How do you do a "Digital Copy" from DV tape to com

[akrasna]

I am confused about something. I guess it means I don't understand DV .. or maybe Firwire or maybe the SW

IF DV is digital - can't I just to a "copy" it bit by bit (the data from the tape) to the computer.

And if I do the quality should be the EXACT same as what I have on the tape?

Is this correct or is there a fault in my logic?
I am not talking now about converting to MPEG or compression. Or other
stuff. Just a raw copy.

IF this in fact is possible/how is it done.
What SW do I use to copy the data ?
Or maybe just a copy utility ?
Does the copy need to be in real time
- or can the data move faster/slower than play time?
What format is the DV in .. and what format is it once at the PC.

I would assume (maybe incorrectly) that this is the best way for me to get the data to my PC and then do the compression/conversion stuff.

If there is a good guide about this. (more about the concept that how to do it) I would appreciate it.

The way I am doing it I am doing the same type of capture if I am analog or digital camcorder source .. Just using a cap card for one and FW for the other.

Thanks
Allen

[Dragonsf]

As you don't specify what HW and OS you're using, I can only tell you, how I do it:Under Win2K I use DVApp to transfer from DCR to HD using a FW interface.With DVApp, you can control the DCR (start/stop rewind and such).There is no quality loss during the transfer (provided your HD is fast enough).

[holistic]

I am confused about something. I guess it means I don't understand DV .. or maybe Firwire or maybe the SW
NOTED
IF DV is digital - can't I just to a "copy" it bit by bit (the data from the tape) to the computer.
That is EXACTLY what you do .It is a data transfer.
And if I do the quality should be the EXACT same as what I have on the tape?
Correct
Is this correct or is there a fault in my logic?
no - you are doing very well mr spock
I am not talking now about converting to MPEG or compression. Or other
stuff. Just a raw copy.
So am I

IF this in fact is possible/how is it done.
What SW do I use to copy the data ?
Goto to "tools" section (left of screen) look for DVIO simple DV transfer utility

Or maybe just a copy utility ?
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=45#comments
Does the copy need to be in real time
Yes
- or can the data move faster/slower than play time?
NO
What format is the DV in .. and what format is it once at the PC.
AVI (wrapper)

I would assume (maybe incorrectly) that this is the best way for me to get the data to my PC and then do the compression/conversion stuff.
For a DV camcorder a firewire transfer is the preferred way to put your video onto the computer - yes
If there is a good guide about this. (more about the concept that how to do it) I would appreciate it.
No guide really necessary. (assuming your computer has a firewire card) . just plug in the camera ,your computer should regonize it , start transfer application .ie: DVIO . easy !

The way I am doing it I am doing the same type of capture if I am analog or digital camcorder source .. Just using a cap card for one and FW for the other.
rephrase statement

][

[Will Hay]

Is this correct or is there a fault in my logic?
no - you are doing very well mr spock

[akrasna]

Thanks for the answer Captain.

Now the next step. If I am using a Canopus advc-50 that converts my analog to dv signal will the copy util still work?

yeah I know I should just try it , but that is at home and I am in the office.

Thanks
Allen

oh yeah . one more thing
WHY does it need to copy in real time? just cuase of the DV player motor?
theorectically I could do a faster copy if I got the SW and moro of the DV to buy in no?

[holistic]

Thanks for the answer Captain.
UR welcome

Now the next step. If I am using a Canopus advc-50 that converts my analog to dv signal will the copy util still work?
never used that product, but the principles are valid. It is an AD converter therefore any DV transfer utility should work. Did it not come with one??
yeah I know I should just try it , but that is at home and I am in the office.
.....tick ......tock......tick ....tock........

Thanks
Allen
N.P.

oh yeah . one more thing
WHY does it need to copy in real time? just cuase of the DV player motor?
theorectically I could do a faster copy if I got the SW and moro of the DV to buy in no?
WTF you and scotty being hittin trigalian ale again? It needs to copy in real time because that is just how it works.

][

[SMHarman]

<snip>
oh yeah . one more thing
WHY does it need to copy in real time? just cuase of the DV player motor?
theorectically I could do a faster copy if I got the SW and moro of the DV to buy in no?

Because your camcorder can only read all data (bit by bit) from the tape in real time. This is a massive bandwidth. Think compressed to MP2 this stuff can be at 9.8Mb/s Uncompressed its far higher.

If the tape is written in the same way as VHS - its not linear, but at an angle across the tape using a revolving head. To read faster invoves increasing the tape speed and the head speed.

Another comment - most software you use to edit DV includes a capture feature. While it looks like the image is being played to the software, this is a direct data transfer from the tape also.

[freakyalbino]

isnt the data digital but some quality is lost with the dv codec? wouldnt you have to use uncompressed rgb avi or a lossless codec to keep it all? Actually, is dv codec lossless?

[holistic]

I see your confusion ..... yes i suppose one could say the DV codec is lossy since there is compression involved. ~5:1
BUT once that compression has been achieved ,the DV (avi) can be copied until the second coming with no generational loss. Or so the wise men say.
From what i have been told by the pros on the Adobe Premiere forums, DV (avi) can be copied/cut with no generation loss but once transitions/filters are added then reencoding must be done.

][

[Dragonsf]

For what it's worth:
IIRC then there is an issue with codecs:all codecs are somewhat classified with a number.This number says, how often you can reencode using that specific codec, before you notice losses.I thing MC condec has the number 5, which means, you can amke 5 reencodings.