Capture: device offline / no device control (Sony hi8 tape)

[MarjoleinBelzer]

Dear all,

I am trying to digitalize recorded video tapes from an old handicap (Sony video Hi8 Handycam CCD-TR825E).

I once bought a package with all sorts of cables (from usb to S-VHS). It is connected with my Mac, but it doesn't recognize the camera. So Premiere Pro also doesn't recognize it and says Device Offline or No Device Control.

Is it because of the cables, the device or can I try something with software? I also checked the menu options in the device but nothing much to change over there...

But I am absolutely not an expert as you may notice.

Can someone help me? Perhaps no Mac but trying another device?

[Ann Bens]

You can only capture from a camera with firewire.

[Ann Bens · Accepted solution]

If this is an analog camera you need a hardware converter (dont know how this works on a mac. I am windows).

[MarjoleinBelzer]

I have a hardware converter... but will try it as well on a Windows device then

[Ann Bens]

Tell us your set up.

What hardware converter are you using.

[ChrisGold]

Hi, i too have have the same issue.

I'm using a Sony CCD-TR425E PAL camcorder with a Honestech MyVid Box connect via USB to a WIndows 10 laptop.  Premier Pro says "Capture Device Offline" when i try to use it to capture the video from the camera.  The Box works as i can capture the video via that box but, the file sizes are too big to import into PP so was trying to get it to capture the video and cut the footage into managable file sizes. 

Can anyone help me please?

[Ann Bens]

Avi files are 13 gig for 1 hour which is a standard size.

Might want to turn on Scene Detection.

[ChrisGold]

Any ideas why Prem Pro can't see the capture device?

[Ann Bens]

Premiere can only capture over firewire. Is the camera connected with firewire to myvid box.

[ChrisGold]

No, it's via the composite cables (Red, Yellow & White) and the MyVidBox is connected to the PC/laptop via USB.  Will Adobe software only work with FireWire connections?

[Ann Bens]

Via firewire is the normal way of capturing tapes.

But it the box captures but no preview or scene detection so be it.

[Andy 1968]

Premiere Pro can only capture from a USB device if the manufacture has written drivers for Premeire Pro. Firewire devices do not require drivers although the new version of Mac OS X will not dedect Firewire devices. On a side note the cheap USB capture devices can be a pain in the butt. The video below might be worth watching.

https://youtu.be/dVLUxRkPMdA