USB Camera Capture

Retro has Returned · Post by **Retro has Returned** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:06 am

I am currently looking to capture some footage (non-AMV stuff) from my camera to my PC through USB. I no longer have the software that was bundled with the camera, and even when I did, the image was low resolution and pixely. I'm now wondering if this is caused by the USB or by the software I was using. Does capturing via USB simply cause low quality video or was it something else? Also, if it's not a USB issue, is there any free/cheap software available for capturing USB footage, Premiere 2.0 doesn't recognize or support the device.

Kariudo · Post by **Kariudo** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:42 am

I don't think it has anything to do with the software or the fact that it connects via usb.
I think that your camera is the main cause of your footage woes.

although usb can only maintain a certain data transfer rate, I doubt that this is the bottleneck for your performance.

it would help to know what brand/model camera you are using.

Retro has Returned · Post by **Retro has Returned** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:42 pm

Ah, I can assure you it's not the camera. Importing on a mac (via Firewire) produces perfect quality footage, although the only mac I own right now is one completely incapable of editing film reasonably, elsewise I would use it. The make/model is JVC GR-DV500.

Keeper of Hellfire · Post by **Keeper of Hellfire** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:00 pm

Kariudo wrote:I don't think it has anything to do with the software or the fact that it connects via usb.

In case it is a DV camera it has all to do with the use of USB and the software. Most DV camcorder do stream over USB only in Webcam-mode, with reduced resolution and bitrate. You should use Firewire instead. In case your camcorder can stream DV over USB, you are bond to a very limited number of software which can capture it. Again, to use common editing programs, you need to capture over Firewire.

Keeper of Hellfire · Post by **Keeper of Hellfire** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:04 pm

Sorry for the double post. I didn't notice the model. It is a DV camcorder, and afaik it doesn't support DV-streaming over USB. If your PC hasn't a Firewire port, get a Firewire card. It isn't expensive, you should get one around $15.

Retro has Returned · Post by **Retro has Returned** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:55 pm

Alright, thanks for the info. That's about as much as I was expecting. Any particular brand of Firewire card to watch out for good/bad?

Kariudo · Post by **Kariudo** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:31 pm

customer reviews can be very helpful.
this is the highest rated card on newegg
other cards, from highest rated to lowest (being no ratings given)