Capturing AV with Sony camcorder straight to computer

[emats]

I have a Sony DCR-TRV8 digital camcorder. It has an analog input and a firewire to the computer. Can I use this to capture AV to DV or does it need a special feature to do this? It would save me a couple hundred $$ if this was possible.

Eric

[Karate Media]

Find out if it supports what is called "pass-though." This means it would act as a DV bridge, allowing for an analog signal to "pass through" the device and be converted on the fly for transport via firewire to your computer.

Otherwise, you will need to record the analog footage onto the camera (via your analog inputs, obviously) and then play back the DV tape to send the footage via firewire. Obviously, this will take twice as long as will cause far more wear and tear than is necessary for your precious video investment.

[ochsfamily]

Somewhat related..

Is using a dv camcorder Vs a canopus, videoh, or another type of analog type of pass through the same or is one better.

The reason I asked, my dv camcorder will allow for a pass through. So I took a VCR played a tapped TV show went through the camcorder and then into the computer. I thought the quality was worse. Naturally I know the start source was not the greatest, but I at least thought it would be similar? A guy at work suggested that using addaptic videoh as the pass through would be better than the camcorder and thus saving some quality? Thoughts??

[ktnwin]

For Sony Digital 8 camcorder, go to the menu and enable DV-out.
This will allow pass-thru mode. I capture VHS tapes via my Sony D8 all the times.

[Tommyknocker]

Not all Sony D8s have pass-through. I wish mine did (DCR-TRV140), but I like it just the same.

[JohnWestbury]

Yes, not all support it, but if it does, it is great! I have 330 and it does. I accomplish what you are trying do all the time. If it doesn't, you will have to record to D8 and then transfer to pc.

[Tommyknocker]

Yes, but the only inputs to my I have are USB, DV, and camera lens. If I could afford a VHS with DV-in/out, then that would be great.

[ochsfamily]

So which is better as a pass through for analog to digital to the computer.

camcorder or some other devise made just for that type of conversion?