capturing analog video using camcorder

[dvnewbie]

I'm using a Sony DCR-TRV 18 to try to capture a VHS video tape into my computer. For software, I've tried Windows Moviemaker, Arcsoft Showbiz and Pixela. I have the same problem with all of them. I see the VHS tape running in the preview window on my computer just fine. However, the moment I hit "capture," the source automatically switches to the tape that is in the camcorder, cutting off the VHS pass-through feed. Up until recently, I had a work-around for this. I had found that with Moviemaker, I could run the capture program without a tape in the camera, and the pass-through was captured. Recently, my Moviemaker was updated to a newer version, and now that doesn't work anymore. Now on all of the programs, if I hit "capture" without a tape in the camera, I get an error message telling me to put a tape in the camera. Once I put a tape in the camera, the camera tape, not the VHS tape, becomes the only source for capture. Can anyone tell me how to get the VHS into my computer without buying expensive new hardware or software?

[Nitemare]

Try putting a blank tape in the camcorder and setting up your other VCR on the inputs to it. On the camera, hit record and then pause... then hit play on the VCR and see if you can capture it.

[Northpole]

I had the same problem as you w/Moviemaker after upgrade. I found out that both Videostudio 7 and Studio 8 would cap all right if I DO NOT have a tape in my Sony nibidv-cam. You can try them. Worked for me anyway.

[trojanrabbit]

I know you didn't want to buy expensive software, but you can try downloading Scenalyzer for a free trial (its $39 to buy). I use it with my Sony GV-D200 VCR, and it does not require a tape to be present.

It's the only software I've used that will allow me to capture and keep the audio and video in sync.

[LetsRip]

I know you didn't want to buy expensive software, but you can try downloading Scenalyzer for a free trial (its $39 to buy). I use it with my Sony GV-D200 VCR, and it does not require a tape to be present.

It's the only software I've used that will allow me to capture and keep the audio and video in sync.

I would definitely 2nd Trojanrabbit's comments -- Scenalyzer has an option to enable/disable automatic camera control, thereby allowing pass-through to work great (I have the Sony TRV-740). It also has a nice feature for pass-through -- a timer! This is great, since you can just let it go and stop capturing automatically.

Also, I too have found an interesting phenomenon with this software as mentioned by Trojanrabbit. When converting from DV to an AVI file and then to MPEG for DVD burning, the audio and video stay in sync. For some reason, using other apps the audio & video get out of sync after conversion to MPEG, but the original AVI plays fine. Scenalyzer has a option for 'keep audio & video in sync', and I'm not sure if this is only in reference to analog capture, but somehow it creates an AVI file that converts well to MPEG.

Trojanrabbit -- if you have other insight regarding the AVI audio/video sync outside of this thread, I would appreciate you sending me a private message, thanks.

[pijetro]

In some cases, it's required that the tape door of your camcorder should stay open while doing passthrough.

Good luck!!!!

[RobL]

I used the software DVIO and it worked fine. You have to start the camera by hand.
see the tools section item Capture for download.