@Dave-Benziger

Hi

In addition to @emmrecs comment.

Most video cameras do not allow direct video recording to computer, the select DV driver is looking for a FireWire device connected to the computer.

The CX-405 nor the older camera support FireWire.

The CX-405 has a HDMI video output which may be 'live' when the camera is on and in record mode, and could be used with a suitable HDMI video capture device, however this may not be an appropriate method for what your are wanting to do.

A clarification of what you are wanting to do would help - eg: stream the video/audio live, record a video music session etc, transfer existing recordings to the computer.

John EB
Forum Moderator

@Dave-Benziger

Hi Dave and welcome.

As John and Jeff says, a lot of cameras will only ever show up as a 'mass storage device'.

However some cameras can be accessed to record from using two or more free programs.

I use DigiCamControl to capture a video feed from my DLSRs even though two of them do not have the ability to capture video from them. My Nikon D300 and D700 have no video capabilities but have a usb port that allows a TV to show a slideshow of their stills. DigiCamControl takes that feed and displays it on a computer screen.

With a fully supported camera like my D500 I can remote control most of its functions as well.

The output can then be captured in MEP using the screen capture option or with OBS Studio (free) which I prefer for screen capturing.

Or if you use an Intel processor with an inboard graphics chip you can use the Intel screen capture program that comes with the Intel Graphics Command Center (also free) which also does an amazing job. Both programs capture at faster frame rates than MEP.

Unfortunately your camera is not on the supported list but may still work as it seems to have the correct connector. You may have to focus the camera manually though. If not and you own another camera that is on the supported list then you could use that instead. Or there may be another program out there I am not aware of that could use your camera. Of that I'm not sure.

Ray.

@Dave-Benziger

I should have added to be careful.

Some cameras may suffer sensor damage form overheating when used this way. Unlike when shooting video clips where the sensor is switched on and off for each frame capture,(allowing for a short period of cooling) taking a live feed from a sensor may result in the sensor being active all the time similar to a DSLR taking a bulb exposure where the sensor will eventually heat up and overload individual photo-sites. That is not a given result but keep an eye out for discolouration of the image or signs of hot pixels appearing during use.

Ray.

@Dave-Benziger

Dave, I assume that you have recorded some video on your camera and are trying to get it into MEP to edit. If that is the case, I make the following comments.

Your camera is basically a computer disk. It records it's videos into files, probably MP4, MOV or MTS/MT2S, and stores those files on the camera's SD card.

To get access to those files on your computer, you have to connect your camera using the USB lead (the short inbuilt lead, or use the extension lead provided). Using a HDMI to USB adapter will not work. The HDMI allows you to play your videos on a TV, not file-transfer to your computer.

You could try just plugging the camera into the computer, via USB, to see if the drivers are installed automatically by Windows, before installing the Sony software. If that doesn't work, you will have to install the Sony software so that the camera (and it's files) will show up in Windows Explorer. See the guide:

https://helpguide.sony.net/cam/1440/v1/en/contents/TP0000557783.html

Once the camera is visible to Windows, the MEP AVCHD dialogue should work. Note, though, that all it really does is allow you to browse for the camera and it's files, and then copy the files onto your hard drive, which is definitely recommended. That is, don't try to run a MEP project using files that are still on your camera; copy them onto your computer first.

You can have a go at the MEP AVCHD dialogue, but if I were you, I'd use Windows Explorer (or the Sony software) and simply drag the files off the camera's SD card into a folder on your computer, then start your MEP project.

For the floor, I see the video specs are:

Is the XAVC going to be usable?

@AAProds

Hi Al.

I may have misread what Dave is trying to do. If so I think you are correct.

Sony seem to think there are only two programs that can import or edit that format.

Ray.

@AAProds, @CubeAce, @emmrecs

Hi Alwyn, Ray, Jeff

. . . . I may have misread what Dave is trying to do. . . . .

As we have had no clarification as requested in my first post as to what @Dave-Benziger is trying to do, all discussed options are valid.

. . . . Sony seem to think there are only two programs that can import or edit that format.. . . .

These are basically import and management tools with some editing capability - they look like they are the next step up from - Play Memories Home

. . . . Is the XAVC going to be usable? . . . .

As an XAVC user I can definitely say yes.

. . . . Some cameras may suffer sensor damage form overheating when used this way . . . . .

This applies to DSLR's which have larger sensors, 'proper' video cameras do not suffer from this limitation can record for far longer times - in the case of my 3 cameras about 2 hours on battery, up to 6 hours, or card full when connected to their charger.

John EB

@johnebaker

Hi John.

Yes, I should have said I was referring to using a DSLR as an alternative to live recording within MEP using DigiCamControl to get a video feed. Is it the sensor size or amount of photo-sites that makes a difference between heat dispersion? Dedicated camcorders tend to have less but larger photo-sites.

Good to hear you can import XAVC fles. So what is the difference between your and Dave's camcorder I wonder.

Ray.

@CubeAce

Hi Ray

. . . . So what is the difference between your and Dave's camcorder I wonder. . . .

In terms of accessing recorded files and the format - nothing.

Without clarification we are assuming various options of what is trying to be achieved ie:

Is the camera:

• trying to be used as a webcam?
   
• trying to transfer the files as you would with a DV (tape) camera?

. . . .the AVCHD option (for the AVCHD camera I have), Magix does not see (or allow me to even select) the camera (that's already plugged into the computer, via an HDMI to USB adapter) . . . .

As @AAProds has commented. this option needs the camera needs to be connected direct to the PC by USB cable - the AVCHD option is a file transfer procedure.

John EB