Analog to DV Converters?

jmpatrick wrote on 9/19/2001, 9:45 AM
Hello all,
I've installed a Pyro Firewire card, and it works like a charm. Now I'm looking for a Analog to DV Converter to input all of my analog sources. It looks as though there's a few different models available. While I don't currently need Beta SP's component inputs, I would like that option for the future. The only unit I can find with composite, S-VHS, and component in's and out's is the DataVideo DAC-2 DV-Analog Converter. It runs about $650. Does anyone have experience with this unit, or the company that makes it? Perhaps someone else makes a piece with component in's and out's?

I'm also looking at the Sony Sony DVMC-DA2, which has been recommended here on the forum. It's a little less than half the price of the DAC-2, but it doesn't have component.

Beyond those two, I haven't seen anything very impressive.

What is everyone else using to get their Analog Video into Vegas?

Thanks!

jp

Comments

Jdodge wrote on 9/19/2001, 10:39 AM
Another method of bringing analog footage in is by using your DV camera that has analog inputs to act as your conversion medium. Connect your a/v or s-video cables to your DV cam that has those inputs, put the DVcam in record/pause mode, begin playback on the analog source, take the DV cam our of record/pause and begin your A->D conversion. You can do your rudementary edits onto the DV tape. Once you have the takes printed from the analog source onto the DV tape you then send the DV signal from the camera through the IEEE1394 into the PC. When captured by the vidcap2.0h utility you will have scene detection so each cut will be its own take in your bin.

I just wanted to make sure people were aware of this option as well. It saves you from going out there and buying a bunch of hardware you may not need. Yes, it is a bit more of a time consuming process (one extra step), but you will get excellent device control from vidcap with the DVcam.
Veasna wrote on 9/19/2001, 11:20 AM
Question for SF folks:

How do I tell the videocapture (2h version) to perform the scene detection when capturing from my DV camcorder to my PC using the firewire connection? I have looked for options within the videocapture program but was not able to find any options to support scene detection. Right now, I would just get one big captured file from my DV camcorder. Please help.

Thanks,
-Veasna
SonyEPM wrote on 9/19/2001, 11:41 AM
Video Capture 2.h does not do scene detection. The only way you can get scene detect from DV is to download the demo of VideoFactory 2.0a (no need to purchase) and use the capture tool that comes with that product.

All of the cool VideoFactory stuff will show up in Vegas 3 later this year.
Veasna wrote on 9/19/2001, 12:40 PM
Thank so much for your prompt reponse! I will try it tonight.

-Veasna
FadeToBlack wrote on 9/19/2001, 1:15 PM
jboy wrote on 9/19/2001, 2:12 PM
Although I'm sure other brands offer the analog/dv capability, sony offers this feature without having to go thru the business of putting the camcorder into record, pause, etc. It's simply a menu selection to enable the a/dv conversion process. All except the cheapest, (trv-130) of the sony digital 8 camcorders offer this feature, and many of the older models also do, (I know the trv-120 & 520 do) I was able to get the a/dv conversion process going on my earlier model trv-310 by using the LANC device describeld in an earlier post, but the process required a little program that only worked om Win95-98.Sony has offered fewer features, and smaller lcd screens on their model upgrades of the earlier Digital 8 cameras, so you're better off finding one of the last generation if you can still find them. I just bought a model trv-520, w/4 inch lcd, on closeout for $517 here in the San Francisco bay area. Also, as mentioned before, many european camcorders are sold with their line-in recording capabilities disabled to avoid having a special tax that applies to vcr's. Good Luck
FadeToBlack wrote on 9/19/2001, 2:13 PM
Veasna wrote on 9/19/2001, 5:28 PM
Do you know if DCR-TRV315 from sony supports the a/d conversion pass through?

Thanks,
-Veasna
jboy wrote on 9/20/2001, 1:04 PM
Veasna, dont know about the trv315, but if it does it should be mentioned in the manual under menu settings, or you can look for it on the menu itself. As I mentioned, my 310 didn't have this feature, tho I could get it to work with a special cable and software, but maybe the 315 is an upgrade to the 310, that includes this feature.
FadeToBlack wrote on 9/20/2001, 1:18 PM
Veasna wrote on 9/20/2001, 2:31 PM
Thanks for the reply. I tried my 315 last night and it did not support the a/d pass through conversion. The manual made no metion of such feature. Can you tell what hardware and software you were using to do the pass through with your 310?

Thanks,
-Veasna
Jdodge wrote on 9/20/2001, 4:12 PM
I apologize for the mislead on the 2.0h vidcap and scene detection. My bad. Too many things going at once :o)
Jdodge wrote on 9/20/2001, 4:27 PM
Hi GG,

Good point on the A->D conversion via the DV cam. Extra wear and tear will certainly happen when used like this. But for the small time user that shoots primarily in digital, but occasionally takes stock footage from analog, this method can be very useful. I personally (no Sonic Foundry preference here obviously) use a Canon ZR-25mc. It has s-video and composite in and out, as well as IEEE1394. I've had very few problems using this camera with Vegas, and it is inexpensive. I'm sure others have brands they can suggest as well. Anyone?

I wouldn't suggest to anyone running expensive hardware to use their camera consistently as the A-D converter. The extended use will eventually lead to dirty parts which in turn can lead to a damaged camera. Determine your needs and go from there.
jboy wrote on 9/21/2001, 2:12 PM
Go to www.pinnaclesys.com to the studio DV 1.26 forum and do a search on a guy named Tony Bryant. As I recall, he was involved in a long thread explaining this process which involves building a simple LANC cable with a transistor and serial port plug attached, (soldering required+ about $10 in parts) and downloading a free program called ANIN, which you run when you want to do the conversion. I didn't have to have my camcorder in record/pause to do this but I did have to keep the cassette door open. And, as mentioned, this'll only work w/win95-98. It worked fine, but was a bit of a pain in the butt, and didn't work w/win2k, which is why I bought the Sony TRV-520. I know trhat the TRV 120, 520, and I believe all the models in this series, (220, 320, etc) allowed d/a conversion simply by making a menu selection. The current crop of Sony digital 8 camcorders, (w/the exception of the trv-130), all have this feature-tho their LCD screens have been reduced in size when compared to earlier models.Let me knowif I can be of anymore help..