Capturing analogue via DV Cam Passthrough

[spurs61]

I'm trying to use my Panny GS120 DV Cam's pass through feature to capture from my old analogue camcorder (so forgive me if I've picked the wrong forum here!). I'm using Studio 8 to capture but have also tried windows movie maker too.

Theoretically I should be able to capture analogue directly to my PC via my DV cam connected to my PC with firewire, without having to transfer to Mini DV tape first. When it's all hooked up it seems to work, I start my analogue tape playing and I see input from my analogue cam in studios preview windows. As soon as I hit the capture button the software wants to "play" my DV cam tape so I end up capturing that instead of getting what is playing on my analogue cam.

My questions/assumptions are

- I assume my problem is the software starting the DV cam playing and not a setup issue?
- If so is there any different software that gives you more control? i.e. just capture whatever is being received from the firewire
- Am I way off track and doing it all wrong?

Appreciate any help.

[44echo]

spurs,

I use WinDV to do this with my Sony HC30. It's free. I've never used Video Studio.

[schematic2]

Scenalyzer is by far the best of what I've tried...

[edDV]

You need to look for a setup option to turn off device control. Then it may work.

WinDV has the same issue but in that program, device control can be defeated by unchecking the box next to the record button.

[spurs61]

Thanks to all for your responses, that seem to have solved my problem. Pinnacle Studio 8 doesn't seem to allow you to not control the cam which isn't so helpful. WinDV did the trick.

of course now I have a problem that it only captures in B&W, but that's the cam I think and another post...

[edDV]

Most likely a bad cable between the analog camcorder and the GS120

[spurs61]

I think you are right, it was working in colour fine a week ago but today... B&W!

Funny thing is the GS120 has a AV IN/OUT port that breaks out into 3 AV RCA plugs but if you want to use the passthrough you seem to have to use this for Audio only and use S-video for video. Coming back to your comment, yes, I think it's my S-Video cable that is dodgy. It's a funny cable, S-Video to 2 RCA's, I'm not sure what the 2nd RCA is!!??