>Just posting this as a FYI for those that may not be aware.
>
>Having purchased a second hand sony handycam with usb/ firewaire and
>video out, I set about capturing to computer.
>
>The "main" computer is an old-ish but nevertheless no problems amd64
>on abit job, wads of ram, wd raptor sata hard disk, good gfx card etc,
>with no apparent issues, was running xp sp2.
>
>1/ Downloaded the Sony software, installed on this computer (above)
>and the dell inspiron 5160 laptop, have to say the sony software is
>pretty rubbish, streaming is ok, probably much to do with the
>limitations of usb. The "burn to cd" feature didn't work, at all, on
>either computer.
>
>2/ The abit mobo on the main computer unusually for abit did not have
>onboard firewire, so I bought a PCI firewire card and 4 to 6 pin
>firewire cable (4 pin on handycam, 6 pin on card... PS NEVER buy this
>stuff from pissy world, it has about a 1000%% markup)
>
>3/ Got a copy of WInDV so I didn't just have to rely on windows movie
>maker to capture from handycam via firewire.
>
>4/ failure, everything works, but keep getting device disconnected
>errors, good luck grabbing any clip longer than 30 seconds.
>
>5/ tried other capture software, inc disabling ddrivers and loaded
>dll's, no avail, same problems, start to worry if problem is newly
>acquired second hand handycam
>
>6/ reinstall virgin copy of xp sp2, rinse and repeat step 5
>
>7/ install xp media centre edition, rinse and repeat step 5
>
>8/ buy (for £3.18 in postage, not pissy world) 6 to 4 pin firewire
>adapter, so now plug 4 pin handycam into 4 pin socket on rear of dell
>laptop, instant success, grab 4 x 60 minute dv tapes full of separate
>clips in sucession with zero issues or errors.
>
>suspicions.
>
>a/ I suspect the pci firewire card, eg I suspect its similarity to the
>infamous winmodems, it didn't work at all when booted into linux.
>
>b/ I suspect the amd command set customisations imposed on xp when
>installing to a system with amd cpu as opposed to intel.
>
>c/ I suspect not using an abit mobo with onboard firewire, the "spare"
>abit intel mobo worked fine under both xpsp2 and media centre xp and
>linux.
>
>d/ I suspect that most firewire problems are down to manufacturers not
>following the firewire spec diligently enough, or using workarounds,
>or using proprietary hacks.
>
>conclusions
>
>the standard spec dell lappie is MORE that powerful enough to grab the
>full resolution video via firewire with no hiccups, dropped frames or
>other issues of any kind.
>
>the "main" PC is quite happy processing, editing and burning said
>files, when copied across the network, with sony vegas and dvd
>software, no problems of any kind and able to benefit from amd 64 + 2
>gig fast ddr + sata raptors.
>
>this experience had the "feel" of one of those computer problems that
>were not "a" problem as such, but rather two or three separate issues,
>inconsequential in themselves, that when combined forced an issue of
>some sort.
>
>step 5 above included extensive googling, registry tweaking, firewire
>speed configuration tweaks (see MS KB about this is SP 1 + 2 etc)
>anything else I could think of and find.
>
>having circumvented the problem I haven't actually definitively
>identified the problem, however, hopefully it will inspire / help
>others with apparently intractable semi random firewire issues to
>persevere and perhaps start swapping out platforms to eliminate it,
>instead of smashing the camcorder and computer in a fit of rage... lol
>
>cheers