XL1 Analog > Digital Conversion?

[Gwobbie]

I have an XL1, and a small Panasonic 3CCD camera. They're both digital cameras, but I have some analog footage (VHS, etc.) that I want on the computer. I don't have a Analog video capture card... only firewire. I was told you can dub analog video (through composite RCA) onto a digital camera, then transfer THAT to the computer via firewire.

Is that possible with the XL1 or any camera? Or is that a feature on only select cameras. I'd like to avoid installing additional hardware on my system.

[daamon]

Hi Gwobbie,

I have a Canon XM2, from the same stable and family as the XL1. My XM2 can do what you want, as can many cams of many brands, so I'd guess your XL1 cam.

There should be something in the User Manual - that big white pamphlet that came with the cam...

[Gwobbie]

Yeah I've looked through it a couple times, and can't find anything on it. Describe how you generally go about it.

Is there any particular setting in the menu that you have to turn on?
I can get an audio input signal, but haven't succesfully gotten a video one. Thanks.

[lenti_75]

plug in rca in you camera.
plug in firewire from camera to pc
turn it on as play(vcr), not camera and no cassette to be safe
in menu, it should be av-dv conversion option, turn it on.

when you play, you capture digital video now in your sotfware cature menu

this works for my canon elura 40, the menu should be the same for all canons.

[daamon]

Hi Gwobbie,

I found an XL1 user manual online (here). I too have had a look and can't see any obvious reference to analog pass through.

I'm at work at the moment - I'll check in from home later and post any help if it's still needed.

As an aside, WinDV is good (and free) software to use for transferring from cam to PC.

[daamon]

Hi Gwobbie,

The entry in the "Contents" at the front of my XM2 user manual reads:

"Editing"
Digitally Outputting Analog Video and Audio Signals (Analog-Digital Converter) - p101

Page 101 tells you what can be done and how to hook the cam up to the analog source. The firewire out of the cam goes into the PC.

Page 102 reads: "To turn the analog-digital converter on, open the menu and select VCR SET UP. The select AV -> DV OUT, set it to ON and close the menu".

having followed the above some time ago, I have successfully done analog pass-through from VCR to my PC ending with a DV AVI on the PC.

Hope that helps. Good luck...