Analogue pass-through problem.

[Finncowboy]

I'll try and explain this as simply as possible.
Equipment used :
Sony TRV-25E
Firewire PCI Card

What I'm attempting to do :
Put an analogue signal into the cam, and record the digital output onto HD.

What's happening :
No matter what software I try, and I've tried most, I get the picture (and sound) from the analogue source previewing, but as soon as I try and capture/record it will only play the tape in the camera.
This is driving me loopy, and there must be a solution to this. Maybe it's so simple that I've overlooked it.
Please somebody help, before the men in white coats come for me!!!

[gadgetguy]

Remove the tape.

Edit:If that doesn't work try using WinDV and uncheck the device control.

[Finncowboy]

I just thought of that, funny enough. I think I've tried that before, but will give it a go now anyway.

[Finncowboy]

Well well well, HOORAH for WinDV. Guess I must have missed that one.
Still seem to have a problem with the interlacing, but I guess that's solved with some other software.
Thanks gadgetguy for saving my sanity.

[gadgetguy]

Glad I could help.

[Finncowboy]

Maybe I could pick your brains over one more thing. Do you think I should use Avi 1 or Avi 2? I seem to be getting about 250mb per min in Avi 2 and a little less in Avi 1, does that sound about right?

[daamon]

Do you think I should use Avi 1 or Avi 2?

The difference between DV AVI Types 1 & 2 is the way the audio is stored within the file. It's explained here in the "Glossary". A Google search will reveal more information.

As for which one to use - it depends on what you're gonna be doing next with the AVI, and which tool you're using. Some prefer Type 1, others prefer Type2 and some don't care.

However, it doesn't really matter which you go for as there is a tool to convert between the two and there's no quality loss: DV Type 1 to DV Type 2 Converter

[gadgetguy]

I use Type1 because I have a audio drift issue on long captures (about a hour or longer) with Type2, but it really depends on what editing software you use. Some only accept one or the other, some will accept both but favor one over the other, and some will work with either equally well (or equally badly ). There is no difference between the two for the video, but the audio is treated differently.

[Finncowboy]

I will be doing 2 things, dependant on what files it is. Some I will be converting to DivX (orXvid), and some I will be creating DVDs from.
Maybe it's normal, but this space usage is going to be troublesome. Would seem to me that I need about 15gb per hour of Avi 1 or 2, and then, I presume it's 4.5gb or 8.5gb for the converted to dvd files (Yes, I do have a DL recorder before you mention the 8.5 bit).
So, looks like to make a normal 2 hour DVD it reqiures near enough 35gb of space!!!! Is that right???

[daamon]

So, looks like to make a normal 2 hour DVD it reqiures near enough 35gb of space!!!! Is that right???

Yep - That's about right. Maybe more if you're gonna edit the DV AVI with transitions etc., these will be stored in short DV AVI clips.

The accepted estimate for DV AVI is about 13.5Gb per hour.

[gadgetguy]

Not quite. DV-AVI is approx. 13gig per hour, but the encoded DVD is based on the bitrate you choose to encode it at. I use a separate 80gig drive for my video processing then encode to another 18gig drive, then author back to the 80gig. Plus I have another 120gig drive that I use for storage. All of these are separate from my 10gig system drive and 4gig page drive. You probably don't need to go to that length, but a capture drive that is separate from the OS drive is a good idea. I wouldn't use less than 60gig but more is better.

[daamon]

...but the encoded DVD is based on the bitrate you choose to encode it at.

True. But I assumed Finncowboy would aim to fill the disk(s). Also, by assuming towards the larger numbers means that it's a "worst case" scenario and, if it turns out to be less, there's room for contingency.

[Finncowboy]

Quite right. I generally tend to let the authoring software decide the bitrate when it comes to making the final vob files.
I do seem to have a problem finding progs that will author DL disks though. Have allways used DVD Workshop before, as it's great for making menus ect., but even with the update that's supposed to support them, it won't do DLs! The only one that I've found that does work is Tsunami DVD Author (same people as TMPGEnc), but I don't like that as much as Workshop.
Besides, I do have 240gb of HD space (even though it's running out rappidly!), so the space isn't a problem.

[gadgetguy]

No argument. I was just saying his estimates are little high. You just can't have too much hard drive space when working with video.

[daamon]

I do seem to have a problem finding progs that will author DL disks though. Have allways used DVD Workshop before, as it's great for making menus ect., but even with the update that's supposed to support them, it won't do DLs! The only one that I've found that does work is Tsunami DVD Author (same people as TMPGEnc), but I don't like that as much as Workshop.

I think DVDLab Pro (maybe even the basic version) supports D/L.