To clarify, when I connect my Sony, it
used to be that a box would pop up "recognizing" it or stating that I had
connected my Sony.

It doesn't do that anymore. You're correct that it does recognize it when I
go the DV-AVI route. In regards to the "lesser quality" comment, my
recollection is that it states "best quality" next to the first capture
option, above the DV-AVI option.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Brian