Pass through dv camcorder

zstevek wrote on 8/18/2002, 8:18 AM
I am using a Sony TRV103 Digital 8 camcorder. When I capture video from it I get the standard 3.6 mps capture rate, which is fine. The problem I run into is that when I capture from my VHS VCR It fills up my 120GB hard drive in less then 2 hours of video!! I have tried connecting my video out from my vcr to my camcorder and then connecting my camcorder to my PC via fire-wire so I can get the 3.6 mps rate when recording analog tapes. My capture card is an ATI All-in-Wonder 8500DV.

1) Has anyone else done this with their camcorder and how?
2) Does anyone else get these extra large file sizes and if not what capture settings are you using?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Steve

Comments

John_Cline wrote on 8/18/2002, 9:00 AM
The 103 does not convert analog to DV in real-time. You must first record the VHS to Digital8 tape and then dump the tape into the computer via Firewire.

John
craigunderhill wrote on 8/18/2002, 9:03 AM
i have the trv120 from sony. i just plug my cable (that came with the camera) into the outputs on the vcr, and into the audio/video plug on the camera. i've never had an issue with it. works like a charm.

sorry i couldn't be more help.
John_Cline wrote on 8/18/2002, 9:21 AM
Yes, the TRV120 DOES convert analog video to DV in real-time. In fact, all of the 20 series and higher D8 camcorders will do this.

John
zstevek wrote on 8/18/2002, 12:03 PM
John,

I can remember back when I first started using my digital 8 for video editing that I was able to pass the video through my camcorder back to my analog vhs recorder (I did it a couple of times).

If I can do real time digital to analog conversion shouldn't I be able to to analog to digital?
Tyler.Durden wrote on 8/18/2002, 12:13 PM
As I recall, there may be an ugly workaround to get analog to pass-through down the firewire...

From google groups:

"I discovered a method of doing realtime analog to DV conversion using
my Sony D8 (first generation. trv310) camcorder. First let me say. I
am in the U.S. so this applies to a NON-neutered (non-Euro ?)
camcorders. This method does not require the modification of the
camera's firmware.

On the first generation of D8 cams the analog (RCA) inputs are
disabled when firewire is connected. I understand that the second
generation D8 cams have a menu choice for conversion in realtime so
you shouldn't need this method. I also understand that you can modify
the firmware to "enable" passthru but this method seems safer. ;)
Heres what I discovered.

1. Set the camcorder to VTR. Make sure you have a tape in as you will
need to use the cameras record function.

2. Connect your analog source to the "analog in" on the camcorder.
Disconnect the Firewire cable from the camcorder.

3. "Play" your source device. You can use "Pause" without effecting
the passthru.

4. "Record" with the camcorder as if you were dubbing(copying)
the source.

5. Reconnect firewire to camcorder while camera is recording

The camcorder will pass the video/audio through the dv out. You can
use this method to capture without the wasted time of dubbing first."


This worked for me with a trv110, perhaps it will work with the 103...

HTH, MPH

zstevek wrote on 8/18/2002, 3:12 PM
Thanks martyh,

I will try it out and see what happens.
jboy wrote on 8/18/2002, 10:21 PM
As mentioned before in previous posts; the current entry level model digital 8 camcorders , the TRV 130 & 140), do NOT have the analog/digital conversion feature. Although it was included in the entry level model of the 20 series,(TRV 120), Sony disabled this feature in later entry models. The later models also dont do the 8mm/Hi8 to digital conversion. Guess they figured we were getting too much for our money. Sony has since cheapened later generations of their D8 line, removing features and reducing lcd screen size for comparable models in later generations.