Problem using Camera to do AV to DV conversion/capture

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 10/6/2004, 11:04 AM
OK, so I've got a AGDVX100 ($3000+) prosumer camera. I used it to convert some footage that I had as analog to DV. (Here's the rub) Whenever I clicked capture the video footage preview became somewhat brighter and burned out some areas that were already pretty hot. Is this something anyone else has experienced? Is it Vegas or is it the Camera?

Any input would be helpful.
BTW: Is it better to buy a converter or use a camera to convert? and Does the price of the camera make much of a deffierence in the conversion?

Comments

farss wrote on 10/6/2004, 1:40 PM
Slightly confused here. The camera is the thing doing the A->D conversion not Vegas. Whatever it sends to Vegas is just recorded to a file. But the camera doesn't know if it's being recorded or not when it's being used for passthru. Unless you've somehow got it to work without disabling DV device control, then something wierd could be happening.
A good converter is probably going to be better than a camera or even a VCR. Depends on the footage but something like the ADVC 300 that has a TBC or even a lowly D8 camera can give better results than a DV camcorder. Yes there maybe a difference depending on camera price, better cameras tend to have better conversion chips.
You haven't mentioned what your source is on, if it's only VHS then I wouldn't loose much sleep over it anyway, if it's Betacam SP then for best results you should be using a converter with component input or at least S-Video, still should have a TBC though.

Bob
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 10/7/2004, 11:07 AM
TBC??? don't know what that means.

and

What is the ADVC 300? a converter?

That still doesn't explain why it was brighter only when I capture though. Has anyone noticed this in general?
B.Verlik wrote on 10/7/2004, 12:32 PM
The ADVC 300 is a very nice, Canopus, consumer level analog to digital converter that has TBC built in. (TBC = Time Base Correcter) The TBC will give you a very stable picture when transfering video. Cheaper ones work, but sometimes will give you lots of little problems, especially when you convert old analog VHS tapes. Unfortunately, the ADVC 300 costs about $600. and that's why I don't have one. I can't answer the question about why your video is coming out brighter.
John_Cline wrote on 10/7/2004, 12:52 PM
When Vegas "captures" video from the camcorder via Firewire, it is simply copying the video data from the camcorder to the hard drive. This is true whether you are capturing footage from tape or using the camcorder as an analog to DV converter. Regardless, Vegas is not (and can not) process or change the video in any way during capture.

What are you using to judge that the video is actually getting brighter? The PC monitor or a properly calibrated television monitor?

John
randy-stewart wrote on 10/7/2004, 3:14 PM
Actually, I got my brand new in the box ADVC 300 off of E-Bay for $470 plus $13 shipping to Hawaii. Love it. And yes, recommend getting a convertor box instead of using the camera if you are going to do quite of bit of converting. If it's just a few tapes and using pass-through, no reason to get a box if your camera does the trick. If you have to buy something anyway, buy the Canopus. It actually improves VHS footage when converting.
Aloha,
Randy
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 10/8/2004, 12:10 PM
I'm using the monitor to see the change, but it's not like I look at the original and then the copy. As soon as I click capture, it all gets brighter. Same viewing angle on the screen, etc...

don't know what to tell you guys
John_Cline wrote on 10/8/2004, 2:14 PM
"I'm using the monitor to see the change"

Which monitor? The PC monitor or a television monitor? What you see on the computer monitor has very little relation to what the footage actually looks like.

Once again, the is no way that Vegas is changing the video data during a Firewire capture. period. The only way to judge the video is on a calibrated television monitor.

John
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 10/8/2004, 2:31 PM
on the computer monitor. I understand that there is no way that it is doing it, but at the same time, I'm watching the preview window and as soon as I hit capture, it gets brighter. I'm not saying that this has to be Vegas doing it, but just wanting to know if anyone has had this happen to them? (and even though there is no way, I'm still watching it happen :-) , so I don't know what to tell you.)
B.Verlik wrote on 10/8/2004, 8:28 PM
Does a recorded sample look brighter after your done capturing? Or only during the capture? I still won't be able to answer this, just troubleshooting. Some companies give you a lot of options but still want to sell you more equipment later, so they're not perfect options, only close. You might have to learn how to re-adjust the picture in vegas, after the capture. (yes, I realize it's not too likely. I'm pretty sure it's not Vegas though.)
farss wrote on 10/9/2004, 7:55 AM
The only thing I can think of is IF you have Enable Device COntrol ON then the camera sees the Play command coming from Vegas and changes how it processes the video. I know that's a real long shot though.
Bob.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 10/9/2004, 11:16 AM
I havn't had a chance to compare the two side by side, but I don't think that it's vegas. I'm guessing that it has got to be the camera, because when I've done it with other cameras I didn't notice it. Device control is off by the way, there's no way to capture from a camcorder on VCR when doing AV in DV out as far as I'm aware without the device controll being off.