Camcorder pass-thru capture quality any good?

[TheFamilyMan]

I'm on the verge of buying a new, high end Sony DV camcorder that has an A to D pass-thru for analog video. I'm also on the verge of dumping my VIVO graphics card due to reliability issues. The graphics card uses an ATI Theater Rage chip and produces analog video captures that are very detailed in both resolution and color. Could I expect the same level of analog capture quality from the camcorder pass-thru, or should I stick with my graphics card? (I know there are many other options, but I'm only interested in the above for now) Thanks!

[binks120]

i use a canon dv camera and yes its very good althou i tend to capture onto dv tape then pass to my pc using the firewire connection

[edDV]

I'm on the verge of buying a new, high end Sony DV camcorder that has an A to D pass-thru for analog video. I'm also on the verge of dumping my VIVO graphics card due to reliability issues. The graphics card uses an ATI Theater Rage chip and produces analog video captures that are very detailed in both resolution and color. Could I expect the same level of analog capture quality from the camcorder pass-thru, or should I stick with my graphics card? (I know there are many other options, but I'm only interested in the above for now) Thanks!

DV camcoder "pass through" capture is very good with one major caveat for NTSC capture (other than Japan) and that is the incorrect black level (7.5 IRE goes to level 32 instead of 16 as it should). There is no problem for PAL areas.

see
http://pro.jvc.com/pro/attributes/prodv/clips/blacksetup/JVC_DEMO.swf

The level can be adjusted using an analog procamp (before A/D) or in software after capture.

[Jeremiah58]

With camcorder pass-thru, you get the same quality as your analog video source.
I was using Sony DV camcorder for the same purpose (to backup my VHS tapes), before I bought a DVD recorder.

[TheFamilyMan]

Thanks for all the feedback, especially the info about the black level settings. If all goes well, I'll have a new camcorder, and can ditch my flaky graphics card and not worry about getting another VIVO model to replace it.

[TheFamilyMan]

I finally got that new camcorder, a sony HC-96. It was tough decision, but for a casual "point and shoot" the affordable 3CCD models just didn't cut it in the low light department. Anyways, its analog passthru basically sucks and is far worse than using my new capture card. It's grainy and washed out. The black setup seems OK for the blacks do look very black (there is no setting for it). I also got a Kworld cheapie capture card ($30) at Fry's that uses the conexant chipset. Its capture quality is excellent once you figure out how to it coax into working with your own tools (ditch the crappy software that comes with it), it's as good as my failing ATI's VIVO.

[SingSing]

With camcorder pass-thru, you get the same quality as your analog video source.
I was using Sony DV camcorder for the same purpose (to backup my VHS tapes), before I bought a DVD recorder.

I will do the same as above. Buy a DVD recorder for VCR transfer, and then pick the miniDV you really like.