Capturing DVD or other video to DV (Mini DV)

[TheWulf]

Fairly new to DV here so bare with me,

Was wondering if its possible to transfer video files either from DVD or other MPG/AVI files to a DV tape.

I basically want to use my DV cam as a portable movie player. My DV player is a Panasonic DV-103, i do have the firewire interface installed and working with bother WinProducer and Premiere 6.

Thanks!

[TheWulf]

Ok from what I found out, DVIO has a function to send it to the camera. I can use DVIO to record from the camera to a file, but whenever I try to use it to send a video to the camera, all I get on the camera is a still image with no sound.

Little help please? The camera manual seems to indicate that the DV port does support both in and out.

EDIT: Found my answers, nm!

[racer-x]

You can use Premiere to transfer the video back to the camera. Go to file - Export Timeline - print to tape.
The video has to be DV AVI type 1 or 2 with audio @ 3200 or 4800 mghz to be compatable with camcorder.

[TheWulf]

Thats what I was doing.

The big problem with that is that it takes way too long to convert to AVI and expoer to the camera.

Isn't there someway I can do it on the fly from any file or even from my tv in card directly to the camera without converting to avi?

[dcsos]

Not unless you have a HIGH END Video Card in your tower with a VIDEO out jack on the VGA CARDS panel..That may also be a S-VIDEO type connector.

This lower quality (compared to the DV out) SCAN CONVERSION OUTPUT will contain only the VIDEO SIGNAL, so you must go to the SOUND card and see whether you have two outputs..Motherboard audio users will need a y connector NOW use your VIDEO RECORDER to simply tape record the SCREEN of your computer.

Note that the blanking of your program will be widened..
and anthing that happens on your computer during the transfer may make you skip frames in displaying the video...Its now a one-time performance event!

[TheWulf]

No problem there. I have a ti4300 8x with Vivo and an Audigy 2 platinum. I have all the outputs and inputs imaginable on this computer.

Problem is you only told me what I needed... now, how do I use that? The only input the camera has is firewire so I dont see how those outputs will even help.

[dcsos]

The only input the camera has is firewire

I'VE NEVER HEARD of this..

Look again..the camera probably has a
COMPOSITE VIDEO OUT
or SVHS VIDEO OUT
that functions as an INPUT also..
If its a mini plug for audio and video together--WATCH OUT YOU MAY NEED a special MINI-PLUG with
Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve architecture (One more RING than standard)


CHECK IT OUT

If its only a S-VHS connector(my suspicion) you'll need a BREAK-OUT adaptor..

Radio Shack sells one for $20 watch out tho' they have an active one that you pluginto the wall that cost $50
..

[TheWulf]

You are right, there is a normal composite video out. I didnt know that could be used as an input too. You are again right, is is a tip-ring-ring mini plug. I have that cable. I'll give it a try.

**edit/update:

I gave it a try. I connected the 3 rca type connectors to a regular output (yes i'm sure its an output and not an input) and plugged the mini jack into my camera's AV OUT plug. I set it to VCD mode and pressed RECORD. All I recorded was the normal blue screen, it didnt record anything.

Did I miss anything?

[dcsos]

Please check that the video out of the GE FORCE card is actally "CLONING" your desktop such that a movie played full screen would appear on the VIDEO OUT on the back of your computer..You need a standard NTSC monitor for this test..Sometimes you havta click the DESKTOP -go to the PROPERTIES of the DESKTOP -GO TO THE SETTINGS TAB -and hit ADVANCED near the bottom of this settings page to enable the TV out to operate at all!
If you have a TV hooked up normally to this output, just read on....


ONCE THE COMPUTER is putting out the correct signal,
ITS A MATTER of going into the soft key screens that control the camcorder in order to make it sensitive to composite VIDEO IN instead of FIREWIRE in, or CAMRA to tape.

[TheWulf]

I did even better than that. Instead of using the computer's TV-Out, I used the normal VGA out (like you get on the back of a VCD ang Gaming consoles) which DOES work when plugged into TV. Therefore, I know the wires are setup correctly and the signal is getting through.

The problem is when I hit the REC button on the camcorder, it does not record anything. I know it needs to be on VCR mode and not on CAMERA mode to record this way, and it is because it works when outputting a DV AVI file via Firewire. I also tried both record buttons, the normal one I'd use for camera mode and the other soft button that is under the LCD screen. All it records is that normal blue nothing.

The only explanation I can find is that the AV cable only works for output and not input.

Other ideas?

[mp3superfreak]

Are you sure your camcorder has analog in? It IS possible that the firewire port is the only in/out port, and the composite plugs are output only. I would check the manual and make sure. If I were a bettin' man, I'd say it doesn't

[TheWulf]

That's what I was saying all along. My original question was :

Is it possible to export any video file (any format other than DV) back to the camcorder? Ex, the camcorder or software would convert the DV file on-the-fly as it transfers it.

[dcsos]

Please post the MODEL number of the CAMCORDER..mabe we can help you more...
And humour me and try the less-good TV-out as well
edit:
ooops i see it on your profile...is this the machine?
does anyone else know if it has analog in?
PANNY PVD-103?

[TheWulf]

Yes, its the one in my profile. I also put the model number in my other message on top...

[dcsos]

You GUYS are RIGHT MY METHOD will only work with the next model up

The PANASONIC deal is they've replaced the VIDEO IN with S-VHS in only..and your camera is JUST BELOW the first model with S-IN

I 'm still not 100% sure as THE SPEC PAGE is very intentionally hiding the machines inabilities
http://www.prodcat.panasonic.com/shop/NewDesign/ModelTemplate.asp?ModelId=17852&show_a...ategoryId=2688

My best suggestion now is if this is really important to you..buy a standalone desktop convertor like the DAZZLE HOLLYWOOD BRIDGE it makes up for the shortcomis of the camera at $240 (less than a new cam anyway)

Otherwise convert the whole giant damn huge file to DVD AVI and output thru firewire to your camera in PREMIERE or ULEAD EDIT

[TheWulf]

Actually the model above this one (203) doesn't have inputs either (according to specs page).

I won't spend that much on the bridge, already considered that option.

I guess I will have to settle for for using premiere or winproducer and convert to DV AVI. The problem is that the conversion always sucks. WInProducer has audio out of synch and Premiere has choppy video (from an MPEG2 file anyways). The ULEAD version I have is crap so I won't bother with it.

Are there any other programs that can convert to DV ?

[yg1968]

You might want to try this program:

http://icqphone.ru/video2tv/

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=9073f8fb4e9095cb3c9311bbb667ef15&threadid=48302

[TheWulf]

Holy shit that is perfect

That is exactly what I wanted, I can't wait to get home and try it.

Thanks so much

[TheWulf]

Holy Shiat it works. I owe you a beer.

[TheWulf]

Arrrg....

It workED... for the first file. Now it seems that every single file I try does not work. I have no idea what's wrong. Just that nothing happens when I load the video file (nothing at all). I tried clicking play, etc, every connection is good, the program does recognize my camera, but it just wont play. Has anyone else used this?

[TheWulf]

** Problem solved:

If anyone else is having problems outputting video from this program, try uninstalling ALL your DVD playback software (or mpeg2 codecs). Solved it for me.