computer will not recognize hv20

[mikeyporter]

my amd computer cant seem to see the hv20 when i connect it by USB or Firewire, it sees the old dv camcorder through firewire but not the hv20.
any ideas?????

[24Peter]

Hi Mikey - this has been discussed on this and other forums before so you may want to do a search.

The short answer is, assuming you're on a PC, you'll need to connect via Firewire for video (USB for stills). But first you'll need Win XP Service Pack 2 installed since it gives you the HDV device drivers. Editing software capable of capturing HDV is also needed.

Search the forum and then check back if you're still having trouble.

[mikeyporter]

Hi thank you for the reply as im at my wits end, but i already have sp2 installed and im running a version of adobe premiere that allows hdv editing.

[mikeyporter]

just a thought but what files does xp sp2 use to see the hd cameras??? and can i reinstall just those files?? and where do i get them from.

[SenorKaffee]

When you connect the cam via Firewire, Windows should show a notification. "A/V Device" or something like that. Does it do so? Did you try a manual search for new hardware in the system settings?

Maybe should try to download HDVSplit, this tools does nothing more than capture the HDV data from the tape, so it is unlikely that some application problem is interfering.

[mikeyporter]

Hi ive loaded hdvsplit and it does'nt see the hv20 and when i plug the hv20 in there is no notification and i tried a manual search for new hardware and the computer found nothing.
the firewire port im plugging it in to is about 4 years old and its the one on a sound blaster audigy card so i thiought it might be too old for the camera so i installed a pci card with two on and it still does'nt see it.
are all firewire 4 pin to 6 pin cables the same???? or do i have to have a special one for hd video????

[palvik]

Do you get pop-up saying "AV/C Subunit" device found? I had the same problem few days ago and I found the answer on this forum. Try to read http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=372. You will need 3 files - mstape.inf, avcstrm.sys and mstape.sys.
avcstrm.sys and mstape.sys I've found in C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\i386\sp2.cab and mstape.inf I've found in Google :) Put all 3 files in some folder and use them while installing the "av/c subunit" device

[mikeyporter]

Hi, ive never had any notification or sound from the computer when i plug the hv20 in.
when i plug the old dv camera in the computer pings then tells me its connected but nothing with the hdv one.

thank you for your time and help with this

[meni]

Suggest you try your HV20 with another computer.
make sure to disconnect the HV20 from its power supply and have it turned off when connecting the firewire cable.

power on the camera only after it's connected to the PC.

Following the above instructions will help you avoid a situation where your HV20 firewire port is burnt and needs replacement.

[mikeyporter]

tried it on another computer and it still doesnt show up, i have got the usb working though

[fstopopen]

I'm having the same problem, so please let me know if you find a solution.

drake

[mikeyporter]

just to keep you all up to speed i have now done a full update with microsoft and the usb connection (for the still pictures) now says canon hv20 when i plug it in but the computer still doesnt see the camera on the firewire connection:hv20-smilie36:

[24Peter]

just to keep you all up to speed i have now done a full update with microsoft and the usb connection (for the still pictures) now says canon hv20 when i plug it in but the computer still doesnt see the camera on the firewire connection:hv20-smilie36:

With your camera connected via Firewire and with the output on the camera set to "HD/DV auto" (as opposed to "DV locked"), have you gone into the device manager in Windows to see if it's listed? You want something like "A/V device subunit" in "Sound, video and game controllers". If you have the camera attached and you seeing an entry for something like "Canon video camera" under "Imaging Devices" that means it sees the camera as a DV camera. You need to uninistall that driver (right click on it and select "uninstall") and then reboot the computer with the camera still connected and turned on. If have updated XP to SP2 it should install the HDV device driver ("A/V device subunit" [I'm forgetting the exact term]) in the "Sound, video and games controllers" section. I had to go through this rountine several times to get my camera installed.

The USB connection has nothing to do with the Firewire connection (different drivers).

[GregHV20]

1. Don't connect both USB and FireWire at same time.

2. Read the manual, you have to setting the OutPut to Auto or HDV.

3. on capture settings from Premiere, set the Capture Device to HDV.

4. Vegas 7e 110% compatible with HV20 from capture and editing.

If you dont see your 1394 connection at Control Panel/Network connections, or Device Manager, you have a problem with that port, maybe is disabled.

I have an Audigy MP3+ with SB1394 (firewire), I got drop frames when I use that por for capture a video. However my Motherboard (DFI NF4 LanParty Ultra-D + Athlon64 FX55) has a 1394 port built-in. I don't have any problem with it.

-Greg

[mikeyporter]

the camera is not installed in the device manager anywhere, and ive tried everything in the manual.
the canon technicians suggested that i updated the chipset drivers on the motherboard, updated the firewire drivers and update to the latest directx which is my last thing to do.
i know the firewire port is ok because it works with my other dv camcorder.

they also said if none of this works i'll have to send it back for repair.

i hope this helps anyone else in the same situation.

i'll keep you posted

[andy9000]

Hello all hv20 users. I'm new here and this is my first post.

I'm having same problem, my xp sp2 is not recognizing the camera at all. There is zero reaction from windows when I plug in the firewire cable/turn on the camera. I've done DV capture from Sony cam and it has worked fine earlier.

My problem is I'm missing those 3 files mentioned earlier. Could someone post a link or send them as private message ??

Other than that I'm in awe of this camera after reviewing the footage from the camera straight into my new 46" Sony Bravia it looks absolutely gorgeous :) :) (I got the tv yesterday). Thank you very much. This seems like a very nice forum.


Andy

[mikeyporter]

Right i seem to be getting somewhere.

the firewire port on the hv20 is faulty it only works if i push the plug in really really hard (so its going back to canon for repair) when i do this the computer recognises the camera as canon hv20 (at last)

i still cant capture anything via premier, when i get the camera back i'll investigate that then but at least its in the device manager now.

[Terfyn]

There is a problem with the Firewire socket on the HV20!!!!. My computer recognises the camera and will operate the controls "play" etc but will not download pictures. Some Firewire plugs are a bit short when it comes to connecting with the camera terminals.
The solution is a hard push into the firewire socket on the camera. It then works perfectly.
The moral is:- check the obvious before delving into the technical!

[andy9000]

Hello,

there's def a problem on my hv20. I tried connecting it to a few computers pc/mac and nothing happens.

The moral for this (to canon): Don't make products with flaws in design/cheap parts. Mine is going back for repairing. Can't wait to get it back though :)


Andy

[Terfyn]

We all seem to blame the camera. I'm not so sure that Canon are putting out faulty units.
The first Firewire cable I had did not connect at the computer end. I changed it and noticed that the plug on the computer end (6 pin) was longer on the new cable. The new cable worked with the proviso that it had to be pushed well into the HV20 before the picture information would be transmitted.
It is cheaper and easier to swap the Firewire cable and test the connection before assuming that the camera is at fault.

[andy9000]

I've done pretty extensive trouble shooting and I'm still doing it. I mentioned in earlier post that I've done DV capture (same firewire cable) from a 3ccd sony cam and it has worked flawlessly. I did try moving and pushing the firewire cable into the HV20 end quite firmly and no reaction from the computer at all. I also tried to connect the HV20 to several computers, PCs and Macs. Still no reaction.

I can try to find an another firewire cable, but this cable works on external harddisks and my other videocam. So it seems like there is some trouble in the hv20. I'll be doing thorough tests though before sending this back. I hope I can work this out without sending back.


Andy

[mikeyporter]

today i received a new hv20 and plugged the same firewire cable in and it is seen perfectly by the computer. definitly a problem woth the hv20 firewire sockets.

Mike

[joe]

I have read with interest your experiences and thought to share mine as I have struggled this weekend with the same situation. I eventually had no problem getting the camera to work in DV mode (ie. downconverting) but not HDV mode. Here is what I learned

. I started with a 3 year old DELL Dimension desktop running XP SP2 with 1 gig memory and no firewire

. purchased a vanilla IEEE 1394 firewire card and a 4->6 pin cable at my local store, installed and connected to camera - computer recognized and installed on reboot OK.

. tricky part was learning the behavior of the HV20 camera settings.
With camera disconnected to computer
(important otherwise you get greyed out DV OUTPUT option)
--> select HV20 menu
--> select PLAY/OUT SETUP2
--> select DV OUTPUT and choose..
--> HDV with this option Device Manager shows
'AV/C Tape Device'
under 'Sound, video and game controllers'
and is inaccessible to any video capture software
(including Adobe Premier Elements 3.0)
--> DV LOCKED (downconverts) setting
now rebooting camera, the Device Manager
shows Canon DV Camcorder under Imaging devices
(but not as HDV camcorder)
Also Canon icon shows up in My Computer devices
and now video capture is possible in DV mode only
(not HDV mode) using MS Movie Maker for example

I think I'll leave it as is, as I currently don't have any playback devices which
use HDV, and I'm reluctant to mess with drivers at this time.

Also interesting was the fact that the camera could not be recognized on older MAC laptops (suggesting they also need new drivers)

Hope this helps somebody else, as it cost me days....

Thanks
Joe

[24Peter]

Well I had the same problem: once I switched to DV lock to capture DV footage the computer wouldn't see it as an HDV camera anymore. Canon support was zero help on the issue. After putting the camera back in HDV/DV out, I kept trying to uninstall the Canon DV Camcorder under Imaging Devices but everytime I plugged the camera back in, the driver would revert to the DV (not HDV) driver. Eventually what I think I did (it's kind of a blur I was so frustrated) was, go into the device manager and uninstall the Canon DV Camcorder driver (with the camera in HDV out mode) and then reboot the computer with the camera still connected and turned on. After that I think the computer selected/loaded the correct driver and I was able to capture HDV footage. But I've been loathe to go back and try to capture DV footage! What a PITA...

[Jay Rider]

I just got my HV20 and am having the same difficulty uploading the camera to windows XP Home. A techie at Canon suggested I download the same files, avcstrm.sys and mstape.sys. I've spent two days trying to find those downloads. Can anyone send them to me?

Thanks, Jay

[joe]

Jay,

try the following....(assumes SP2)

copy C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\avcstrm.sys .
copy C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\mstape.sys .

mstape.inf from Google

[Jay Rider]

Thanks Joe,

I got all that. Loaded it all in, plus downloade Service Pak 2. Now the camera and my Vegas editing system are talking to each other, but I don't have any picture. I've tried pushing the firewire in real hard like some people sluggested and tried changing the preference settings on my editing system to make sure that I'm in 1080, the same way I shot. I can stop the camera, fast forward it, rewind, and hear the sound perfectly...but no picture.

[24Peter]

Thanks Joe,

I got all that. Loaded it all in, plus downloade Service Pak 2. Now the camera and my Vegas editing system are talking to each other, but I don't have any picture. I've tried pushing the firewire in real hard like some people sluggested and tried changing the preference settings on my editing system to make sure that I'm in 1080, the same way I shot. I can stop the camera, fast forward it, rewind, and hear the sound perfectly...but no picture.

If you're not seeing a preview while capturing in Vegas, it is not necessarily a problem. My understanding is preview in Vegas may be affected by your system specs (I think Vegas senses slower systems and turns off capture preivew) and/or having "show preview while capturing" selected someplace. If you're getting device control, you should be able to capture video. Check the Sony Vegas forums for more info.

[Jay Rider]

If you're not seeing a preview while capturing in Vegas, it is not necessarily a problem. My understanding is preview in Vegas may be affected by your system specs (I think Vegas senses slower systems and turns off capture preivew) and/or having "show preview while capturing" selected someplace. If you're getting device control, you should be able to capture video. Check the Sony Vegas forums for more info.
Excellent advice. I just talked to a techie at Sony Vegas (7.0) who walked me through the process just as you suggested. Her first question was how many Gigahertz does my computer have and suggested that 2.8 was the required number for seeing the picture as you're downloading. Everything else is working perfectly!! Finally!!

Why doens't Canon include some of this kind of information with the manual instead of having every one of us spending countless days running around like chickens trying to re-invent the wheel. (Forgive the mixed metaphors.)

Many thanks for all the help I got on this excellent forum!

Jay
Jay

[cblaub]

Thank you, Joe, for your right-on-target reply. I'll settle for non-hi-def DV for now.

[CycleWriter]

Next time, you might want to check the date of a thread before replying to it. This thread is almost 2 years old and Joe hasn't been back in here since August of 2007.:hv20-smilie01: Oh, and read the FAQ, newbie. Welcome to the forum.