Here's what I have, what do I need?

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Ok, I have a Sony TRV-280 Handycam and a Dell Dimension 8400 w/ Windows XP
Media Center. My camera came with software (Picture Package) that is not
compatible with my Philips DVD +-RW. Therefore I want to try using Movie
Maker. I am VERY familiar with Photo Story 3, but have never used MM. What
do I need to buy in order to get this party started?!? Do I need to buy a
firewire? Is it simply a cable? How does it plug into your computer?
Through the USB port? I am so confused! I have been at this ALL day!

See my other post from earlier today to see my problem. ("Blue screen, no
movie")

Thanks so much!
Julie
 
Clueless said:
Ok, I have a Sony TRV-280 Handycam and a Dell Dimension
8400 w/ Windows XP Media Center. My camera came with
software (Picture Package) that is not compatible with my
Philips DVD +-RW. Therefore I want to try using Movie
Maker. I am VERY familiar with Photo Story 3, but have
never used MM. What do I need to buy in order to get
this party started?!? Do I need to buy a firewire? Is
it simply a cable? How does it plug into your computer?
Through the USB port? I am so confused! I have been at
this ALL day!

See my other post from earlier today to see my problem.
("Blue screen, no movie")

Thanks so much!
Julie
Click to expand...
==================================
The reviews I have seen for your Dell Dimension
8400 state that it has one IEEE 1394 port in the
rear...this is what is commonly called FireWire.

And, there's a good chance that your new TRV-280
Handycam came with the FireWire cable.

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! MVP

Digital Image
Highlights and FAQs
http://tinyurl.com/aczzp

Making Good Newsgroup Posts
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
==================================
The reviews I have seen for your Dell Dimension
8400 state that it has one IEEE 1394 port in the
rear...this is what is commonly called FireWire.

And, there's a good chance that your new TRV-280
Handycam came with the FireWire cable.
Click to expand...

My configuration is not the same, but I have an XPMedia Center CPU
with Firewire port, and a Sony Handycam. Neither came with a
Firewire. I had to buy the cable.

Her Sony will have a connecting receptacle marked "DV". That's where
the Firewire plugs in. If she has a cable with that connection, she
has a Firewire. If she only has the cable that fits in the receptacle
with symbol that looks like a stick man lying down, she has only the
USB cable.

The Sony should capture with the USB cable. The Firewire would be
better, but the USB will work for MM2.1 and Sony.

The Sony Picture Package she refers to is worthless. I never have
figured out any use for it.

She should also be thinking about how to burn a DVD once she gets the
movie made. Hopefully, the system came bundled with NeroVision
Express. She's gonna need it. Also, DVD-R disks.

By the way, if she's trying to capture using the Sony Picture Package,
it does *require* a Firewire. If she's capturing in MM2.1, USB will
work.
 
That all sounds great, Tony and I hope your right. But if you saw my earlier
post (Blue screen, no movie) when I tried to capture w/ the USB there was no
preview. I mean it seemed to be working except there was no picture or
sound. It captured a blue screen. I was able to save it on my desktop, but
again... blue screen (no sound or picture). A couple times I got that
familiar message about it already being in use, or whatever. I am just
trying to figure out if it is because I wasn't using a firewire. I can do it
w/ live recording. But not from a tape. I just don't know what I am doing
wrong.
 
That all sounds great, Tony and I hope your right. But if you saw my earlier
post (Blue screen, no movie) when I tried to capture w/ the USB there was no
preview. I mean it seemed to be working except there was no picture or
sound. It captured a blue screen. I was able to save it on my desktop, but
again... blue screen (no sound or picture). A couple times I got that
familiar message about it already being in use, or whatever. I am just
trying to figure out if it is because I wasn't using a firewire. I can do it
w/ live recording. But not from a tape. I just don't know what I am doing
wrong.
Click to expand...

I can't really help, but I can point out some things for you to check.
Based on personal experience I can tell you that a Firewire or USB
cable, or the port they plug into, can be present but not be working.

"Devices" tells you that you have a USB port or a Firewire port.
Devices does not tell you if they work. I solved one problem by
plugging in my USB cable into a different USB port. I solved another
problem by replacing the Firewire card. I haven't had a bad cable,
but I recognize that I could. It could even be a matter of a chunk of
lint in the connection.

Quite often, when I run into a problem from an unknown source, I clear
the temp files, defrag the system, change the cables from one port to
another, and re-boot. It's amazing how many times that solves the
problem.

Why would you capture to desktop? The normal, default, destination
for capture is "My Videos". I don't know why. If the video is ending
up on desktop, you've set something. You may have set something
incorrectly.
 
On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 22:53:35 GMT, Tony Cooper


I meant to add, Julie, that the best step to take with your problem -
if it's possible - is to take your camera to someone else's computer
and try to capture with their cable. Then with your cable.

That doesn't solve anything, but it tells you whether the problem is
with your camera or with the computer.

If you know someone with a computer, hie thee there.
 
Thank you so much for your input, Tony. I am going to try a couple things
you suggested and I am also just going to go buy a firewire. They are not
that expensive and it sounds like it would work better even if I could get my
USP cord to work. I haven't even begun to have fun with it yet! Oh, and I
only put it to my desktop because that was quick and easy. It was just a
clip I was experimenting with. Like I said, I haven't even made my first
movie yet. So thank you for your help!!!
Julie
 
Tony, I forgot to say....
You mentioned before I need NeroVision Express. My computer came with Sonic
MyDVD and RecordNow for DVD burning. Is that what you meant? I don't know
what NeroVision Express is. I've made lots of DVDs w/ Photo Story.

Also, I'm pretty sure I mentioned this before but I AM able to capture w/ my
USB cable if my camera is in Record mode (previews what my camera is seeing
live). Perhaps you answered this and I missed it, but why would it work that
way, and not in the Play/Edit mode using my already recorded tapes?
Thanks again!
Julie
 
Tony, I forgot to say....
You mentioned before I need NeroVision Express. My computer came with Sonic
MyDVD and RecordNow for DVD burning. Is that what you meant? I don't know
what NeroVision Express is. I've made lots of DVDs w/ Photo Story.
Click to expand...

I meant that you need a dedicated program that burns DVDs. Nero is
the premier maker of programs that burn CDs and DVDs. It is not the
only program, though, and if Sonic MyDVD works for you, then continue
to use that and don't worry about Nero.

I would recommend Nero to anyone that doesn't already have a dedicated
CD/DVD burning program. Also, NeroVision Express comes bundled with
some set-ups. If I had something that worked, though, I wouldn't
change. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Also, I'm pretty sure I mentioned this before but I AM able to capture w/ my
USB cable if my camera is in Record mode (previews what my camera is seeing
live). Perhaps you answered this and I missed it, but why would it work that
way, and not in the Play/Edit mode using my already recorded tapes?
Thanks again!
Julie
Click to expand...

Over my head.
 
Hi Julie
See your other posts for some responses that should get you going.
As far as this thread goes Sonic MyDVD will create your DVD's for you but I
can also tell you that once you get going Sonic, especially the LE version
that comes with Dell computers, doesn't pack much of a punch. Tony is right
about Nero the newest version is great. Older versions suck IMO and none are
as good as Ulead but Nero is a great program to have for anybody that has a
DVD burner. I don't use it for DVD Authoring but I use it for many other
things involving my burner whether it be for DVD's or CDR's.
-Wojo
 
I see, thank you! My whole problem ended up being my lack of a firewire.
But then I realized my camera wouldn't work w/ hi8 tapes. So after much
researching and hemming and hawing, I decided to return it and buy the Sony
TRV480 Handycam. NOW I can get this party started!!! Thanks so much for all
your help!

Until my next problem!,
Julie
 
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