My setup:
Sony Z1

Dell Dimension P4 3.06 Ghz, 1.25 Gb RAM
Windows XP SP2
Lacie 260Gb Firewire drive

Adobe Premier Pro v1.5.1

I have used this setup very successfully to capture HD output (downsampled by the camera).

But when I try to capture HDV (Premiere is using the Cineform intermediate) only the first 9 seconds of each clip are perfect, then it goes very "blocky" (like a bad satellite signal).

Does anyone have an idea where I am going wrong?

I have read many people claim they can successfully import HDV with a lower spec machine.

Which version of AspectHD are you using? There was a bug in early versions of 4 that affected capture ... corrected by 4.0.2.

I am not using AspectHD, just the Cineform converter that comes with Premiere Pro v1.5.1

My setup:
Sony Z1

Dell Dimension P4 3.06 Ghz, 1.25 Gb RAM
Windows XP SP2
Lacie 260Gb Firewire drive

Adobe Premier Pro v1.5.1

I have used this setup very successfully to capture HD output (downsampled by the camera).

But when I try to capture HDV (Premiere is using the Cineform intermediate) only the first 9 seconds of each clip are perfect, then it goes very "blocky" (like a bad satellite signal).

Does anyone have an idea where I am going wrong?

I have read many people claim they can successfully import HDV with a lower spec machine.

1. More memory, possible help. Most are using 2 gig

2. Are you sure playback isn't problem ? Video card, etc.

3. Capture to firewire device could be creating conflict.. Try saving to an onborad drive to test.

For Premiere 1.5.1 that PC my not be fast enough for reliable capture. Aspect HD is far more tolerant, and supports a wide range of PC types, so you could try that free demo. If Aspect HD works you can at least rule out a fault with hardware, but I don't think more memory or a different graphics card will help.