Capturing directly from source using camcorder to encode/digitize?

LarryinTN wrote on 1/29/2004, 6:19 PM
Is it possible to capture directly from an analog source to Vegas using a miniDV camcorder to encode/digitize without saving to tape first?

I'm trying to do this with a Sony DCR-TRV10 miniDV camcorder. The Vegas capture program just tells me to insert a tape. I'm thinking that the camcorder must not support direct encoding like this but wanted to ask anyway in case I was missing an option that would allow it.

Thanks...

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 1/29/2004, 6:32 PM
In some cases it depends on the camcorder; some support it and some don't. However, it is possible that you're having VidCap try to control the transport in the camcorder and it shouldn't be for this operation. Under Options / Preferences / General, try unchecking Enable DV Device Control. Then VidCap won't be trying to start playing a tape in the camcorder anymore.
LarryinTN wrote on 1/30/2004, 3:32 PM
Thanks. I hadn't tried that. Unfortunetly, it didn't help. I guess my camcorder doesn't support it.

Thanks...
johnmeyer wrote on 1/30/2004, 6:06 PM
LarryinTN,

This will work if you have an NTSC camcorder. If it is PAL, you will have to find a patch for it (the European trade unions managed to force Sony to remove the pass-through feature ... I will resist a strong urge to editorialize on what I think of that ...)

If you have the NTSC version, you still have to enable the pass-through feature. I have the Sony TRV-11 which is pretty much the same camcorder. To enable it to record directly from an analog source without first recording to tape (in essence, becoming an external encoder), you need to go to the menu on the camcorder and look for the menu item: "A/V -> DV OUT." Change this from "OFF" to "ON" and you should be in business. However, remember that to view DV video coming from your computer (e.g., viewing video from the Vegas timeline), you need to change this back to OFF. Basically, when it is ON, the analog video goes into the camera, and when it is OFF, the analog video goes from the camera back to your monitor or VCR.