Creating & Storing DV Masters

[Dubinvero]

I have a large number of family videos on S-VHS, Regular 8mm and Hi-8mm. I own a Canopus ADVC100. I also own a Sony TRV530 Digital 8 camcorder.

I want to convert all of my analog home videos to DV and store the unedited masters on mini-DV tape. I am about to purchase a good quality mini-DV camcorder. My immediate goal is to convert the analog home videos to DV in the most efficient manner at the best possible quality.

As I understand it I have 2 options for converting and capturing to Mini-DV tape.

1. Use my digital 8 camcorder to convert to DV and feed the DV directly into the mini-DV camcorder to create the master tape.

2. Use the Canopus ADVC100 to convert to DV and feed the DV directly into the mini-DV camcorder.

I do not wish to edit at this time. Am I correct in thinking that capturing the DV output on my PC and downloading back to the mini-DV camcorder is an unnecessary step.? Which of my 2 alternavives will likely provide the better quality conversion.?

I would greatly appreciate feedback from others who have already created unedited DV masters.

[thecoalman]

If your goal is to get it to mini DV I'd feed it from the source right to the mini-dv cam.

There's no difference between the type of format mini-dv uses and digital 8, just the tapes.

[edDV]

Yes, use the Digital 8 to dub 8mm, Hi8 and and Digital8 to the MiniDV camera over the IEEE-1394 cable. Use the Canopus ADVC for these only if you can't get good tracking using the Digital8 camcorder.

Dub the S-Video tapes through the Canopus ADVC to the MiniDV camcorder over IEEE-1394.

Later you can transfer any of the MiniDV or Digital 8 material to the computer over IEEE-1394 for editing and DVD authoring if you desire.

Save the original tapes in a cool dry space. You or a familiy member might want to invest in a better dub later.

[thecoalman]

Dub the S-Video tapes through the Canopus ADVC to the MiniDV camcorder over IEEE-1394.

Ed, is there a reason why you suggest running it through the Canopus as opposed to feeding it directly to the mini-dv?

[Dubinvero]

Thanks for the feedback.

[edDV]

Dub the S-Video tapes through the Canopus ADVC to the MiniDV camcorder over IEEE-1394.

Ed, is there a reason why you suggest running it through the Canopus as opposed to feeding it directly to the mini-dv?

Good point, you could do it either way or both and compare the two hardware codecs. I guess I was looking for a role for the canopus box.

[LordVader]

Dubinvero, i'm planning to buy the same digital8 camcorder you have, the trv530, but i can't find a very useful review about that camcorder.

can you give me some comments about your experience with the trv530 ?

also, i want to know if it's possible to rec. any other audio source, plugged in the rca audio input, while yor shooting normaly.

the thing is... that i'm planning to use the audio from a mixing console, and and want to record the sound in the camera, but not through the "mic in". i want to record it through the "line in".

also, i want to know if the built-in mic, is muted when recording through the rca audio inputs.

thanks.


if you have used via chipsets for DV transfer, with the trv530, your comment would be useful for me too.

[Dubinvero]

LordVader, the 154 page user manual does not address this issue so I tested to see if using the RCA input jacks would mute the built in microphone. Unfortunately they dont mute the built in microphone. However, the camera has an external microphone input which does mute the built in one when you plug in the external. I believe you can readily find an adapter cable which will enable you to connect RCA phono inputs into the external microphone jack.

I received this camcorder as a gift. My non-expert opinion is similar to the feedback I have seen from other owners. The TRV530 does a poor job in low light conditions. Indoor shots with all of the lights on are grainy and have a washed out look. The camera is at its best on a bright sunny day. Going forward my main use for the camera will be to transfer my Regular-8 and Hi-8 home videos to DV.

Derek

[edDV]

Dubinvero, i'm planning to buy the same digital8 camcorder you have, the trv530, but i can't find a very useful review about that camcorder.

can you give me some comments about your experience with the trv530 ?

also, i want to know if it's possible to rec. any other audio source, plugged in the rca audio input, while yor shooting normaly.

the thing is... that i'm planning to use the audio from a mixing console, and and want to record the sound in the camera, but not through the "mic in". i want to record it through the "line in".

also, i want to know if the built-in mic, is muted when recording through the rca audio inputs.

thanks.


if you have used via chipsets for DV transfer, with the trv530, your comment would be useful for me too.

LordVader, this is where the pro and consumer MiniDV/D8 camcorders differ. Low end DV camcorder audio works this way

16 bit Mode - 2 Ch stereo from mic input only (internal or external jack)

12 bit Mode - audio 1 = 2 Ch stereo from mic input only (internal or external jack)
plus additional 12bit 2 Ch stereo audio 2 that can be dubbed in later

The second track can be used for
- music backgrounds
- narration
- or with an external mixer, both of the above plus a camcorder sound #1 mix

On playback there is a mixer function to mix between audio 1 and audio 2 stereo pairs.

Prosumer DV camcorders (e.g. Sony PD series) can record all 4 12 bit tracks live with either unbalanced or balanced low or impedence XLR inputs.

So what's a Digital8 PO-boy audio music geek to do?
Beachtek (and some others) makes a line of input mixer/adapters to feed the 16 bit external microphone jack with quality audio.

Starting with the DXA-2s (approx $150 plus cables and mics)
http://www.beachtek.com/dxa2s.html
It will take 2 XLR line level inputs from the pro audio board and you are in business. Line level 600 ohm XLR cables can be quite long.

If the mixer board is a cheap Radio Shack, the DXA-2s will also take a red/white to mini jack consumer short cable as well.

A typical use of the DXA-2s is to support a local to the cam XLR pro mic (shotgun or hand held) and an external wireless mic.

There are other hgher end models with more inputs.

PS: there is also the DXA-2 that has one XLR in that can be wired for unbalanced stereo. A bit cheaper http://www.beachtek.com/dxa2.html