I’ve been Windows 7 beta user for some time now and recently I wanted to capture some video from our DV camcorder. Here is how well it worked in Windows 7 beta.
Attaching the camera
As I hadn’t used the video camera (Sony DCR-HC90E, SD-quality) since XP days, I didn’t exactly remember how I used to connect the camera to the computer previously. USB? Ah, firewire!
I rummaged my drawer until I found a cable and attached it to the camera and computer… and … nothing happened. Plug and play, indeed.
Power was on in the camera etc. I doubted that the firewire port in front of the case of this (self-built) computer wasn’t active, so I crawled under the desk and shoved the cable (we are still talking firewire here!) inside the port.
And… new device discovered!
Windows installed drivers for some time and after it finished, this window popped up automatically:
Cool! I wasn’t expecting this, as I would have been glad just to get the device working with Windows. I was prepared to use Windows Live Movie Maker beta or WinDV for capturing the data, but seems like I could skip that step 
The "More options" –link opens this dialog:
The "Import videos as multiple files" -setting uses similar (same?) algorithm as Windows Movie Maker to divide the video into parts where it thinks the scene changes. I chose it as the video is then easier to edit and manage.
Importing the video
After I was happy with the settings, I clicked Next in the first dialog and the capturing started:
The capturing happens in real time (it takes 60 minutes for 60 minutes of video), so be sure to reserve time for it. Plugin the camcorder to a power source, too.
Wrapping up
Finally the capture was complete and it didn’t drop any frames in the process:
Finally, Windows splitted the captured video into smaller pieces:
As a result, the folder shows bunch of videos that are ready for editing:
Closing thoughts
I was surprised how smoothly the whole process went, especially in this beta stage. Notice that I did not have to install any drivers or software for the camcorder, motherboard or firewire-port. It just worked like one would expect.
Like many previews have already stated, I agree that Windows 7 beta is already a solid operating system. It is nice to find all kinds of little things that feel right. Btw, if you haven’t read Tim Sneath’s The Bumber List of Windows 7 Secrets, I recommend you to do it now.
This desktop is relatively old – I bought the original parts in 2004 – and while Vista Ultimate worked about fine, Windows 7 works very smoothly with this. The specs are: single-core P4 3.60GHz, 3GB RAM, 256MB ATI 3650.
Not suitable for modern gaming due to slow cpu and display adapter, but decent enough for .NET development and normal desktop use for few more years. If you have similar specs and wonder if your computer is fast enough for Windows 7.
Soon, I’ll install Windows 7 beta to my work laptop (Dell Latitude 830)
January 28, 2009 at 16:20 |
I’ve got DCR-HC85E, plug it to firewall, on XP windows movie maker capture pops up, but it windows 7 nothing happens.. I’ve found that win 7 movie maker doesn’t support video capturing at all.. So what versions of windows is yours, cuz mine Win 7 Beta 7000 doesnt work with firewire for sure. :/
January 28, 2009 at 16:21 |
“Windows Import Video isn’t included in this version of Windows. To import live or recorded video from a videotape in a digital video (DV) camera, you’ll need another video program from Microsoft or another company.
For more information about programs you can use, go to Windows Online.
“
January 28, 2009 at 20:17 |
@Originalas:
That’s strange. Do you have the 32-bit or the 64-bit version of Windows 7 beta?
This is the 32-bit version (7000 build) and could be that the DV capture/firewire isn’t implemented in the 64-bit version yet.
Also notice that I didn’t need the Windows Live Movie Maker to do the capture, though it was installed.
February 11, 2009 at 05:36 |
Hey guys
hoping to get some help, I am using windows 7 and trying to capture footage with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3. But after my capture time, no file generates for the capture. Anyone have similar problems? solution?
February 25, 2009 at 16:17 |
I’m having no success with video capture also. On first connection of the Canon DV cam via FireWire there was some automatic device driver installation and now there is a ZR500 device on Control Panel’s “Devices and Printers”. However there is nothing in the Devices section of Control Panel’s Autoplay.
March 4, 2009 at 02:36 |
I can connect my HV20 on windows 7 32bit, but on windows 7 64bit, I get one second of video then the image freezes.
April 20, 2009 at 06:22 |
no luck here either, importing from camcorder on build 7000.
April 25, 2009 at 19:33 |
No either in the RC 7100… Is there a solution to import my video from my Sony DV to my HD with 7 RC 7100 ?
April 25, 2009 at 19:38 |
I can’t offer any help, because it “just worked” for me.
If there are any readers who have solved any of the mentioned problems, please comment/link here your solutions. Thanks
April 27, 2009 at 03:55 |
Windows 7 Release Candidate gets new features…
Ok.. I just installed Windows 7 build 7057 onto my 17″ macbook pro (early 2009 model). I got everything running except the wifi. It seems to show a live connection available but refuses to get online. I installed all the drives from my leopard 10. 5 cd…
May 12, 2009 at 18:42 |
I am running windows 7 7100, using a firewire connection with my sony miniDV cam, nothing has worked for me yet except WinDV: http://windv.mourek.cz/
hope this helps guys
May 12, 2009 at 19:29 |
Another solution :
Plug your MiniDV
Open Windows Live picture gallerie
Click “files”
Click “import from camera or scanner”
It was ok now for me.
Best regards
May 22, 2009 at 17:02 |
Your blog is more helpful than most and it contains information that has helped me to get to grips with a problem I have had for a while now. Thank you.
June 5, 2009 at 17:27 |
I managed to get video importing to work via Win Live Movie Maker on 32-bit Win 7 V7100, but NOT on the 64-bit version. The 64-bit version does not have an option to insert from camera.
June 16, 2009 at 19:40 |
They took video importer out of the wINDOWS 7 RC.
Bummer man….
November 26, 2009 at 18:19 |
I have windows 7 home 64bit with my new intel i7 PC. I also own a Sony HDR-HC9 video camera. I have no problem working with the Sony HDR-HC9 on my Vista Laptop or My old XP-Pro PC but in Windows 7 the camera will not evan show up. I’m useing Studio 14.
December 26, 2009 at 21:01 |
pvincent answer’s does work in Windows 7 64 bits
I installed Live Gallery and was able to import from my Sony DCR-HC21 through FireWire. I run Windows 7 Familly Premium 64 bits.
February 26, 2010 at 18:31 |
Hi! I am using a Dell Studio Windows 7 64 bit and I did the same like what you did but when I turned on the video cam, a device driver was installed and nothing happened afterwards. I saw on the screen of the cam “DV IN.” There was no import video that popped-up. How strange. My OS is Windows 7 and my videocam too is Sony and I used the firewire connection too. What is the name of the program/sofware that popped-up after you turned-on your videocam? Maybe I can look it up here in the system.
Thank you!
February 27, 2010 at 15:00 |
@Duke: Thanks for your comment.
1) Make sure that the camcorder is set to play/edit -mode. That could help.
2) Try importing directly from a video editing software. I usually use the latest Windows Live Movie Maker, which works fine.
February 28, 2010 at 06:23 |
Hello there! Thank you for the reply. The cam is already set to pay mode and nothing happened. Well, I will just import using the Windows Live Movie Maker. Which version should be the best and compatible for my Windows 7 laptop?
Thank you again!
February 28, 2010 at 06:23 |
Sorry! I mean “play” mode.
February 28, 2010 at 12:45 |
Duke, just use the installer in http://download.live.com and you’ll get the latest version which should work.
It is enough for the basic editing needs, but it could have more effects and transitions. Let’s hope that the soon-to-come Wave 4 of Live-products brings more features