Analog-to-digital passthrough

[FinChase]

I recently got a Sony DCR-HC21 camcorder. Based on what I've been reading on this site, it sounds like using the passthrough is one of the best methods to capture analog video to my PC. I'd like to use it to help me transfer several laser discs to DVD. I've been through the camcorder's manual several times, but I can't find anything that would tell me if it has a passthrough. Would it be called something else in the manual? Is there an easy way to tell if this model has that feature?

[thecoalman]

Usually it is listed here under the other features heading idf the cam has that feature which it is not. http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-HC21-Camcorder-Review.htm

You usually have to enable this feature in the cams menu, so if you can't find anything in the menu and considering it's not listed above it probably doesn't have that feature... that's an assumption on my part.

[The_Doman]

All what i can read, the DCR-HC21 seems not to have analog inputs so you probably can't use it for analog to digital conversion.....
The DCR-HC32 and higer does have this feature...

[FinChase]

Thanks for the info. Looks like it does not have the passthrough. I'll have to find another method to make my transfers.

[greymalkin]

do laserdisc players have s-video out? not sure if theres too big a gap in time between those technologies to see a laserdisc with s-video..but if there is i'm sure you could get good results capturing this way.

[gshelley61]

Many LD players do have s-video out. However, the signal stored on LD's is composite video, so the s-video output is created with a Y/C separation filter in the LD player. Since most LD players are over 10 years old, often the digital Y/C separation filters in today's DVD recorders and capturing devices is superior to what is in the old gear. One is usually better off using the composite video output in the case of laserdisc players.

[FulciLives]

I've noticed a trend that I do not like ... most of the new reasonably priced miniDV camcorders do NOT have analog-to-digital passthrough.

Such a shame too as we only realized not that long ago that some miniDV cams have a TBC built-in that rivals just about any other type of TBC device (this was in a thread from just a few months ago).

Thankfully stand alone or set up DVD recorders have come a long way and now do a really nice job especially with a decent signal as you should get from a LaserDisc.

I would look at the new Pioneer model comming out next month (the DVR-640H-s) or any of the JVC or even the recent Toshiba models.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman