Software to capture a stream from a Camcorder.

[kelemvor]

Howdy,

I'm borrowing my brother's Sony DCR-TRV340 Digital8 Camcorder so I can convert some old VHS-C tapes into DVDs.

Per the manual I can use the "streaming" function to play via my VCR into the Input on th amcorder and then Output the camcorder via the USB port to my PC (I don't have a Firewire port or I could use that too).

Anyway, the manual says:

You need to install software that supports the exchange of video signals.

What sort of software can I use to record the signal as it comes into the PC? Do I just use something standard like VirtualDub or do I need something special since I"m not using a capture card.

Thanks!

[edDV]

The streaming output from USB is very low resolution CIF (352x240) and not what you want for dubbing tapes.

What you want is "analog pass through" to DV format over IEEE-1394 to the computer so the result is full 720x480 DV quality.

I can't find an indication that model has that feature. Check your manual for "analog pass through".

If you don't have the feature, you can still dub VHS-C to DV format on Digital8 (Hi8) tape and then play the tape over IEEE-1394 to the computer in DV format. This isn't a bad strategy anyway because you then have backups on video tape.

[edDV]

What sort of software can I use to record the signal as it comes into the PC? Do I just use something standard like VirtualDub or do I need something special since I"m not using a capture card.

Thanks!

There are many choices. Simple and direct is WinDV which captures the DV stream to a DV-AVI file. The DV-AVI file can be input to most editing or DVD authoring programs. Virtualdub will need a Video for Windows DV codec to be installed first.

[Jeremiah58]

Per the manual I can use the "streaming" function to play via my VCR into the Input on th amcorder and then Output the camcorder via the USB port to my PC (I don't have a Firewire port or I could use that too).

What your are going to do is to use AV>DV passthrough function of that camcorder to convert analog signal from VCR to digital to your PC, so you should get a firewire card. It's cheap and easy to install.
As for a software - you could use WinDV.

Edit: Sorry I didn't see that EdDV is on this one. He has explained the thing much better than I could.

[kelemvor]

The manu says it has a feature called:

Capturing images from an analog video unit on your Computer - Signal convert function

which seems to be Analog Passthrough from the way it's described.

And is the USB Transfer that different? I didn't realize that. I guess I'll do a test with USB and see what I get. Otherwise I have to go get a Firewire card from somewhere...

[edDV]

The manu says it has a feature called:

Capturing images from an analog video unit on your Computer - Signal convert function

which seems to be Analog Passthrough from the way it's described.

And is the USB Transfer that different? I didn't realize that. I guess I'll do a test with USB and see what I get. Otherwise I have to go get a Firewire card from somewhere...

Get the firewire card and use that. The USB video is intended for webcam software or net streaming, not quality dubbing. CIF has one field deleted and is shrunk to 352x240. Half the motion resolution is gone.

At least dub your VHS-C to Digital8 tape and then find a computer with IEEE-1394 (aka ILink or Firewire) to make the dub to a DV-AVI file. File size will be 13.5GB/hr. Then use that to make your DVD. Keep the tapes as the high quality backup.