What s-video capture card to use?

NoSubstitute wrote on 6/3/2013, 9:29 PM

I've been using Platinum for a couple years with my HDV camcorder, and it works great. I am now interested in capturing video from my older Sony Hi8 camcorder which only has S-video out. What video capture device would you recommend to be able to edit the footage in Platinum 11? I'm running Win7 64bit.

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 6/3/2013, 9:53 PM

I believe Canopus ADVC-300 has an SVHS input.
My solution is a Panasonic set-top DVD recorder, does a great job with SVHS !

Note: the VRO files the Panny produces are MPEG-TS, so I run them through Quickstream Fix in VideoRedo before importing in Vegas.

NoSubstitute wrote on 6/3/2013, 10:43 PM

Thanks for the response. I'm trying to find something that won't have an interim step. Thanks for the suggestion on the Canopus. Looks like they make a ADVC110 or ADVC55 with a S-video input. Does anyone have any experience with these models?

MSmart wrote on 6/3/2013, 10:56 PM

Do D8 cams have S-video inputs? If so, you could buy/borrow one that also does A/V pass-thru. Then Vidcap would work with tha cam connected via FireWire.

musicvid10 wrote on 6/4/2013, 6:50 AM

Actually, the set-top Panny produces better video than A->D passthrough, often better than the original tape. This is because of hardware denoising. To get close, you would have to run your captured AVI through NeatVideo in VirtualDub, which as you said is an "interim step."

NoSubstitute wrote on 6/4/2013, 9:31 AM

Which model Panny would you recommend? Most of the searching I did came up with models that are discontinued.

I also looked at camcorders, and it looks like a ZR90 has a s-video pass-thru to firewire. Following up on some threads here, it looks to be good, but not great conversion. Any comments on using it?

I'd like the best quality available within a reasonable price (<$250). The Grass Valley ADVC110 and ADVC55 seem to have good reviews and fall within budget. Can someone share their experience?

musicvid10 wrote on 6/4/2013, 9:44 AM

ZR camcorders are fine. No TBC, but you don't often need it.
I haven't heard of one with an SVHS input?

My Panasonic is discontinued. EH35V. There are newer.

ricnev wrote on 6/4/2013, 11:11 AM

Being ever the pedant, SVHS and S-Video are two different things. SVHS is an analogue tape format and S-Video is a method for transmitting Y/C analogue video signals using a cable with typically round 4-pin connectors. They are not synonymous.

NoSubstitute wrote on 6/4/2013, 12:17 PM

The ZR90 is a Canon that's been discontinued:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4OOor944uOF/p_280ZR90/Canon-ZR90.html

Panasonic doesn't offer any DVD recorders anymore on their site. Any suggestions for a "newer" unit?

musicvid10 wrote on 6/4/2013, 1:44 PM

It seems you are looking for a new solution for analog technology that dropped off the radar several years back. Sorry I can't help you there.

Panny set-top recorders are still available online, try Amazon (they were being produced as recently as 2-3 years ago). Canon ZR camcorders (they were discontinued years back) are found at Goodwills in the $15-20 range. Remember the tape section doesn't have to work. The ADVC can still be found online.

Or, you can pay a digitizing service to do the work for you.

Best of luck.

NoSubstitute wrote on 6/10/2013, 12:18 PM

Thanks for all the advice musicvid10. I ran out of time, needing to get video for a project due this week. I ended up purchasing the Grass Valley ADVC110. I was able to capture the video, but not thru Movie Studio. Couldn't get it to recognize the input. I'll have to play with the drivers and see if that works.

musicvid10 wrote on 6/10/2013, 1:51 PM

It may not be the ADVC drivers that are causing issues, but your system's 1394 drivers.
Success has been reported using Windows legacy 1394 drivers with firewire cards having TI chipsets.