Transferring Date and Time Data

Nathan wrote on 9/29/2003, 6:34 PM
I would like to transfer both video and date/time information from mini
DV tapes to a hardriver for backup and manipulation. I understand that it is not possible to transfer Date/Time information via USB or Firewire Links. But, these may be transferred via video/audio outputs and then superimposed on the video.

Can I transfer video/audio output to my hardrive? How? And, if so, how do i superimpose this data on the precise frames for which they are associated?

thanks

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 9/29/2003, 6:46 PM
When you use the video/audio outputs of your camcorder you'd be doing an analog capture, so you'll need some sort of analog capture hardware. Lots of folks use the Canopus ADVC-100 external unit to convert analog Audio/Video into a DV stream which you then capture through the computer's firewire port as usual.

The advantage of doing it this way is that your camcorder may have the option to display the date/time on top of the analog output signal. This display would then be captured mixed right in with the video. There would be no need to superimpose them nor would there be any sync inssues since the camera is producing the display itself before the computer ever sees the signal. Of course, once it's there it would be almost impossible to get rid of it again without recapturing with the date/time display turned off.