Capturing VHS video -through- my camcorder? GL2

[Bansaw]

I'd like to transfer VHS video to my computer.
I was told that it could be possible through my camcorder.

I have a Canon GL2 which has AV and S-VIDEO inputs.
However, I'm not quite sure how to activate throughput.

Do you think its possible? I have a SCART to S-VIDEO cable.

Any ideas?

[Richard_G]

As you are in the UK surely your camcorder should be an XM2, the PAL version? Anyway, whichever it is, you should be able to do analogue to digital passthrough. You need to connect your video player to the analogue inputs on the camcorder and your camcorder to the computer by Firewire. The camcorder needs to be in playback mode. I'm not too familiar with Canon kit (all my camcorders are Sony) but there may be a menu item marked AV>DV that needs to be turned on.

One word of advice, unless your VCR is an SVHS model, it is unlikely that it will output S-Video, only composite. Trying to use S-Video on a VCR that doesn't output it will result in only black and white video. You'll need to use the yellow phono composite output instead. The quality isn't as good, but it's still better than the original VHS tape.

[igor_video]

as Richard_G said, also have you thought about the macrovision problem Bansaw. It's quite common when trying to copy vhs tapes.

Probably won't matter to you, but I have a multi region vhs player, PAL only camcorders will have problems taping from ntsc tapes. NTSC only camcorders will have problems taping from PAL machines. Even if you are sure about the format you're using there is another problem: Afaik all upper range PAL/NTSC mini dv camcorders are macrovision enabled devices. $40, $90

Many pc capture cards ignore macrovision and ntsc/pal formats can be recorded and converted so you don't have to worry about those two issues, they're not expensive and capture straight to mpeg2 for easier dvd conversion - as opposed to the larger dv files.

[Richard_G]

The advice about macrovision is perfectly valid but only applies to pre-recorded tapes. If you are trying to copy home recorded tape then it won't be a problem. If I try to use any of my Sony camcorders for passthrough with macrovision protected tapes, it will capture the first couple of seconds and then stop and display Illegal Action.

Here's a couple of links to UK suppliers of video stabilisers if macrovision is likely to be a problem.

http://www.sonel.com/
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Digital-Video-Stabilizer-Macrovision-Remover_W0QQitemZ1201037324...QQcmdZViewItem

[thecoalman]

The advice about macrovision is perfectly valid but only applies to pre-recorded tapes. If you are trying to copy home recorded tape then it won't be a problem.

That's not entirely true, really depends on the device and the condition of the tapes. Can't say I've see a lot of posts from camcorder users about this but I have seen a few. Coincidentally I just updated an article on my site about this a few days ago:

http://www.nepadigital.com/mv/index.php

[Bansaw]

Thanks for all the advice.
I actually bought my GL2 in the US and imported it here. So you're right, it is NTSC.
I am trying to look at PAL videos.

I attached a SCART->COMPOSITE_VIDEO adaptor and it finally got through to my camcorder. Sadly the picture was very jumpy and black and white.
So I think its the NTSC/PAL problem.

Perhaps if I can't get the GL2 throughput working then I should go for a capture card for my laptop.

Trouble is I did buy one: KWorld. It works but not very well at all, and the software crashes my computer.

I need to buy a quality capture card that works fine on my laptop.

[thecoalman]

I attached a SCART->COMPOSITE_VIDEO adaptor and it finally got through to my camcorder. Sadly the picture was very jumpy and black and white.
So I think its the NTSC/PAL problem.

That's what it looks like. Sorry can't help you with any pal/ntsc issues.

[Richard_G]

I actually bought my GL2 in the US and imported it here. So you're right, it is NTSC.
I am trying to look at PAL videos.

I attached a SCART->COMPOSITE_VIDEO adaptor and it finally got through to my camcorder. Sadly the picture was very jumpy and black and white.
So I think its the NTSC/PAL problem.

You're absolutely right. It isn't going to work. Any reason why you bought an NTSC camcorder or did you just do as a lot of other Brits have done and bought one while on holiday in the States because it was cheap and didn't realise the implications? A friend did exactly the same but bought online. New model HDV camcorder, nearly £300 cheaper buying from the US but now finds that he can't do anything with the footage other than watch it by plugging the camcorder into the TV and playing it back.