New Sony DV Cam

[rvl123]

I was in an electronics store the other day when I saw a Sony DV Cam that allows you to capture Hi8 video to DV with a composite in.

Now, what I am asking is this - Can I plug in any source (i.e. VHS, TV, etc.) and capture it to DV then route it to my comp via Firewire?

Anyone have this camera?

Help appreciated...

[yg1968]

Yes many Sony camcorders have "analog in" and a feature called a "passthrough feature". The passthrough feature converts the video (vhs, etc) to DV and sends it to your computer through firewire (without having to use a DV tape).

The basic Sony models do not have this feature (TRV-19 and TRV-250), so avoid them. The other models have it (TRV-22, TRV-33, TRV-350, etc).

[rvl123]

it looks like a cool feature.

how is the quality? I might just skip the capture card and get this camera...

[David K]

I've got a Sony TRV 340 which has this feature and it is great for digitalizing VHS tapes.

The quality is great: it digitalizes at full DV resolution (720 x 480) and then you can decide what to do with that: I convert to SVCD or DVD.

One proviso: even though my model and others have the pass-through feature, you have to find the right capture software to make it work. Premier and Vegas have capture software that works.

[indolikaa]

I have passthru capability on my Sony DCR-TRV120, and it's all I've been using for captures for the last 4-5 weeks.

I use WinDV (free) to capture and VirtualDub to append/edit before letting TMPGEnc chew on it for a couple of hours. I use it for VHS, LD and Satellite TV and am very happy with the final product.

This is the first capture method I've used where I was actually pleased with the VCD results.

[Will Hay]

Yes many Sony camcorders have "analog in" and a feature called a "passthrough feature". The passthrough feature converts the video (vhs, etc) to DV and sends it to your computer through firewire (without having to use a DV tape).

The basic Sony models do not have this feature (TRV-19 and TRV-250), so avoid them. The other models have it (TRV-22, TRV-33, TRV-350, etc).

Depends were you are.
The TRV-19 does have it in the UK, the TRV-14doesn't.
Will

[MpegEncoder]

I've got a Sony TRV 340 which has this feature and it is great for digitalizing VHS tapes.

The quality is great: it digitalizes at full DV resolution (720 x 480) and then you can decide what to do with that: I convert to SVCD or DVD.

One proviso: even though my model and others have the pass-through feature, you have to find the right capture software to make it work. Premier and Vegas have capture software that works.

The free DVIO program works just great for the capture.

[kazzer]

I highly recommend this method of digitizing your analog video, especially if you are considering buying a new camcorder anyway. I have the Canon MV 550i.

With this type of solution:
Quality is superb, identical to original video.
No dropped frames.
No lip sync crap.

[rvl123]

Sweet!

I think I'll buy the Sony with that feature

Thanks for all your help