Camcorder to PC Quality Problems

WHA

I'm trying to create DVDs out of my camcorder footage. The camcorder is relatively modern, a Sony Digital Handycam. The quality is fine on its inbuilt LCD screen and also when doing transfer to TV or Video. BUT, when I try to transfer it to my DVD writing package on the PC, the quality is fairly abysmal - very grainy. The problem is definitely between the camcorder and the PC. I can view other movie files and DVDs on the PC in good quality and also create good quality DVDs from other sources, so I think my PC is up to scratch. I've tried looking on the camcorder for quality settings, but there is nothing to change that I've found. I've tried looking in my DVD creation software for settings to change, but they're already at the best settings. Anyone any suggestions/ideas for what I'm doing wrong.

Camcorder - Sony Digital 8 Handycam TRV140E
Software - Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 (packaged with Freecom Classic DVD Writer)

albertross_2

are you using firewire to transfer the video? Was it recorded using lp mode.

WHA

albertross wrote:

are you using firewire to transfer the video? Was it recorded using lp mode.

Forgive me, what is firewire? As far as I know I'm not using it - I'm just using the software that came with the DVD recorder (Roxio)

No, it was recorded in sp mode.

albertross_2

firewire is a digital connection, higher quality than the analogue yellow/red/white connectors, and s-video.

WHA

albertross wrote:

firewire is a digital connection, higher quality than the analogue yellow/red/white connectors, and s-video.

No, I'm not using the white/red/yellow connectors - it is a USB lead from a USB port on the camcorder to the PC USB port. I've just been reading up on Firewire but what I've read doesn't seem to apply to the camcorder - there's no mention of it in the handbook.

albertross_2

I'm not familiar with that particular model (Sony always have to be different). Most DV uses firewire, some usb (but usually this is for still pictures). Are you using the usb streaming function?

Sony call firewire i-link. See p89/104/151 of the manual.

If you don't have a firewire input on the PC, then you can either buy a card, or buy an under the telly DV recorder with firewire input. The latter is a bit more expensive, but much less hassle.

WHA

Thanks Albertross for your help

WHA

Right, a day later...

Bought a firewire PC card today and installed it into spare slot on PC. Also bought a dv lead to connect between dv4 port on camcorder and dv6 port on firewire PC card. PC correctly identified the firewire card. So far so good.

I attached the lead between PC and camcorder, switched on camcorder. No sign of recognition from PC.

I loaded up the two different DVD creation/Movie maker software titles that I've got, neither could capture anything at all from the camcorder. It's as if the PC isn't receiving any signals from the camcorder.

So, I've gone from getting a poor quality grainy image using the USB to PC lead, to absolutely nothing using a firewire lead and firewire pc card.

HELP!!!!

The one thing I thought was strange was that there was no instruction manual nor software CD in the box with the firewire card. Should there have been something or can the PC identify it and load any necessary software automatically from Windows XP?

Cardew

Albertross is the expert here.

However I was given your model Sony and had exactly the same problem. Fine reproduction on Camera and TV. I could download it onto PC using other Software but a 10 minute clip was about 3Gb. Using supplied software it was so grainy to be unwatchable.

I tried everything and wrote to Sony who passed the buck to the software company. After many hours I gave up and sent the camera back to Amazon and got a full refund.

A pal took my tape and put it in his Panasonic camera and produced a perfect DVD.

I bought a Panasonic and now seem to have no problems.

jasonrat

i've got a tvr 140

jasonrat

will chat later about it bit busy now