Premiere 3 Capture Device Offline

[DGiger]

Using a Panasonic GS320, Win XP SP3, firewire, Premiere Elements 3.0.2 :
Cannot 'capture' video - screen says "Capture Device Offline".
I have read MANY complaints like this, but no sure-fire solutions.

Anyone solved it? Are drivers involved? Drivers for what (camera, PE 3, motherboard )???

Clue: I HAVE captured video from this camera on another PC!

[ATR]

Let us see if we can figure out together why Premiere Elements 3.0.2 is not recognizing your camcorder.


Clue: I HAVE captured video from this camera on another PC!


With this other PC, were you capturing from your miniDV camcorder to Premiere Elements 3.0.2 via Firewire also? Or, was another video editor involved?

Now, with regard to your Firewire connection to this current computer, were you using a Firewire Video Capture Card or a built in Firewire (IEEE-1394) port? Did you take the time to check the Device Control Settings (for DV/HDV) in the Capture preferences? What about the above for the captures that worked with the other computer?

Are you doing all your captures with the camcorder plugged in to power adapter?


Let us start here and see where that takes us.



ATR

[DGiger]

1. Other PC: by Firewire, I think. No other vid editor, just PE3.
2. Don't have the 'other PC' available now (2,000 miles away!). And this was over a year ago when I captured from it (just before my 70th birthday - which may explain my present poor recall!).
Currently, I DID check 'Device Control Settings' in current setup.
3. All used w/ power adapter (Panasonic GS320 requires removing battery to get access to the USB and FW ports/jacks).

PS: In 'My Computer' the video camera is NOT shown/listed.

[DGiger]

PS: With 'this/current PC' I have also tried Windows Movie Maker - it also indicates videocam not connected (or words to that effect).

PPS: I first had tried connecting camera thru USB - when I could not connect, I purchased/installed an IEEE 1394A card. Still 'no connect' after restarting PC and using the firewire cable, firewire jack.

[ATR]

My apologizes in advance for asking, but ask I must, what is your camcorder setting when you capture to Premiere Elements 3.0.2? Is it VCR?

ATR

[DGiger]

No, it is called "Tape Playback Mode" .

[ATR]

Since you have said that you cannot Capture with either Windows Movie Maker or Premiere Elements 3.0.2, this does not appear to be a Premiere Elements issue.

Let us put Premiere Elements aside for the moment and look to capture with Windows Movie Maker. I found this video in an online link. Check it out to see if you are following all the initial steps.
http://video.about.com/desktopvideo/Movie-Maker-video-capture.--48.htm

You say that, for capture, your camcorder set is "Tape Playback Mode". In all these how tos, they mention having the camcorder set in a VCR playback mode. Do you have such a setting on your camcorder? If so, have you tried it for this capture?

Usually, when people have trouble with capture in Premiere Elements, they are asked to cross check with capture with Windows Movie Maker. So, let us see how you do.

To be continued....

ATR

[DGiger]

I'll pursue your link - and try to research before I reply again.

Thank you for your interest - it has helped me ask myself some 'probing questions'!
Happy New Year!!

[DGiger]

It IS a happy New Year! (ie., video being captured!!!).
Thanks to ATR, I got focused on the fact that video also was NOT captured by Win MM.
So, I pulled my new IEEE 1394 card and placed it in another PCI slot; powered back up and .... lo, "Found New Hardware" (card) and turned camera on ... "Found New Hardware" (DV Camera).

Thank you all (ATR!) for listening to "yet another 'loose nut behind the wheel' problem" - and focusing on the problem, not my frustration!!
PS: Panasonic model GS320 was not listed under PE3's Panasonic devices, so I am using "Alternate 1" -- so far it is working, controlling camera!!

[ATR]

DGiger

Can you hear my cheers coming through cyberspace?

Congratulations and good work.

Keep the good news coming.

ATR