HDV over Firewire Capture Problems with Studio XPS 16 (Ricoh Chipset)

So I just got off a 3 hour phone call with no fewer than 9 (count, them 9) service techs. If you are expecting good phone support forget it.

Basically the problem, is firewire capture from an HDV device over the built in port is completely wonky. It will connect and capture fine, but all video captured has green squares, jerky playback, and jitters

The problem occurs with multiple HDV devices, different cables, and in every software suite I have tried (HDVSplit, Adobe Premier Elements, windows live movie maker). It is not a codec issue as M2T files captured on a different laptop work just fine. Conversely, wonky m2t files played back on the other computer stay wonky.

I have tried multiple firewire drivers (Jmicron filter was sugested), disabling the usb ports, capturing from the device after playback has started and so far nothing has worked. The dell "support" techs on the phone say its a software issue as the hardware tests fine.

Anyone have any ideas other than paying 50 bucks to buy a firewire dongle?