MSP7.0 doesn't work with Sony DSR-20P

[Kris1]

Has anyone any ideas on this one ? Is it possible MSP can't access DVCAM devices ? I tried this device on two different PC's now with the MSP7.0 trial version, and it works _partly to absolutly not_. Let me explain :

1) In Video Capture, I can get device control if I adjust the TimeCode offset by a value of 4. Otherwise, device control remains greyed-out.
2) In Video Editor the deck becomes unusable when trying to use Instant Playback. As known, the Timecode offset can't be altered, and the quoted recognized device may or may not show "Sony". Sometimes it simply remains blank. No output seems to get through the Firewire port.

Using my own NV300 Panasonic cam, I have no problems what so ever. I've tried different versions of firewire cards with different types of chipset already (Ti, Lucent/Agere and VIA), to no avail. The problem only seems to crop up with MSP, as other programs that I installed (P6.5 or even Studio8) had no problems using the deck. So at least I'm sure it's not a defective port, cable or corrupt Windows XP messing with me here.

Any ideas ? The person in question would really like starting to use this MSP7.0 program, but neither his DSR-20P deck nor his DSR-250 camcorder are usable under MSP at this time. Please note, both devices are DVCAM, though the DSR-250 is quoted to be DV compatible too. I don't know too much about this kind of stuff, so any help would be highly appriciated.

Best Regards,
Kris

[Brian Ellis]

Kris

I've been working with Ulead on this problem for months. Actually, my DVCAM drive (DRV-1000P) has limited functionality with MSP 6.x, as well.

OK, what DVCAM does and does not work, according to my trials?

VCapture seems OK, for me, with default settings. I can capture both mini-DV and DVCAM tapes droplessly. I cannot capture scene-by-scene with Scan, but this may be a camera problem (no timestamp).

VEditor: Export to tape works fine, with automatic recording in DVCAM format, even when the original is DV (I believe the only difference is that DV has a 10 um track width, while DVCAM is 15 um, but the signals have identical formats).
Print-to-tape and exporting from the preview window do NOT work, yet. In fact, the data streams are there, but the DVCAM (and some DV camcorders) drives do not start in record mode.

Hopefully, we'll have a patch for it ASAP, but it is apparently not a banal problem. I must have done trials on at least 20 different software combinations, with ad hoc dlls and still haven't hit the jackpot.

Please be patient.

[Kris1]

Thanks for the confirmation, Monsieur Terrible. It helps knowing I'm not seeing ghosts, it helps even better knowing Ulead knows about the problem, and it most definitly helps seeing you in the loop.

If at any time you think I could be of service for some tests or something, just holler.

By the way, the DSR-20P records _nothing_, it will try and position the tape and then nada. Instant Playback's dead too as I said earlier.

PS : I'm sorry, but I'm all out of patience. Years of Pinnacle have SUCKED ME COMPLETLY DRY.

Kris

[Kris1]

It would look very stupid, but I wonder if hooking a DV bridge like Terratec's and use it as DV->DV would have any influence on this ? Must check that tomorrow at work. (yup, this poor sob must work on Saturdays).

[Brian Ellis]

I doubt it, but I can try with my Canopus, as well. Never thought of that!

Being (officially) retired, every day is Sunday for me. That means working harder than I've ever done in my bloody life