[Jeff David]

Signal flow? I assume you mean the volume settings and master bus, preview, and then the volume setting in the panel to the left of the screen that has the red dot that is clicked on to activate the recording button feature?

I always check those items and strive to always set them the same. I also try to have the microphone in the same exact position and record in the same exact location. Although, now that you mention it, I put the master bus down to approx the 42 mark from when it was higher at the 15 mark. I did this cause the previous recordings had static and reduced it down to the 42 mark and left it there when I made my new recordings. It was then that I got the hollow, echoing sound – for lack of a better description.

So then I would assume if it turn the bus up to 15 again – it would sound the same, but it doesn’t.

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

Yes – I must have looked at that port/connection on my computer 1000 times but never paid attention to it and never understood what it was. When I first started to capture footage into my computer I did some reading and they said to get an express card so that’s what I did and used the slot for the express card.

I was looking into replace the express card hardware but I was told you have to replace the entire board that its all part of the same board. That’s when I was reading my manual and it explained that alternative port is to connect the firewire direct to computer.

I felt somewhat silly never having realized what that alternative port was for but I’m happy to have it.

When I went to buy the 4 pin to 4 pin cable for it, the tech guy was saying that that port was prob shot too. I told him I had never used it and he said dust often gets in there and he was predicting it would not work but so far it has.

Of course, as we have seen, there is all kinds of erroneous information circulating. The best advice I got was from you and other people on this board!

Thanks!

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

Lol – apparently the “DAZZLE” still is sold as that was another thing the incompetent BestBuy rep recommended!

I was telling him about the Pinnacle and how they didn’t make it anymore, and he told me that I could use “DAZZLE”.

I know Bestbuy reps are not the best source and this experience really proves it.

I figured they were prob giving me bad advice.

Thanks,

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

Thanks John!

Yup – I figured it out when I called the company. Yup it would transfer the vid only as SD as you already knew.

It’s funny because I never realized I had an alternative connection/port on my computer for the firewire. Apparently the slot where my express card goes is no longer functioning. I didn’t know that was the problem so I spent lots of time trying other things then I realized it might be the express card slot was not working. Going through my computer manual is when I learned that there was an alternative port for firewire on my computer. It’s not a slot but just a small rectangle shape port like the end that connects to the camcorder – both connections are the same.

Oddly enough, the first 4 pin to 4 pin cable I bought was defective!

The connection was intermittent, which could have fried my camcorder but didn’t.

I brought the cable back and got a much better one and viola – so far so good.

Thanks for the help! Still working on the project – just a little more voice over and it’s done.

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

The tech dude in the store I bought the 4 pin to 4 pin firewire cable from had mentioned if the new cable did not work, I could buy a usb to firewire cable and get the footage into my computer by connecting to the usb port on my computer instead of the firewire port.

I am guessing that even if I had found a usb to firewire cable that it might only transfer Sdef? Hmm – not sure.

But I don’t have to worry about that as long as the alt, small, firewire port continues to work!

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

Graham – I confirmed w Vidbox that the vidbox CAN transfer the video from my camcorder into my computer but it only does standard definition, not HD.

The yellow av port on my camcorder is only analog so although it’s possible to get the footage into a computer, it will be standard def. not high def.

So the point of buying the vidbox was that it would get the footage into the computer, if my alternative IEEE 1394 port was not functioning.

Of course, the Bestbuy tech rep did not know or did not tell me it would only handle standard def.

Wow – I learned a lot.

Fyi!

Thanks!

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

Well, as mentioned, I am not very good technically. I am learning all the time.

The VIDBOX came up in conversation with the Bestbuy rep. I went to Bestbuy to see if I could get a usb to firewire cable. This was before I tried the NEW better quality 4 pin to 4 pin cable and realized that solved the problem.

Bestbuy did not have the usb to 4 pin cable and then the rep told me I could get the footage into my computer using the VIDBOX.

I am going to return the vidbox now that I got the connection w the 4 pin to 4 pin firewire cable but I wanted the vidbox just in case the 4 pin to 4pin cable did not work.

Was the tech rep wrong? I know there can be lots of wrong info given out. Had I needed to try the VIDBOX I was going to call up the company first and confirm that it would transfer the hd video. The Bestbuy rep claimed it would.

I know from prior research that PINNACLE use to make a box that would allow the transfer but they stopped making it and I could not find any on Amazon or uh that other service.

I have some articles somewhere that went over all of this and I kinda, sorta think I “Might” be right.

I.e. don’t bet your life on my info! haha!

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

Wow! I guess I should be grateful as that sounds really complicated.

I had a little bit of trouble w firewire 4-5 years ago when I first got the camcorder but then had 4-5 years or relatively no issues until about 3 months ago. It took me three months to get this figured out. OF course -I didn’t work on it for many long periods fo time as it’s just a hobby but it’s been 3 months.

I should have known it was the firewire port as it made odd noises, but I did not know how to check it out and kept thinking it was the driver or something else. It finally hit me the other day that the firewire slot was most likely bad. I didn’t know how to go about repairing it though but finally realized I had to do something with it.

I was going to replace it or see if I could install a new one. That is when I noticed in the manual that I had the alternative small port 4 pin to 4 pin with the small connector on both ends of the cable.

The shop that I bought the cable from, said that the firewire technology in the computer can’t be fixes as it’s all part of the board – both the slot and the small port.

It was bad luck that the first cable they sold me was crap and faulty. I could have fried my camcorder as the firewire connection would be lost and I would wiggle the cable to see if I could get the connection again and you can fry the camcorder if the camcorder is on when you plug the cable in. But I had to have the cable on in order to jiggle the cable to see if I could get the connection. I really risked it.

The new cable is much superior quality so I’m hoping the capture via hdvsplit continues to work!

Thanks again for your help!

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

SORRY FOR CAPS – NOT YELLING JUST WANT TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR TEXT FROM MINE. PLEASE EXCUSE THE CAPS.

THE ISSUE WAS THE EXPRESS CARD OR EXPRESS CARD SLOT WAS NOT WORKING AND WHEN I FOUND I HAD THE ALTERNATIVE PORT TO CONNECT A 4 PIN TO 4 PIN FIREWIRE CABLE – THE FIRST CABLE I BOUGHT WAS A JUNK, DEFECTIVE CABLE.

I WAS AT BESTBUY TRYING TO BUY A USB TO FIREWIRE CABLE BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY. I WAS TOLD THAT WAS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION ALTHOUGH I MAY HAVE READ THAT USING USB TO FIREWIRE IS NOT GOOD AS IT LOSES QUALITY OR MAY ONLY TRANSFER SDEF. I AM NOT POSITIVE I HAVE THAT RIGHT?

THE BEST BUY REP SUGGESTED I COULD ALSO USE “VIDBOX” TO TRANSFER THE VIDEO – $69/

I BOUGHT IT JUST IN CASE THE NEW 4PIN TO 4 PIN CABLE DID NOT WORK.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/video-conversion-for-pc-windows/5591332.p?skuId=5591332&extStoreId=&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=3a477617-d4b8-4b6e-8a6b-1bf31a288dd3&ksprof_id=3&ksaffcode=pg252485&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2&gclid=Cj0KEQjwhMjKBRDjxb31j-aesI4BEiQA7ivN-EzQfn_Ot2fMZGTwtY7AMyRbjGI9aNvku8BVWB5KB74aAqc18P8HAQ

SO I ENDED UP USING THE ALTERNATIVE, SMALLER FIREWIRE PORT W THE 4 PIN TO 4 PIN CABLE

THE ALTERNATIVE FIREWIRE PORT IS JUST A SMALL PORT, WITH BOTH ENDS OF THE CABLE THE SAME, SMALL, RECTANGULAR PLUG ON THE END – NOT LIKE THE EXPRESS CARD SLOT WHICH IS WIDE AND HAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PLUG THAT PLUGS INTO THE FIREWIRE CARD

THE CABLE FOR THE SMALLER FIREWIRE PORT THAT WORKS LOOKS LIKE THIS:

https://cables4sure.com/firewire-cables-4pin-to-4pin/6ft-4pin-to-4pin-firewire-cable.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwhMjKBRDjxb31j-aesI4BEiQA7ivN-JEUCbwaT3l_x9MX84A1GAtT2DK5ZWGRf3KyuWaCLQ4aAnIZ8P8HAQ

THE CABLE FOR THE FIREWIRE, “CARD” – THAT DOES NOT WORK – LOOKS LIKE THIS:

https://www.sfcable.com/3ft-6-pin-to-4-pin-ieee-1394-firewire-cable.html?gdffi=afde19f4670e4f608861514cfe93a30d&gdfms=68546C9C7931452EBA784B19B4CB16F0&gclid=Cj0KEQjwhMjKBRDjxb31j-aesI4BEiQA7ivN-KRK2u7ZObXK_NgkGUE-rUZs3y7_W28FiunRl2P6yCsaAprn8P8HAQ

I HAD A HUNCH THE EXPRESS CARD SLOT WAS BAD SO I BOUGHT A CABLE FOR THE ALTERNATIVE COMPUTER PORT YESTERDAY BUT I HAVE NOW PROVEN THAT CABLE WAS BAD. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I EXCHANGED IT FOR A DIFFERENT CABLE THIS MORNING AND THE NEW CABLE HAS THE FIREWIRE/HDVSPLIT/CAPTURE WORKING JUST FINE AND THE INTERMITTENCY IS GONE!!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GRAHAM!

SOLUTION! SO FAR SO GOOD! I’M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED I HOPE ALL REMAINS WELL!

I’m glad you’re getting towards a working solution. All the feedback I gave regarding the drivers still holds and still has relevance. Critical path analysis can take many forms.

YES – AGREED –

I’ve used cards on various PC TOWERS and laptops. What is your “Express Card”? It’s Make and specification?

STARTECH 2 PORT EXPRESSCARD 1394A
FIREWIRE LAPTOP ADAPTER CARD
EC13942A2

What is it plugged into on your pc/laptop?

I HAVE A SLOT ON MY LENOVO THINKPAD W530

Do you have a picture of it?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Startech-2-Port-ExpressCard-1394a-FireWire-Laptop-Adapter-Card-EC13942A2/14860258?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000536815&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40881318032&wl4=pla-78811525112&wl5=9002279&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=14860258&wl13=&veh=sem

What are the inputs? Of course one of them has to be 1394.

NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN. FOR THE EXPRESS CARD SLOT (THAT I AM NO LONGER USING) IT’S A 4 PIN TO A 6 PIN IF THATS WHAT YOU MEAN. IT GOES INTO THE SLOT ON THE COMPUTER

Anything else? What else have/had you connected to that card?

NOTHING ELSE. I THOUGHT ABOUT TRYING SOME OTHER DEVICE, CEPT I HAVE NO OTHER DEVICE.

I’m suspecting the intermittences may just be due to another issue/option.

IT WAS THE CHEAP CABLE – AS MENTIONED I RETURNED THE CHEAP, MALFUNCTIONING CABLE TODAY AND SO FAR THERE IS NO INTERMITTENCY AND THE HDVSPLIT/CAPTURE IS WORKING JUST FINE! THE CAMCORDER IS RECOGNIZED AND HDVSPLIT HAS NOT CUT OUT AT ALL!

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.

[Jeff David]

I may have solved the problem.

Like I was saying, I was thinking maybe the issue was the Express card or the slot that it plugs into. While reading over my computer manual, I realized I ALSO have a IEEE1394 CONNECTOR port.

So the end of the cable that connects to the camcorder has a small, rectangular plug that plugs into the camcorder. The IEEE1394 port on the computer has the same type of end/plug that would take the rectangular end of the plug. It’s not a SLOT for the express card but a separate, different type of port that allows camcorders to capture footage into the computer. So I bought a 4 pin to 4 pin cable at a tech shop near where I live and plugged it in. ]

The good news is I got the connection and was able to capture footage into my computer. The bad news is, if the cable is touched in any way – or even not touched – I lose the connection. It was intermittent. Upon wiggling the cable and unplugging and replugging the 4 pin to 4 pin cable in, I was able to get it to work, intermittently. At first it took quite a bit of messing w the cable and the plug in part but eventually I got it to work for awhile.

Towards the end, it seemed to be holding the connection.

However, I know that plugging in the cable while the camcorder is on can fry the board so not srue If I have really won as it took quite a bit of plugging and replugging the cord in and jiggling it to get it to work. I think this could lead to my camcorder being fried.

That port that I was using today, I have never used it in the past and the cable is a new cable so I don’t understand why it would work intermittently like that.

At least I know it’s not the Legacy driver or anything else. It has something to do w that extra port I was usig today and the express card slot must be broken as I suspected.

Lenovo quad core i7 16gb of ram, Windows 8.1 MS 13 64 bit Thumbnail is view out of the Olde North Church window where the signal lanterns were hung, as in, \”1 if by land 2 if by sea\” looking across the Charles River to the Charlestown Naval Yard where rebels awaited the signal April 18th, 1775.