Camcorder connections - capturing via USB?

alexakasloth · 18 Aug 2006 at 14:25

Hey all, I just got my Panasonic NV-GS180. Now i'm trying to capture some stuff in Premier pro but it says "capture device offline".

I can't find anything in the instructions to help me

Is it possible to capture via USB, or should I get a firewire cable and card?

rickyt · 18 Aug 2006 at 16:41

USB 2 is not the best for transfering footage , it's the quickest but only for short bursts .Firewire is slower but is deffinetly what you should use to transfer to PC. I have a Panasonic camcorder ,an older model [NV-GS11) and I use a firewire card together with Pinnacle 9 for capture . Does a fine job.

madmaxx · 19 Aug 2006 at 21:50

I think Firewire is the way to go - i believe my Sony can use USB to capture, but the manual has several warnings about doing so - im not sure if the quality is better using firewire, but if you can, id get a Firewire cable. I bought mine from a hideous high-street photography store for ~£12.
Enjoy!

mrk · 19 Aug 2006 at 22:02

USB will capture at 320x240 on most DV camcorders IIRC

Mine was like that but firewire captures nicely at widescreen aspect ratio (840 pixels wide)

Card only cost like £12 !

rickyt · 20 Aug 2006 at 12:21

If your looking for a place to buy your firewire card ,look no further than that well known auction site *Bay .I've bought three from there for only £6 plus P&P [each] . They come with cable and software .No problems.

Gungnir · 20 Aug 2006 at 14:08

Don't know if it's relevant but my sony cam needed USB streaming enabled in the menu before I could transfer via USB

[OZ] · 20 Aug 2006 at 14:19

rickyt said:
If your looking for a place to buy your firewire card ,look no further than that well known auction site **** .I've bought three from there for only £6 plus P&P [each] . They come with cable and software .No problems.

Or you could support the people who are being kind enough to give you these forums for free, they also have a fine selection at various prices.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Firewire_Cards.html

alexakasloth · 20 Aug 2006 at 21:30

Gungnir said:
Don't know if it's relevant but my sony cam needed USB streaming enabled in the menu before I could transfer via USB

I'll try that

Thanks for the help eveyone

rickyt · 21 Aug 2006 at 18:36

[OZ] said:
Or you could support the people who are being kind enough to give you these forums for free, they also have a fine selection at various prices.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Firewire_Cards.html

Of course ,I forgot to mention Overclockers as a first choice when buying.