Help me impress my brother

[wmw999 2,447]

I'm at my brother's, and he's asked for help firewiring some stuff to his computer (being asked for help by my brother is really something ). That said, I have no frickin' idea.
Equipment:
Panasonic Mini DV DVR model PV-GS15
Pinnacle Dazzle hookup thingie (technical term alert). The software says Pinnacle Studio 12.
I hook up all the wired (S-video from DVR to hookup thingie, and USB cable to computer). According to the box, the computer is running the right software.

But when I try to capture, the hardware isn't recognized. I'm told to see if I have it set in PLAY or VTR or VCR, and that it's turned on. I've solved that problem by putting it in PLAY, and it's for sure playing. I've seen that video of his 2-year-old sleeping about 10 times so far .

Hints? Or am I providing not enough of the wrong information (possible). One consideration is that all the instructions are in Portuguese (which isn't a huge problem, but I'm not that familiar with video geek terms in English, never mind another language).

thanks in advance
Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[jtval 0]

May be too late but if you are firewiring it, it should pretty much be automatic.

Be sure (as you said) that the camcorder is in the vcr mode (I.E. if you can see the footage on the built in screen you are in the right setting.)

Is his camcorder a HD?
You may need to go to the settings/menu and find the output and set it to the fire wire/usb out.

You may also need to set the video output setting to somethign the software recognizes.

Also, Be sure that the firewire/usb is FIRMLY in the port. I've run into big problems if the cable is just a hairs width out of the port.

My photos

My Videos

[PhreeZone 20]

If he wants to use the fireware get rid of the Dazzle. The Dazzle is for capturing the files in analog mode and not digital like Firewire can do. He does have firewire ports on the computer right?

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[RMK 3]

Regarding Pinnacle Studio 12. I've had Pinnacle versions 9, 10 & 11 Utlimate. Always had problems, and flogged my latest copy on eBay. Tell him life will be much easier with something like Sony Vegas Pro8.

I have nothing but disdain for dealing with Pinnacle.

"Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes"

[Icon134 0]

Quote

Regarding Pinnacle Studio 12. I've had Pinnacle versions 9, 10 & 11 Utlimate. Always had problems, and flogged my latest copy on eBay. Tell him life will be much easier with something like Sony Vegas Pro8.

I have nothing but disdain for dealing with Pinnacle.

Or just about as good for a home user and a heck of a lot less expensive... Vegas Movie Studio 9...

or you can probably get it captured via firewire using Windows Movie Maker.

Scott

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[DSE 5]

The problems are two fold, and have been identified by everyone here already.
Dazzle is for analog capture, and rarely works.
Pinnacle is problematic enough.
Use Windows Movie Maker, or better still, Sony Vegas (you don't need Platinum for that camera).
Firewire from cam straight into firewire card on computer. computer will ding...and tell it to capture using the preferred application (either WMM or VMS).
If you would like, PM me and we can take this to phone.

[wmw999 2,447]

Thanks folks -- we'll work on that tommorrow. Right now there are other fish to fry, but even if I don't impress him, you guys will...
Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)