Can't capture HD video from HV30

[Mac+HV30 User 123]

In iMovie HD I can connect to the camera, the program recognizes that the footage is HD 1080 and iMovie can control the camera.

HOWEVER, when I press play the camera plays but I only get a blue screen on my computer. I can see and hear the video on the camera view screen, but iMovie cannot play the video or record the video.

I have several FW cables, that is not it.

Surprisingly, if I set the video to SD on the camera I can view and download video, but when I switch to HD/HDV setting, iMovie refuses to import or play.

Any suggestions..please!!

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

I had the same problem once, I had to change the firewire *port* to get it running. Make sure you don't have any other firewire device connected at the time to btw.

[Mac+HV30 User 123]

I changed FW ports several times, I also booted from another HD where I have iLife 6 installed and it does not work.

I DO have a FW800 4 port card installed. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Again, I get video and sound in SD but when I switch to HD the camera is recognized, it plays, FF and RW just no sound or video.

It does not look like the HV20 has any of these issues, just the HV30.

I wonder if the HV30 needs a more powerful machien? I hope not.

Thanks for any more help.

[troppus]

when i cap from my HV20 in Premiere CS3.. i dont see a preview.. are you able to cap the video even though its showing a blue screen?

[Mac+HV30 User 123]

Nope, all I get is the blue screen and a message saying "Capturing video" on the blue screen.

When I press stop, nothing was captured.

I think it has to be my Mac is two slow. It is a Mirror Door dual 1GHz with 1.5 gig of ram.

iMovie specs state that is the minimal machine for the job. I guess I am screwed. I have a duplicate Mac at work, but it has dual 1.25GHz processor, and the camera works fine with that Mac but not the one I have at home.

Bummer!!!!!!!

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

It will work with the one you have home too. Remove all non-Mac hardware, e.g. third party PCI cards and USB/firewire devices. Re-install Mac OS Tiger or Panther (I don't know if Leopard is to blame). Install iMovie, and all the subsequent OS updates.

Connect the HV30. It now *should* work because you have a virgin machine.

Then, add the third party hardware one by one, reboot, and retry the HV30 capture. You will eventually find which hardware part, driver or other library creates the problem.

Sure it's a hell to do all that, but it's the only way to debug your problem.

[Mac+HV30 User 123]

Well.....I am going to try a few more things before I do a "virgin" install like you suggest.

But you are right, that will be my last resort if nothing else works.

Now, where did I put that stupid Tiger install DVD..dang.

Thanks so much for your help, smart and cute....nice.

[Mac+HV30 User 123]

Success, I pulled out the FW 800 card, and as I suspected it was the culprit.

Thank you for all your help and ideas. I have 5 Hard drives, 4 internal and one connected eSATA cord external so I have plenty of drives to install another system on. I have 3 FW800 external drives, so I guess I had better find a FW800 card that will be more compatible. : (

Any suggestions?

So, off I go to do some fun movie making.

OH NO...... I just remembered, I have to get a BluRay burner for my computer and a BluRay player for the TV to really enjoy my new camera.

Hmmmmm......BluRay burner 500.00 and BlueRay player $399.00.

I guess I better get a third job.