unable to import footage from Sony TRV310

droliff

Active member
Hi all,

I have a Sony Digital 8 TRV310 camcorder (have had it for years and now use it as a 'second camera' behind my Panny HMC40, for web video shoots). I used to, and still am able to, import footage from the Sony into iMovie, which converts the footage into a .dv file. I'd like to be able to import the Sony footage directly into FCE 4 but am having trouble. Following is my process.

I hook my Sony TRV310 up to my Mac Pro via a firewire 400 cable, turn the camera on and switch it to VTR (play) mode. I manually cue to the beginning of the footage I want to capture.

before attempting to import Sony footage into FCE 4 I go to 'easy setup' and dial in format=NTSC and use=DV-NTSC then click the setup button. I then go to file-->capture and a small window pops up indicating that capture is being initialized (fig 1)

001a.jpg


fig 1

The the 'capture window' pops up with preview screen indicating that 'preview has been disabled' (fig 2)

004.jpg


fig 2

I then hit the 'play' button in the capture window and then hit the 'capture now' button.

A black window with 'Final Cut Express and Apple logo' pops up for a few seconds, then a warning window pops up which states 'this operation could not be completed as there is no video' (fig 3)

005.jpg


fig 3

I'm pretty exasperated at this point. I've been able to do a workaround in the past by importing Sony footage via iMovie '08 then importing the .dv file into FCE via the 'import files' method. In this instance I am providing someone raw footage from the Sony camera as well as the Panny HMC40 camera for editing in Adobe Premiere. I'm not sure that Premiere will recognize .dv files from iMovie.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Dennis

Dennis Roliff Photography
 
I do this type of tape capture also. I use FCP however. You have to set "device control off" or "uncontrollable device" or something like that (sorry, not at my machine), and manually start the tape, then manually start the capture. I always wind up doing it trial & error casue I don't do it that often.

btw, I also have a D8 TRV740 from back when - nice cams for DV.
 
Bingo!!! Thanks so much Dick. That was exactly it.
I can stop pulling my hair out now, ha ha.

Yes, I've had the Sony TRV310 for years and it's a nice little unit.

Have a great day!

Dennis

Dennis Roliff Photography
 
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