how to include date & time stamp when importing video from Sony miniDV

Jeff-Blumenthal wrote on 2/17/2021, 7:34 PM

I have miniDV tapes recorded using Sony DCR-HC36. Using Movie Studio 16 the videos import without a problem. But I want to import the date & time stamp on the video and I don't see how to do that. I set it so I can see the date and time stamp on the video camera when watching the playback but that does not come through on the avi file that the software creates when importing the video. I cannot find a setting to let me do that. How do I make that happen? I would like to see the date and time on the video when watching it in the future.

Comments

Musicvid wrote on 2/17/2021, 8:16 PM

Unfortunately, I don't think that kind of metadata gets read into Vegas unless it was shot on DVCAM or HDV equipment with SMPTE timecode turned on, maybe DVCPRO. You might also try Scenealyzer capture instead of Vegas.

You should explore external metadata readers or utilities to reveal what is coded into your tapes.

EricLNZ wrote on 2/17/2021, 9:32 PM

I set it so I can see the date and time stamp on the video camera when watching the playback

The info is on the tape for the camera to display it. Presumably you've checked your camera settings to see if there's anything there that would provide it on capture.

Former user wrote on 2/18/2021, 6:49 AM

Normally the Date time display will only show on the analog output. The firewire is a digital transfer so that data is not visible. If you have a way to capture the analog output of the camera you will be able to see that info.

 

Musicvid wrote on 2/18/2021, 8:05 AM

Yes, you can record the analog output with the date/time display turned on. It's not recognized internally by Vegas because it's not the right type.

Jeff-Blumenthal wrote on 2/18/2021, 2:56 PM

We actually switched to firewire with Vegas to get the higher quality save versus the analog output. With an analog output the camera itself turns the digital file to analog and its processing causes some image loss. We are trying to make it easier for us to watch the videos when we want without the on-going risk of the camera dying or the tapes wearing out -- they are our emergency back-ups. We'll look for alternate software; what we like about the Vegas tool is that it recognizes the Sony camera and pulls the data easily. I seem to recall that the original Sony software let you choose whether or not to see the date & timestamp but that was ages ago.

Former user wrote on 2/18/2021, 3:21 PM

And you were right to switch to firewire. It just doesn't support the visual date time. You can always add the date time as a graphic on your edit timeline.

FayFen wrote on 2/19/2021, 12:35 PM

you can try these

https://www.videohelp.com/software/DV-Datecode

https://www.videohelp.com/software/Time-and-Date-Subtitle-Generator

https://www.videohelp.com/software/ScenalyzerLive

https://www.videohelp.com/software/DVdate

https://www.videohelp.com/software/DV-Media-Player

 

Musicvid wrote on 2/19/2021, 4:15 PM

Try Scenealyzer and see what that gives you. I don't remember.

You may have to hunt a bit for the download.