DCR-HC96 - issues, issues, issues...

[Thrasher]

I bought a DCR HC96 about a month ago - so far it's been a great miniDV camera. The (indoor) low light capability is pretty amazing.

To connect to my PC I bought this 6 ft. IEEE 1394a 4-pin to 4-pin Firewire cable for $4. It works fine.

I hope I'm not stating the obvious, but there is no firewire port on the camera itself - it only exists on the docking station. My 4-pin to 4-pin firewire cable goes from my PC straight to the docking station. There is no need for a 6-pin firewire cable as the camera doesn't need power from the cable anyway.

Then dock the camera onto the docking station, and then turn the camera on. Windows recognizes the camera and then you're set to capture your video onto your PC via your choice of software. I've been using WinDV (free) and it simply works. Turn the camera off before removing from the docking station - reason is there have been some claims online of people blowing their firewire ports by jiggling the cam on/off the docking station.

Hope this helps.

 

[Noobtastic]

I hope I'm not starting the obvious, but there is no firewire port on the camera itself - it only exists on the docking station. My 4-pin to 4-pin firewire cable goes from my PC straight to the docking station. There is no need for a 6-pin firewire cable as the camera doesn't need power from the cable anyway.

First off, I'd like to say I'm very glad someone here owns the camera. Second, yes I just realized that like 5 minutes ago. I guss I missed it on the instructions or something. XD

Then dock the camera onto the docking station, and then turn the camera on. Windows recognizes the camera and then you're set to capture your video onto your PC via your choice of software. I've been using WinDV (free) and it simply works. Turn the camera off before removing from the docking station - reason is there have been some claims online of people blowing their firewire ports by jiggling the cam on/off the docking station.

Hope this helps.

Ok, I returned the alleged-defective camera and now I have the new one. I record a video, and try to watch on the camera itself...and it only plays the first few seconds. When I try to go back to the vid, it won't let me. WTF!?!?!!

SAME F**KING PROBLEM?!!!!!!! Also, the camera doesn't make as much of a hissing sound..but it still does. Also, I'm using Sony Premium tapes - is that what you use?!!??


WHAT THE HELL DO I DO?! I'M GETTING F**KING SICK OF THIS!!!


Comments will be greatly appreciated from you, and anyone else.

Bumpage will remain until answers come!

 

[Thrasher]

Ok, I returned the alleged-defective camera and now I have the new one. I record a video, and try to watch on the camera itself...and it only plays the first few seconds. When I try to go back to the vid, it won't let me. WTF!?!?!!

SAME F**KING PROBLEM?!!!!!!! Also, the camera doesn't make as much of a hissing sound..but it still does. Also, I'm using Sony Premium tapes - is that what you use?!!??


WHAT THE HELL DO I DO?! I'M GETTING F**KING SICK OF THIS!!!


Comments will be greatly appreciated from you, and anyone else.

Bumpage will remain until answers come!

I think I know what you're talking about. When in camera mode, after you record some video, you can review it by pressing the tape icon, then the "-" icon - but you have to HOLD it to continue reviewing +/- (see pg. 39 of the manual). To view what you've recorded like a VCR, cycle the camera into PLAY/EDIT mode, then it plays, rewinds, fast forwards like you might be expecting (see pgs. 28-31 of the manual).

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Thrasher
I bought a DCR HC96 about a month ago - so far it's been a great miniDV camera. The (indoor) low light capability is pretty amazing.

To connect to my PC I bought this 6 ft. IEEE 1394a 4-pin to 4-pin Firewire cable for $4. It works fine.

I hope I'm not stating the obvious, but there is no firewire port on the camera itself - it only exists on the docking station. My 4-pin to 4-pin firewire cable goes from my PC straight to the docking station. There is no need for a 6-pin firewire cable as the camera doesn't need power from the cable anyway.

Then dock the camera onto the docking station, and then turn the camera on. Windows recognizes the camera and then you're set to capture your video onto your PC via your choice of software. I've been using WinDV (free) and it simply works. Turn the camera off before removing from the docking station - reason is there have been some claims online of people blowing their firewire ports by jiggling the cam on/off the docking station.

Hope this helps.

HOW IS THAT 6 BUCKS?

The one I bought was 30! I couldn't find a single firewire cable cheaper!

My 4 pin cable plugs into the DV outlet, is that right??


Also, I just discovered my Dell computer does not have a FIREWIRE OUTLET!!! WTF?!

Anyways, do you know of any USB-to-FIREWIRE adapters?


F**k Dell. I remember specifically ordering a firewire outlet! Could it be located in the back? UGH!

 

[Fardringle]

If your computer has a firewire port built into the motherboard, there should be a port on the back of the PC near the USB ports.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
If your computer has a firewire port built into the motherboard, there should be a port on the back of the PC near the USB ports.

i dont see it, argh!!!!!!!!

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic

Originally posted by: Fardringle
If your computer has a firewire port built into the motherboard, there should be a port on the back of the PC near the USB ports.

i dont see it, argh!!!!!!!!

Whats the model # on your Dell?

Hit me up on AIM for better help
Main365

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Noobtastic

Originally posted by: Fardringle
If your computer has a firewire port built into the motherboard, there should be a port on the back of the PC near the USB ports.

i dont see it, argh!!!!!!!!

Whats the model # on your Dell?

Hit me up on AIM for better help
Main365

It's the inspiron 510.

 

[alfa147x]

Could you get me a picture of the side with the headphone jack?

 

[Fardringle]

Is it a Dimension E510 desktop PC? Or an Inspiron 510m laptop?

The 510m laptop does have a Firewire port. Take a look at this document. Scroll down slightly to the large diagram that shows the front and back of the laptop open with lists of items from 1-15. Locate #7 to find the Firewire port.


Unless it was installed as an add-on PCI card, the E510 desktop does not normally ship with Firewire support. If you don't have one already, your best option really would be to buy an inexpensive card and install it (or have someone else install it) in the computer.


edit: Thanks for the heads up, alfa. I don't have any idea how the code got reversed on that link.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
Is it a Dimension E510 desktop PC? Or an Inspiron 510m laptop?

The 510m laptop does have a Firewire port. Take a look at http://support.dell.com/suppor...lang/EMF1/R1191A01.pdf. Scroll down slightly to the large diagram that shows the front and back of the laptop open with lists of items from 1-15. Locate #7 to find the Firewire port.


Unless it was installed as an add-on PCI card, the E510 desktop does not normally ship with Firewire support. If you don't have one already, your best option really would be to buy an inexpensive card and install it (or have someone else install it) in the computer.

fix your link its messed up

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
Is it a Dimension E510 desktop PC? Or an Inspiron 510m laptop?

The 510m laptop does have a Firewire port. Take a look at http://support.dell.com/suppor...lang/EMF1/R1191A01.pdf. Scroll down slightly to the large diagram that shows the front and back of the laptop open with lists of items from 1-15. Locate #7 to find the Firewire port.


Unless it was installed as an add-on PCI card, the E510 desktop does not normally ship with Firewire support. If you don't have one already, your best option really would be to buy an inexpensive card and install it (or have someone else install it) in the computer.

Ok, I get that - but installing a card at this point is not an option. Now, are there any USB-FIREWIRE adapters available?!

All I want to do is be able to edit video from HC96 through software other than s**ty Sony.

 

[Fardringle]

Unfortunately, installing a Firewire card in your computer is a much more likely option than getting a working USB/Firewire adapter cable, since such a thing doesn't exist.

USB and Firewire are completely different technologies that are not interchangeable in any way. In order to use an external Firewire cable/hub, that hub has to have an internal Firewire port to talk to or the connection won't work.

Additionally, software that uses a Firewire connection to control the video camera won't talk to the USB port even if you could manage to find an external conversion box that completely re-encodes the data stream to get the camera's Firewire port attached to a USB port in the computer.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
Unfortunately, installing a Firewire card in your computer is a much more likely option than getting a working USB/Firewire adapter cable, since such a thing doesn't exist.

USB and Firewire are completely different technologies that are not interchangeable in any way. In order to use an external Firewire cable/hub, that hub has to have an internal Firewire port to talk to or the connection won't work.

Additionally, software that uses a Firewire connection to control the video camera won't talk to the USB port even if you could manage to find an external conversion box that completely re-encodes the data stream to get the camera's Firewire port attached to a USB port in the computer.

I'm confused, can this be put in English??

Sorry, I'm technologically inept. XD

Are you saying my only option for firewire is to physically install the port to the mobo. Is that even possible?!

I may have a firewire in the back of my computer, but I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know if the inspiron 510 came with firewire? That's just so f**king weird.

Are there any outlets that will allow me to transfer video from my camcorder that can be edited on programs other than crappy Sony that isn't firewire?!!

I don't care about speed, I just want something that f**king works!1

 

[Fardringle]

I'm saying that you can't get a USB to Firewire adapter. You need to have a Firewire controller in your computer, either built in to the motherboard or installed as a PCI card.

The motherboard in the Dell Dimension E510 desktop computer does not have Firewire built in. If you ordered a PCI Firewire card with the computer, the port will probably be near the bottom of the case on the back and will look like this. If you ordered the computer with an optional Creative sound card, it's also possible that you'll have a Firewire port on the sound card that looks like this.


Not many video cameras support transferring video over USB. Most just use USB for still photos. I'm not aware of any software other than manufacturers' proprietary programs (such as the Sony software that came with your camera) that will let you access this option on your DCR-HC96.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
I'm saying that you can't get a USB to Firewire adapter. You need to have a Firewire controller in your computer, either built in to the motherboard or installed as a PCI card.

The motherboard in the Dell Dimension E510 desktop computer does not have Firewire built in. If you ordered a PCI Firewire card with the computer, the port will probably be near the bottom of the case on the back and will look like this. If you ordered the computer with an optional Creative sound card, it's also possible that you'll have a Firewire port on the sound card that looks like this.


Not many video cameras support transferring video over USB. Most just use USB for still photos. I'm not aware of any software other than manufacturers' proprietary programs (such as the Sony software that came with your camera) that will let you access this option on your DCR-HC96.

So what the f**k can I do?!!!!


AM I SCREWED?!


PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU! THIS IS BULLS**T!!!

 

[Fardringle]

If you really can't get a simple <$10 Firewire card and install it in the computer (which is pretty silly, in my opinion), then you either need to use the USB connection edit the video using Sony's software, or transfer the video to your computer as is using the USB connection and Sony's software, then edit it later using a different program of your choice.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
If you really can't get a simple <$10 Firewire card and install it in the computer (which is pretty silly, in my opinion), then you either need to use the USB connection edit the video using Sony's software, or transfer the video to your computer as is using the USB connection and Sony's software, then edit it later using a different program of your choice.

What?

Is my mobo compatible to install a firewire card??



How long would it take? If I insert a firewire card does it void my warranty??


If I transfer the video via usb, I don't think I would be able to edit it using non-sony software.


GOD THIS IS BULLS**T!!1

 

[Thrasher]

You will need a firewire connection to transfer the video from the camera to your PC in full 720x480 resolution. Although you can use the supplied USB cable to transfer video from the camera, if you use the USB connection to tranfer video it will give you low quality and less than full resolution.

I suggest you add a PCI card with firewire ports, then use the appropriate cable. A 4-pin firewire cable is all that is needed anyway.

Using a firewire connection any software (not just Sony software) will fully communicate with the camera both to control the camera and read the digital video for editting on the computer. I have never installed any software from the HC96 CD and see no need to. I use WinDV (free) to import video from the camera to my PC. I also use the capture software built into Vegas and then edit in Vegas.

 

[Fardringle]

You can install a PCI Firewire card in any computer that has a PCI slot (almost every computer has at least one or two).

Opening the case to install a PCI card shouldn't affect your warranty status unless you damage something while installing the card. Have someone that knows what they're doing install it and you should be fine.

Before you do that, though, please read your private messages so that I can check the exact specifications on your computer to determine whether or not it should already have a firewire adapter installed...