VCR > Digital Video Camera > Computer

[pdaldegan]

Hi all,

Has anyone here used a digital video camera to capture from a VCR to a computer using analog inputs on the camera and the firewire connection?
How does it work? Do I have to record the content prior to capturing, or can it be done on-the-fly? What about quality issues? Any losses from the original VHS?

Thanks for your help,
Pedro

PS: does anyone know if this can be done with a PV DV52 from Panasonic?

[BJ_M]

dont put a tape in the dv and it works fine ussually as passthrough..

the dv is not going to make the vhs worse .. in fact it may help stablize it somewhat ..

[EricB]

Pedro,

I do it all the time and the quality is great. Check the Panasonic website to see if it will do analog to DV passthrough. This means it will do the conversion without recording to tape. Many of the Sony's do this, I'm not familiar with Panasonic.

If it won't do this, then it is a lot less practical to convert lots of VHS due to the wear and tear on the camcorder drive. In this case, I would recommend the Canopus conversion units or a Dazzle Hollywood Bridge.

One last comment, I've had the best results with VHS converting the files to xSVCD with a 352x480 (NTSC) frame size. I've had a number of comments that these look cleaner than the originals (not sure this is possible!).

[G-man]

Check out the Canon ZR-40; it as Analog pass-through and can be had for under $500 via Internet shopping. There is a DV->OUT setting on the camera that you turn on when you want to use the pass-thru feature.

I have this camera and it creates excellent quality captures via the pass-thru. It's hard to tell the difference between my Direct-TV signal and a capture encoded via TMPGEnc and burned onto DVD-R.

[yg1968]

The Panasonic pvdv52 does not have passthrough or video-in:

http://www.aaacamera.com/panasonic_pdv52.html

I would suggest the Sony TRV-18 instead.

[pdaldegan]

Hi yg1968,

Are you stating that the Panasonic PVDV52 does not have video-in based on the site information only, or because you personally know this camera?
The reason why I am asking that is because I have found many contradictory information on the web regarding this issue.
For instance, if you that a look at the Canon ZR40 specs at the following site:
http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11099525&m=82&cat=93&scat=96
it states that this model does not have line input recording, whereas we know, by G-man's personal experience that it does. I have also downloaded its manual, and it confirms G-man's information.
I have found the same contradictory information for the PVDV52, so that's why I am asking you if you personally know this camera, because one of the ways to be sure about it is to ask someone who does, or to take a look at its manual (which I could not find to download).
Thanks for the tip on the TRV18, but my budget is limited to US$ 500... and I cannot internet shop, for I live in Brazil and I would have to pay expensive importation fees if I did so, whereas if I am traveling, I can bring up to US$ 500 from abroad, free from importation fees.


Best regards,
Pedro

[pdaldegan]

I forgot to post a link in which a reviewer states that the Panasonic PVDV52 has composite in/out port:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/panasonic_pvdv52_camcorder_review.htm

This one states it has analog input:
http://www.consumerdvreviews.com/camcorders/Panasonic_PVDV52/specs.asp

[yg1968]

I based my answer on the ad. It's strange that they do not advertize this feature (if it has it). Sorry for any confusion. You can't always believe what you read...

I own a Sony TRV-25. Unfortunately, it sells for $900 at BestBuy. But I find that it is worth the price as it has pass through and defeats macrovision. It is also a good camcorder!

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11121374&m=82&cat=93&scat=96

The Sony digital 8 camcorders are a less expensive option that have passthrough but don't get the TRV 140 as it does not have video in or a pass through feature.

[mp3superfreak]

Be careful reading the specs on the camcorders....some allow analog "pass through", while others (such as my Canon ZR10), have "Analog In". The difference is that I must record to DV before sending to the PC via Firewire. This uses more time, but also allows you to archive the old VHS tapes on DV tape.

I've converted a dozen or so of my old VHS home movies to DVD by using my ZR10, and they look as good, or in some cases better than the originals!

[ahfairley]

I tried both the Canon ZR-40 and the Sony TRV-18 and ended up with the Sony. The Canon's mic picked up the cameras motor noise something awful when things were quiet - even outdoors, the Sony was practically silent. Both do analog pass-though by the way.

[staniks]

would you guys confirm analog passthrough on my JVC DVL820?

I read the manual and it says analog dubbing but i'd rather do pass through. like mentioned above I don't want to put that wear on the camera just to convert old VHS tapes

http://books.jvcservice.com/download/324084197/26583.pdf

link for manual

thanks

[TeachDJ]

Yes. I have the DVL820u and it DOES do pass through.

[Paul Simmel]

Very interesting reading folks. My son has a JVC GR-DVL805 camcorder, which will be mine if I spend the money to repair it. Before I do, does

“i.Link Digital Input/Output (IEEE 1394 compliant) DV in/out”

mean I would be able to do analog pass-through, as is being discussed here?

Thanks!

Paul

[jtor]

...Before I do, does

“i.Link Digital Input/Output (IEEE 1394 compliant) DV in/out”

mean I would be able to do analog pass-through, as is being discussed here?

No. It only refers to the firewire port that the camcorder has. You can use this to transfer video from/to this camcorder to/from a PC (with a firewire port).

[yoshi1668]

I have a TRV25 also. I'm trying to do exactly what you trying to do. All the hookup and setting of the camcorder seems OK. But how can I capture this video into computer from this point on. The software that comes along with the camcorder does not seems to have this function.

[Paul Simmel]

Thanks, JTOR,

Paul Simmel wrote:

...Before I do, does

“i.Link Digital Input/Output (IEEE 1394 compliant) DV in/out”

mean I would be able to do analog pass-through, as is being discussed here?

>>No. It only refers to the firewire port that the camcorder has. You can use this to transfer video from/to this camcorder to/from a PC (with a firewire port).

But I can still record an analog source onto the DV camera, through the DV/In terminal, then use firewire via the DV camera for capture to the pc? I am so intrigued with the idea that I might be able to have no degradation from analog source in this way. If I am okay with raw .avi files (which I am because of the quality issue), then I could essentially bypass my capture card altogether, correct?

Paul[/quote]

[Paul Simmel]

I am SOL. I found a link:

http://www.gearpreview.com/film/minidv/dvl805u.html

for researching what your dv camera can/cannot do. Thanks for the interesting reading.

Paul