Panasonic E60 and DV input -- Old topic, new slant

[nosoap1]

I just bought an E60S, mainly for the Firewire input, to archive old Sony 8 and Digital 8 tapes digitally (yes, I know the 8 and Hi8 tapes are analog, but they go through a digital conversion).

Still waiting for a 4-pin to 4-pin cable to arrive to try it out, but I found this terrific forum while trying to learn more before using the recorder. There seem to be issues with recording through the Firewire, so when I called Panny support to discuss some connection problems, I asked what to watch out for. Guess what -- they told me they don't support any camcorders other than Panasonic. "You can try it with your camcorder, but we don't support any other brands than our own."

I never saw anything to this effect online, nor heard it in the store(s) I went to, but would like to know if the connection is unusable as a DV input from the Sony camcorder. If so, I'll take the Panny back, get a cheaper one and use analog inputs, or get another brand that someone might recommend.

Any help would be appreciated.

[PhilipL]

Withdrawn

[kabanero]

nosoap1

You can try LiteOn LVW-5001 if Panasonic doesn't work for you.
It is only $250.00 in CompUSA this week without any rebates.
I have it, and I have Sony D8 camcorder, and quality is exellent when recording via FireWire.
It has state of the art LSI Logic encoder/decoder chip.

Plus

1. you will not have to buy those expencive DVD-RAM disks
2. after you record on DVD+RW, you can play it on any other DVD player without finalizing.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=309011&pfp=srch1

[Kevin abq]

Nosoap1,

Also, a lot of recorders support remote control of the DV camcorder, but only if it's the same brand. You can't really blame them because they have no control over all those interfaces out there. I would just try the Panasonic and manually put the camcorder in "PLAY" mode.

[kabanero]

Nosoap1,

Also, a lot of recorders support remote control of the DV camcorder, but only if it's the same brand. You can't really blame them because they have no control over all those interfaces out there. I would just try the Panasonic and manually put the camcorder in "PLAY" mode.

Kevin,

Not exactly true,

My LiteOn 5001 controls my Sony D8 camcorder via FireWire with on screen controls. No need for camcorder remote control.

[Kevin abq]

Nosoap1,

Also, a lot of recorders support remote control of the DV camcorder, but only if it's the same brand. You can't really blame them because they have no control over all those interfaces out there. I would just try the Panasonic and manually put the camcorder in "PLAY" mode.

Kevin,

Not exactly true,

My LiteOn 5001 controls my Sony D8 camcorder via FireWire with on screen controls. No need for camcorder remote control.

What part wasn't true? That a lot of recorders support remote but only their own brand? I think it is true, even if there are exceptions like your case.

[nosoap1]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I'm anxiously awaiting my Firewire cable -- lots of family movies to archive. Will let you all know how it works out.

On the topic of the E60: most other functions seem to be working in good fashion. Of course, the manual is as poorly written as most, and I've had to take each step gingerly so as not to undo the laborious work of archiving my VHS tapes, but the recording in SP mode is just fine, at least for tape transfers. Title entry is a chore, but the final result is as good as advertised.

[edlav]

I have the E60 and a Sharp digital camcorder. I connect to the firewall port with no problems. What I really like about the Panny is the flex recording. If the tape is 1 hour 15 mins you can set the flex for the exact time and it will burn a full disk. I don't like the menu so after I copy the disk I put the movie into my computer and run it through TMPGEnc DVD Author and make menus and chapters.

[zorankarapancev]

I have the Panasonic E60 and two Sony DV/DVCam cameras and DVCam player and they just love each other!

"...dont worry, be happy..."

[nosoap1]

All's well that.......
4>4 pin firewire cable arrived, hooked up, recorded beautifully on E60 (manually -- as indicated by others, autoDV record only works with Panasonic camcorders).
Whatever they're doing in the compression, the video on the E60 from analog 8mm tapes looks better after the conversion than originally. Way to go Panasonic!
Bottom line -- it does was it says it does, and what more can you ask for.

Dan/nosoap1

[PhilipL]

Withdrawn