This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Entering DV Capture Mode
As the name suggests, Capture mode is where Studio manages all video capture activities. Entering Capture mode isn't as simple as it sounds.
As soon as you click the Capture tab, Studio checks to ensure that your DV capture device is running properly and your camera is connected, turned on, and in the proper mode.
If everything is configured and connected properly, the process will be invisible to you—you'll simply be ready to capture. If there are problems, however, this section can help you tackle them.
To enter DV Capture mode
- Run Studio, and at the upper left, click the Capture tab (Figure 3.1).
You are in Capture mode. If this is the first time you've entered Capture mode, Studio runs a quick diagnostic test on your system disk to determine if it's fast enough to capture video (
Figure 3.10
).
If Studio reports that your drive is too slow to capture video, defragment your drive as detailed in "Defragmenting Your Capture Drive" in Chapter 2, and test again. If the drive can't meet these minimum requirements, you need to diagnose and fix the problem, or get a new computer or drive. You can scan through the Troubleshooting appendix (Appendix B) for some tips, but you may need some additional assistance not provided in this book. When the check is completed, Studio attempts to load the DV capture driver and find the DV camera. If Studio finds the driver and the camera, the LCD panel in the Camcorder Controller will show the time code position of the tape in the DV camera and indicate that playback is stopped ( Figure 3.11 ). You are clean, green, and ready for takeoff. Proceed to Step 2.
Figure 3.10 Studio runs a quick test on your system disk the first time you enter Capture mode. To read about selecting and testing your capture disk, see "Testing Your Capture Drive" in Chapter 2.
If Studio doesn't find either the driver or the camera, an error message appears ( Figure 3.12 ). If you click OK, you enter Capture mode, but the camera LCD is completely blank and you can't capture ( Figure 3.13 ). Take the steps recommended in the error message:
Figure 3.11 Your best clue that Studio recognizes your DV capture board and DV camera is the time code displayed in the Movie window.
Figure 3.12 Ruh-roh, Scooby Doo, rumpring's rong… This is what you see when Studio can't find the driver or camera.
Figure 3.13 The blank camera LCD means you're in Capture mode, but Studio can't "see" your DV camcorder.
- Turn the DV camera off and on.
- Disconnect and reconnect the 1394 cable.
- Restart Windows and try again. After each step, see if you can enter Capture mode without error. If so, proceed to Step 2; if not, check Appendix B for troubleshooting information.
- Click the Play control button, the middle button on the top row (Figure 3.11).
Video should appear in the Player window, signifying that you're ready to capture (
Figure 3.14
). Pause the video and turn to the next section for instructions on capturing.
If you can't see video in the Player window, check Appendix B for troubleshooting information.
Figure 3.14 When you see video in the Player, your setup is working and you're ready to capture.
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Tip
- Studio doesn't pass audio through the system during DV capture, so don't sweat it if you don't hear audio during capture. Besides, unlike when you capture from an analog device, it's virtually impossible to transfer the DV video without the audio: it's stored in the same file in the camera.