(Vanity) HDMI to PC video capture question

1/22/2010 | blueflag

[Blueflag]

Question for FReepers:

Is it possible AND how to do it --

Logically connect and have Windows recognize a Camcorder (that has an HDMI port) connected to a PC that has an HDMI port, running Windows 7 -- and then capture video form the Camcorder onto the PC?

Obviously the physical connection is simple.

Can I use the HDMI cable and ports to perform video capture, or only video 'play'?

I am logged in, my sister and the moose are in the shower eating cheese, and this is quite hugh and series because this new PC (much to my surprise) does not have a FireWire port.

[Blueflag]

Question for FReepers:

Is it possible AND how to do it --

Logically connect and have Windows recognize a Camcorder (that has an HDMI port) connected to a PC that has an HDMI port, running Windows 7 -- and then capture video form the Camcorder onto the PC?

Obviously the physical connection is simple.

Can I use the HDMI cable and ports to perform video capture, or only video 'play'?

I am logged in, my sister and the moose are in the shower eating cheese, and this is quite hugh and series because this new PC (much to my surprise) does not have a FireWire port.

Ideas? Confirmation?

[bcsco]

It’s been a long time, but you should be able to capture video. But you have to have the right software to do it in addition to the proper connection.

I’m sure there are others here who can direct you to the current software packages available. It’s been years since I’ve done it, so I’m not UTD on the software issue.

[kingu]

Unless you have a HDMI capture card that you specifically bought and installed, you can’t do that. I’m guessing your camcorder doesn’t have a memory card, or uses an internal hd or tape. If so, just buy a firewire card for your computer. You can find them for $20 or less.

[Blueflag]

I have Pinnacle Studio 14, which is pretty much ‘state of the art’ for amateurs.

I should be OK on the “video suite” side, BUT as you suggest, there may be some special HDMI software app that makes it work.

[Blueflag]

I kinda ‘feared’ that was the case. This new PC is a powerful notebook, so no HDMI capture card ‘cuz there’s no PCMCIA slot. 4 USB, 2 HDMI, multi-card reader and some fancy useless HP proprietary slot, but no PCMCIA.

Worst case I can capture the file on the old computer then move the multi-gigabyte file across via thumb drive or network traffic.

< / sigh >

[TheBattman]

I believe the HDMI on most PCs is essentially “one-way”, meaning it is for outputing the PC content to a TV or projector. That is a dead end for you.

I take it the recorder doesn’t have USB2?

There are FireWire to USB adaptive, I believe, though not real common.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Check the manual and see if the slot you are referring to is an ExpressCard slot, which is the replacement for PCMCIA.

If that is the case, there are ExpressCard FireWire cards.

http://www.google.com/search?q=expresscard+firewire&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[Blueflag]

You are confirming what I ‘feared.’

No USB 2.X on the camcorder.

I have tried several of the USB-Firewire devices/cables and the result is all the same — PC doesn’t see the camcorder. It may be a SONY camcorder thing.

I’ll use the sneaker net ;-)

[FreeAgent]

Check out the black magic design site. http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/h264prorecorder/ This is the unit we are waiting to buy when it is released this month. It has an HDMI input. The computer interface is usb but it includes the software needed. It saves the video in H.264 which is good for the web and mobile devices. This is also the format that we get from our Canon 5D Mark II camera. We convert this to Apple ProRes when editing in Final Cut Pro.

[Blueflag]

Wow! That’s a nice device. But it’s $350 US. That’s a bit rich when I **CAN** (sigh) just capture onto the one old PC and move the files onto the new editing machine.

My work is not professional per se. It’s all for swim team, water polo, proms, family memories, etc. IT’s all HD, but I don’t do it for $.

[Johnny B.]

As you've discovered, you most likely can't use the built-in HDMI port for input to the computer.

If your camcorder and computer don't both have either USB or Firewire, then you'll need some sort of converter to capture video.

If your camcorder has Component output (RGB), then you might have better luck finding a converter for that, rather than HDMI.

One potential problem with HDMI is that it has DRM built-in, so, for example, you might not be able to capture videos from a DVR, because it is copy-protected. Component is an analog conversion that doesn't have that limitation.

Good luck!