Using MiniDV cam as passthrough for capturing VHS

[matthewedwinmiller]

Hi everyone, complete noob here Desperate for some help!

I would like to use my MiniDV camcorder as a passthrough, in order to feed my VCR/VHS analog tapes into my PC. Here's the setup:
VCR with composite outputs (right, left, video) going into camcorder mini-stereo plug
Sony TRV8 MiniDV camcorder, firewire out to PC

I can plug the VCR into the camcorder, turn the camcorder to VTR mode, and see the VCR image on the camcorder's LCD screen. I can also record the VCR input onto a MiniDV tape. The cam seems to be capturing the analog signal fine.

But... as soon as I plug the firewire cable into the camcorder, I lose the VCR picture on the camcorder, it just goes to the blue screen. Nothing seems to let me pass the analog VCR signal through the camcorder, through the firewire into the PC.

Suggestions? Thanks!

[edDV]

Hi everyone, complete noob here Desperate for some help!

I would like to use my MiniDV camcorder as a passthrough, in order to feed my VCR/VHS analog tapes into my PC. Here's the setup:
VCR with composite outputs (right, left, video) going into camcorder mini-stereo plug
Sony TRV8 MiniDV camcorder, firewire out to PC

I can plug the VCR into the camcorder, turn the camcorder to VTR mode, and see the VCR image on the camcorder's LCD screen. I can also record the VCR input onto a MiniDV tape. The cam seems to be capturing the analog signal fine.

But... as soon as I plug the firewire cable into the camcorder, I lose the VCR picture on the camcorder, it just goes to the blue screen. Nothing seems to let me pass the analog VCR signal through the camcorder, through the firewire into the PC.

Suggestions? Thanks!

Some camcorders support pass through and some don't. Check the specs.

If you don't have it, you need to record to tape first.

[SingSing]

You need to start your PC with an application like windv, and start it in recording mode, and the camcorder should start taking in the video via the audio/video port.

[matthewedwinmiller]

how about Windows Movie Maker? does it matter which app you use?

Does starting a video capture application in record mode do something to "unjam" the firewire connection so the video comes through? Can you describe the exact sequence of steps/connections I should make?

Thanks!

[matthewedwinmiller]

Ok, I tried this out...

When I run the WinDV app, if the cam/firewire cable is not connected, the app doesnt recognize the device. As soon as I plug in the firewire cable, im back where I started: the analog signal into the camcorder goes dead.

I have a tape in the camcorder with some home movies on it. I can transfer that to the PC using this setup and WinDV, that worked fine. It just will not pass the analog signal through the camera when the firewire cable is connected.

Im wondering if there is some configuration in the camcorder setup menu that I need to change...

[edDV]

how about Windows Movie Maker? does it matter which app you use?

Does starting a video capture application in record mode do something to "unjam" the firewire connection so the video comes through? Can you describe the exact sequence of steps/connections I should make?

Thanks!

No, the camcorder needs to have that feature.

Methods to enter pass-thru vary by model but most default to pass through in VCR mode if there is no tape loaded.


PS: I should say many rather than most since I haven't sampled a majority of models.

[matthewedwinmiller]

Thanks, but how do I find this out? I have the original camcorder manual, but dont see any info about pass-through.

[edDV]

Thanks, but how do I find this out? I have the original camcorder manual, but dont see any info about pass-through.

Then you probably don't have that feature.

[matthewedwinmiller]

fyi - I removed the tape from the camcorder, and still viewing the analog VCR signal on the camcorders' screen, plugged in the firewire: image goes blank.

Anyone know if passthrough is supported on these TRV-8 camcorders?

[edDV]

Google "DCR-TRV8" "TRV8" "pass through" and read the comments

Some say no, some say yes.

[matthewedwinmiller]

Hmm... I see a comment from an anonymous reviewer of "No pass through of RCA/Svid to IEEE 1394 for capture use."
http://cameras24x7.com/b-dcrtrv8
This is the most "official" comment I can find on passthrough on the TRV8.

Guess Im stuck with copying to tape first, then tape to PC? the problem there is that tapes are only 60 mins. If I use LP mode instead of SP, will that give me 2 hours of tape storage, at a quality level that will not be worse than the original analog VHS source?

(thanks a TON for this help, im thankful I found this bulletin board!)

[edDV]

Yep tape is the alternative.

LP mode records to narrower tracks at the same quality. For what you are doing LP should work (90min on 60min tape) but it is not a good way to record for long term storage. Just get the dub done to digital on HDD or DVD.

Narrow tracks may only play back on that one camcorder. Over time, as the camcorder wears, they may not be playable on that camcorder either.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Check the camcorder's menu settings for an option to set the direction of the Firewire transfer.

One of my Sonys requires you tell it DV IN or DV OUT.

EDIT - I found the manual at http://www.henrys.com/manuals/sony/DCR-TRV8-10(en).pdf and it says nothing about passthrough.

A google returned: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCRTRV8-Handycam-Digital-Camcorder/dp/B0000206CN which claims you can't do it

[matthewedwinmiller]

Ah, now we are on to something! When I plug the firewire cable into the camcorder, not only does the screen go blank/blue, but I see the words DV IN on the camcorder display.

I do not see any menu option for changing from IN to OUT... it may only work on the TRV10 model, as my manual indicates there is supposed to be a menu option called ETC > DV EDITING > IN or OUT.

[Richard_G]

My Sony camcorder (different model to yours though) has a selectable menu option of AV->DV on or off. If yours doesn't have this as an option, it is unlikely that it can do passthrough.