Cyberlink Power Director 5 problem

[cellar uncle]

I got Power Director 5 and have run into problems.First, I tried to capture some footage and it began ok but after about 20 seconds would freeze on the screen ( while continuing on the camera ) and then the program would shut down.
Now I cant get it to capture at all. I select "capture" but go straight to "capture microphone ". The option for "DV Camcorder" wont light up. When I click on it nothing happens.
Also, what do the mean by "set your camera to VCR mode " ?

[paglamon]

Also, what do the mean by "set your camera to VCR mode " ?

If u r capturing from a camcorder,it means thet u set it(the camera)to the PLAYER mode and not to the CAMERA(the mode where u record in ur cam) mode.

[cellar uncle]

I thought that may be the case so I did that. Still no joy though

[paglamon]

It seems that CPD is not recognising ur cam.Try to capture with Virtualdub and see what happens.

[cellar uncle]

Problem solved. But I immediatly found another one. When I try and capture a single scene, it shows up in the preview window for 10 seconds then the whole program shuts down and next minute Im back at the desktop screen that appears when I first turn computer on ???

[paglamon]

How was the original problem solved?

[cellar uncle]

the firewire card had come adrift. It wasnt screwed in and the cord must have lossened it.

[cellar uncle]

But the problem is still happening, after 10 seconds of "single scene capture", Im back at the desktop. Could it be an inadequate video card ?

[paglamon]

Ask some hardware expert.I am at my wit's end.Have u tried to do this with any other programme(like Ulead or Pinnacle)?

[cellar uncle]

No, this is my first video editing program. A guy I know said its probably the video card is not big enough so as I havnt a clue what else to do, I will put a bigger one in and see what happens.
Or I wonder if the fault could be in the firewire card ?

[paglamon]

Have u ,by any chance,ticked the time limit and file limit in the Capture Options?

[cellar uncle]

um ... no... should I have done ?

I find the instruction manual presumes I already know what Im doing where as I havnt the first clue.

[paglamon]

should I have done ?

No.Had u selected them then ur capture wud hav stopped after a certain time or after a certain file size has been reached.Sorry, can't think of anything else to help u.

[cellar uncle]

Here is what Im doing, maybe Im missing something:

Turn camcorder to VCR mode
Hit "capture"
Select "capture from DV camcorder"
Click the round button that starts the capturing

I have "real time" ticked.

[paglamon]

I have "real time" ticked.

May be this is the problem.See this: