The Record The Crystalume Caper

JCAllison

Hey All,
This morning there is GOOD NEWS and BAD NEWS.

The GOOD NEWS is that the JVC HR-DVS2U Mini DV/S-VHS Video Cassette Recorder has been moved into The Crystalume Video Recording Studio.

The BAD NEWS is that for years and years, have been laboring under the impression that this VCR could be used to upload the contents of the MiniDV Tapes recorded on the Panasonic Camcorder to The Scryer PC, via IEEE 1394 Firewire.

Alas, THAT is not the reality!

The VCR has only Composite and S-Video OUT ports, neither of which are Digital. The FALSE impression under which I have been laboring is the result of TOTAL IGNORANCE on MY part!

The upshot of all this is that the VCR MAY be totally useless in this application.

Still, the question has to be asked: Is there any way to digitize S-Video and Composite Video?

Also, it is NOT a TOTAL LOSS, in that there happens to be her a number of VHS Tapes tapes here that will (if this unit is still functional), be able to be played.

Anyway, there is nothing else to report, other than little-by-little, bit-by-bit, step-by-step we are making nearly NO progress! It's a lot like the turtle that can only advance half the distance to the finish line with each step. If we continue doing this, it MAY be that this race will NEVER end.

Take care everyone.

JC

JCAllison

Hey All,
Have just spent the past three hours with The Scryer, Windows 7 x64, the Panasonic Camcorder, Windows Movie Maker, Video Meld, and Google.

Have told the Win7 Device Manager to update the Driver for the Panasonic Camcorder, and it messaged back that the Driver was already the latest. Told the Device Manager to update the Driver for the IEEE 1394 Card in The Scryer. and it messaged back that the Driver was already the latest. DM also said that the Panasonic Camcorder was working properly, as was the IEEE 1394 Card in The Scryer.

Looked at the Firewire Cable, and found that the Connector at the Camcorder was 4-Pin, the one at The Scryer was 6-Pin. In going over the Camcorder Operating Instructions, came across a nuance that seemed to be significant. It is on Page 6, Item 5: Ferrite Cores for DV Interface Cable. Found a Firewire Cable with the Ferrite Cores installed. It has 4-Pin Connectors on each end.

Shut down The Scryer, and Camcorder, and swapped out the 4/6-Pin Cable for the 4/4-Pin Cable with the Ferrite Cores. Rebooted The Scryer, and Camcorder. Opened Windows Movie Maker, and told it to access the Camcorder.

Got told that it was in use with another program.

Per MarkE's suggestion, shut down all the Windows Services that aren't absolutely necessary, a VOILA'

IT MADE ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER!

Anyway, isn't this fun you guys?

Take care while I continue to wander willy-nilly through the fog.

JC

MarkE19

When I said disable them I meant just stop the likes of the ant-virus software from running.

One possible option is to boot the PC into Safe Mode (press F8 when PC is booting up but before Windows starts) as this runs a minimal amount of Windows features and stops many other programs the automatically run when the PC boots from ever getting going. This 'might' help resolve the issue with the camcorder.

When you plug the camcorder into the PC is it detected by Windows? If not thgen try rolling back the firewire (ieee1394) to the Legacy driver - Changing to the Legacy IEEE-1394 (Firewire) Driver in Windows 7

The IP cams are similar to the box camera that had the network connection although they will probably have a smaller lens so will not offer the same quality. But as we have said a few times it may still be good enough for what you want to do.

If looking for some software to just capture from the camcorder then this old but free program is well regarded - WinDV

The internal camcorder battery can be swapped out on some camcorders, in these cases it is most likely a button battery similar to the CR2032 - https://www.amazon.com/Energizer-2032-Battery-CR2032-Lithium/dp/B0042A9UXC/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1530305085&sr=8-5&keywords=cr2032
However it might literally be soldered onto the motherboard of the camcorder so no easy way to get it replaced - if it is rechargeable then there is a good chance this is what it is like.

You can digitise an S-Video signal but if coming from the miniDV tape it is going from digital to analogue, out on a lowish quality cable to a digitizing device and the conversions are likely to cause a fair loss of quality. But if trying this route then get something like this - https://www.amazon.com/Capture-Recorder-Converter-Adapter-Camcorder/dp/B00RN13JUM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1530305699&sr=8-3&keywords=ezcap

I think I've covered most of what you were asking (but mostly in reverse order I think), but if not just point me in the right direction and I'll have another go.

Mark.

JCAllison

Hey MarkE,
Actually what was stopped was some Canon and HP Printer stuff because there are no printer connected to The Scryer. Also stopped some Adobe Acrobat stuff which is never used on The Scryer.

Will give that a try, but not today. Am pretty much burned for the remainder of Friday.

Yes, as soon as it is turned on. Win 7 makes a distinctive sound when the Camcorder is detected, and also when it stops being detected. Device Manager says it is "Working Properly", as is the FireWire card in The Scryer.

Well, it IS detected, but might give the Legacy Driver a try just to see what it does. BTW, just spent $32.43 with Driver Easy to get a three computer license that automatically updates to the latest drivers from the manufacturers of devices installed. Instead of using the Windows Drivers embedded in Win7.  

What made me reference the IP Cams is that they are digital, not analog (is this correct?). Remember, just because they get found doesn't mean that they are going to get acquired. Won't do that tll we're sure of what all will be involved with setting up something that WILL ACTUALLY work. Have to say that from when the decision to do Video was made a long time ago, till today, it has NEVER worked! Were close many times, but something ALWAYS went amiss.

Have already down-loaded it. Am going to have to read how to make it work. As for the Camcorder, it isn't listed in the list of devices. The only one there is Microsoft DV.

The Operating Iinstructions indicate that it should be stored un-charged, and then charged for four hour with the Power Switch OFF. That is supposed to be good for three months. Was charged today for four hours, and then the time was set in the "Finder". It's still plugged into the Charger, and the Time/Date indicator is still working, but will unplug the Charger when turning everything off tonight, and we'll see if the Time/Date will still be in the Finder tomorrow

Have seen this kind of device. Takes Composite, and turns it into to USB. Might work with the Panasonic, as IT has Composite and S-Video OUT along with Firewire which we can't get to work.

You done good!

Anyway, pressing onward. We're going to get this figured out sooner or later. Would rather it be sooner. Also... have you noticed that this "Caper" thread has been getting read quite a bit, but only YOU, are still responding. Mr. Boundry, and Harry have kind of backed off. Hope they weren't offended by something that was written. While it IS in my nature to be effusive, it is not in my nature to be offensive.

Thanks for the response. Take care.

JC

JCAllison

Hey All,
Have made a "baby" step type progress.

Charged the Panasonic Camcorder's Battery yesterday for four hours with the Power switch OFF. This is supposed to charge the Built-In (and apparently non-replaceable) Battery that maintains the Time/Date (and probably OTHER stuff) Display in the "Finder". Then last evening, disconnected the Charger from the AC Power. This morning when the Camcorder was turned on, wonder of wonders, the Time/Date Display was STILL functioning, a definite indication that Built-In Battery is NOT completely non-functional.

In pursuing the solution to the problem of the Error Message that the Camcorder is in use by another program, found THIS:

Cam being used by another application

Have done what it suggests, but am occluded from actual accomplishment by not knowing HOW to do all that is instructed using the recommended application.

Also, have at MarkE's suggestion, tried to "F8 at boot", but to no avail. The Scryer boots normally anyway.

So we're continuing to pursue, which is kind of hard because at this point we're still dead in the water.

Anyway, am trying to get a handle on what else can be done, and discern the order in which it should be done.

Am tempted to connect the Camcorder to the Scepter X32 TV, aim it at The Crystalume's Torn Screen, and just go ahead and start playing in order to see what it will do. We won't be recording, but at least will be able to see some images, and start to get my "chops" back. As any musician will tell you, if you haven't played for a while, when you re-start, you're "out of practice". That is also true with The Crystalume Vusic Instrument.

Hope you all are well, and taking excellent care.

JC

JCAllison

Hey All,
Have just had a WONDER OF WONDERS moment!

Aimed the Panasonic Camcorder at The Crystalume Screen (with the terrible looking "rip" in it), with the intention of just going ahead with seeing how it looks, and there, almost right in the MIDDLE of the image on the Sceptre X32 TV, was the rip.

Plugged The Crystalume to the AC Outlet, turned OFF the room lights, and turned on The Crystalume. The WONDER OF WONDERS is that the rip has no effect whatsoever! With the room lights off, it disappears, and The Crystalume image is not affected at all by the rip.

Have for YEARS worried about this, and just now all the worry has melted away. One small step for ME. One GIANT LEAP for The Crystalume!

Anyway, am going to get out the REST of the Arrays, and start doing more of this.

Second point... Yesterday, MarkE posted a link for a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment:

https://www.amazon.com/Capture-Reco...?ie=UTF8&qid=1530305699&sr=8-3&keywords=ezcap

that takes the Image from the S-Video or Composite Video OUT of the Panasonic Camcorder and connects it to a USB Port on The Scryer. Am thinking that the Composite Video will continue to go to the Sceptre X32 TV, but wlll use the S-Video to USB to connect to The Scryer. Am going to go order one of those in a bit. This will bypass the Firewire connection.

Take care everyone.

JC

JCAllison

Hey All,
Got to looking at the Composite/S-Video Converter referenced by MarkE,

https://www.amazon.com/Capture-Reco...?ie=UTF8&qid=1530305699&sr=8-3&keywords=ezcap

and noticed that the Composite Video Connecters were Female RCAs. The Camcorder's Composite OUTs are also Female.

Don't think that the S-Video OUT is also Female (just not sure).

To solve this, have order THIS:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MT7JFQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Along with THIS:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SJ2T1G/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But NOW, there is another Concern: Will it be possible to connect the Composite Video OUTs to the Sceptre X32 TV, WHILE the S-Video is being sent to the Converter?

There is an instruction in the Camcorder's Operating Instructions that says to NOT connect BOTH Composite AND S-Video at the same time.

Am hoping that the S-Video will go to the Converter, and then to The Scryer's USB Port, WHILE the Sceptre X32 TV will be displaying the Camcorder's Image from the Camcorder Composite Video OUT Port. This MAY or MAY NOT happen, or even be POSSIBLE.

Will just have to wait and see.

JC

MarkE19

To get into safe mode power on the PC and start tapping the F8 key until the boot menu is displayed. If Windows starts then power it down and try again - it can take a few attempts to get to the menu.

It sounds like we are making progress, you now have the time & date staying set on the camcorder so fingers crossed we can get it connected to the PC.

Did you try setting the PC to use the legacy ieee1394/firewire driver? If so did it help?

To disable the firewire port open Control Panel and select Device Manager. Open the list of Network adapters and right click on the ieee1394 adapter and select Disable from the drop down menu. Right click on it again and select Enable.

Mark.

JCAllison

Hey MarkE,
Is THAT what we're trying to do? Is "Safe Mode" the SAME as the "Boot Menu"? The reason for the question is that at a certain in the booting The Scryer, a message comes up that says: "To enter Boot Menu, press any key". There is no "Any" key on the QWERTY! Think THAT's weird? Am also not able to call 911 because there is no 11 key on the phone! Just kidding.

Next time The Scalder is booted, will hit any key when prompted, and see what it does.

Bit-by-bit, little-by-little, step-by-step.

Not yet. Will do that later this morning.

Will let you know.

Actually Mark, have NOT done anything like this. It MAY be that the IEEE1394 Adapter has NEVER been ENABLED! Will see in just a bit.

Anyway, after dealing with The Crystalume, the Camcorder, and the Scepter TV yesterday, and finding out that the rip in the Rear Projection Screen is of no consequence, am getting REALLY pumped to do more Crystalume.

Also, as mentioned in Post 57 of this Thread have ordered an S-Video/Composite Video Analog to Digital USB Converter, and will find out if both the S-Video OUT AND the Composite Video OUT on the Camcorder can function simultaneously. If they can, will connect the S-Video to The Scryer through the Analog to Digital Converter, and the Composite Video to the Scepter X32 TV.

BTW, am getting to be MORE familiar with all this, and am not so "tense" doing everything.

Anyway, as usual, THANKS for the responses, and all the GREAT suggestions.

Hope you're having a GREAT weekend.

JC

MarkE19

Not the same, the boot menu gives you option to boot from an optical drive or USB flash drive etc instead of the hard drive.
What we want to get into is the Advanced Boot Menu - see https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17419/windows-7-advanced-startup-options-safe-mode
F8 Key – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8  
Unlikely as the camcorder is detected by the PC, if it was disabled nothing would happen when connected to the firewire port.
One thought (you may have already stated this) but are you putting the camcorder into Playback/VCR mode as you won't be able to capture from it if it is in normal Record mode.

Mark.