Getting the video camera to download

[corwin02]

Few simple things you can do
1. check if the camera is compatible with Windows 7 (a lot of older devices are not)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/com...s/default.aspx

2. If the camera uses memory cards instead of internal memory you are lot better off buying a USB memory card reader for 10 bucks and read your cards directly

3. please post make and model of your camera so I can do a proper search for any posibilities

[Eireann]

1. I'm sure it isn't, though I admit that I haven't checked.

2. It uses tapes. Otherwise, I would use the card readers on the computer tower, or as suggested, get a card reader. So much easier!

3. It's a VP-D31.

I did find this site with a driver download. I've downloaded, though not installed, the demo. If it works, I'm sticking with it - the demo will work for two hours at a time, then stop and refuse to work again until the computer is rebooted. If it allows me to download video, I can live with it until a better solution comes along.

[Eireann]

Two updates:

First, I opened up the computer tower (don't worry, the power was off!) and took a look at the card. Oh, looky here - loose. I pushed it gently into the socket and fiddled around to see how I can make it more secure. Answer: I'm not sure. I put the side panel on and turned the tower right-side up, but the card may be loose again. I don't know.

Second, I got an answer from Samsung, and I don't understand it very well. Take a look.

Dear customer,

thank you for contacting SAMSUNG customer support.

Connecting to a DV device:

✤ Connecting with other DV standard products.
- A standard DV connection is quite simple.
If a product has a DV port, you can transfer data by
connecting to the DV port using the correct cable.
!!! Please be careful since there are two types of DV ports,
(4pin, 6pin). This camcorder has a 4pin terminal.
✤ With a digital connection, video and audio signals are
transmitted in digital format, allowing high quality images
to be transferred.

Connecting to a PC:

✤ If you want to transmit data to a PC, you must install a
IEEE 1394 add-on card onto the PC. (not supplied)
✤ The frame rate recorded for video capturing is dependent on
the capacity of the PC.

Notes:
- When you transmit data from the camcorder to another DV
device, some functions may not work.
If this occurs, please reconnect the DV cable or turn the power
OFF and ON again.
When you transmit data from the camcorder to PC,
PC function button is not available in M.PLAY mode.
Do not use the camcorder and IEEE1394 together as this will
cause IEEE1394 to shut off.

System requirements:
- CPU: faster Intel® Pentium III™ 450Mhz compatible.
- Operating system: Windows® 98SE, ME, XP, Mac OS (9.1~10.2)
- Main memory: more than 64 MB RAM
- IEEE1394 add-on card or built in IEEE1394 card

Recording with a DV connection cable
(VP-D30i/D31i/D33i/D34i/D39i only)

1. Set the power switch to PLAYER
mode.
2. Connect the DV cable (not
supplied) from the DV IN/OUT port
of the camcorder to the DV IN/OUT
port of the other DV device.
Make sure that DV IN appears
on the screen.
3. Press the START/STOP button to
begin REC PAUSE mode.
PAUSE is displayed on the OSD.
4. Start playback on the other DV device while you monitor the
picture.
5. Press the START/STOP button to start recording.
If you want to pause recording momentarily, press the
START/STOP button again.
6. To stop recording, press the (STOP) button.

Notes:
- When using this camcorder as a recorder, the pictures that
appear on a monitor may seem uneven, however recorded
pictures will not be affected.
- Operation are not guaranteed for all the recommanded
computer environments mentioned above.

[Eireann]

I've given up on the FireWire. The computer does not show the hardware in the list of devices, so either something is wrong with the port, which I doubt, or the hardware, which is the only answer I can think of. Now, I'm concentrating on USB.

[corwin02]

The driver for your camera (including mass storage driver )
http://www.nodevice.com/driver/VP-D31/get70625.html

The service manual
http://www.nodevice.com/manual/newma.../get72245.html

The user manual
http://www.nodevice.com/user_manual/...er/vp-d31.html

[Eireann]

That's the same driver I found on the Samsung site, the one that didn't install, no matter how long I left it. I've downloaded it and tried installing it again - no luck, so far.

[Chromatix]

If the card is loose in the slot, then you should secure it with the screw at the top of the bracket. If *that* doesn't secure it, then something else is wrong.

[Eireann]

It's secure. I checked it again. It just doesn't show up on the hardware list, so I emailed the guy who sold it to me and asked what brand it is (no answer yet).

[Eireann]

Aaaaaand, the drivers didn't install. Samsung needs to get on the ball, here.

[emax4]

Make sure that you install the drivers for the FireWire card too, if you haven't already. Even if the post-installation screen doesn't instruct you to restart, go ahead and restart your computer anyway.

Sometimes if you attempt to install the same driver a second time, the only prompt that appears may only allow you to uninstall the drivers or device. If that's the case, go ahead and do that, then reinstall the drivers one more time. The drivers for the card may have come on a smaller CD, but try getting them from the manufacturer's site and download them there, which are probably the latest drivers.

[Eireann]

I'm still waiting to hear from the guy who sold me the card; I don't know what brand it is, so I don't know which driver to download. I hope he contacts me soon. He's rather lost, too - he's familiar with Mac and Linux, not Windows.

[emax4]

Actually, it wouldn't be that hard to figure out.

Turn off the computer, open the case, and remove the FireWire card. There should be a main chip on the card itself. From my experiences, it should have the name of the manufacturer on the chip, which might be VIA (brand) followed by a series of letters and numbers. I did a google search for "VIA firewire card" and got this:

http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/peripherals/1394/

The column of Product would have that identification, if it is in fact a VIA brand card. I hope this helps.

[Eireann]

Thanks! Since I'm using it now, I'll wait until later to check.