wired case of mini dv capture too dark

[devdev]

hello

im capturing vhs footage onto my mini dv camcorder (cassette) using a dv in facility and an advc convertor. when i see it on camcordr screen or play it back via tv it look fine but when i then try to transfer it onto dvd recorder, it looks dark. woudl anyone have an idea as to why this would be?

[filmboss80]

Your title in this thread seems to indicate that you think the problem is with the minidv device. But your source is a VHS tape. By chance, would this be a commercially-made VHS with copy protection?

[edDV]

hello

im capturing vhs footage onto my mini dv camcorder (cassette) using a dv in facility and an advc convertor. when i see it on camcordr screen or play it back via tv it look fine but when i then try to transfer it onto dvd recorder, it looks dark. woudl anyone have an idea as to why this would be?

I don't understand your connections.

VCR->DV Camcorder->????>DVD recorder
where does the ADVC get used?

or
VCR->ADVC->Firewire>DVD recorder

Most DVD recorders only work with camcorder protocol not with the continous firewire feed from the ADVC.

[devdev]

hi and thanks

my connections for capture
VCR->ADVC->Firewire>Mini DV Camcorder using DV in

in addtion to the mini dv tape, clients also want a copy on dvd and thats where problems arise when i try to capture the mini dv tape via my dvd recorder using firewire. this is teh stage where the dvd recorder both sees and records it too dark compared to the version captured on the mini dv tape.

and no - the vhs is not a commercial one with copy protection. picture is fine - just too dark!

cheers

[edDV]

hi and thanks

my connections for capture
VCR->ADVC->Firewire>Mini DV Camcorder using DV in

in addtion to the mini dv tape, clients also want a copy on dvd and thats where problems arise when i try to capture the mini dv tape via my dvd recorder using firewire. this is teh stage where the dvd recorder both sees and records it too dark compared to the version captured on the mini dv tape.

and no - the vhs is not a commercial one with copy protection. picture is fine - just too dark!

cheers

Let me try to deconstruct the issues. We are talking PAL only here? NTSC has issues with setup.

1. You are in the UK where analog inputs to DV camcorders were mostly taxed out of existance. Is this the case? Your camcorder has no analog input? Otherwise one would capture direct from analog to the DV camcorder. In PAL models this should result in correct levels. Uncorrected NTSC analog capture would place black high at digital level 32 rather than correct 16.

2. The ADVC has dip switches on the bottom or back. Correct setting for PAL is 0 IRE. Correct setting for NTSC is 7.5 IRE. The 7.5 IRE setting for NTSC results in a correct digital 16 black level.

3. Some DVD recorders also have input IRE or "black level" record menu adjustments. Some also have these settings on the playback side. If the DV tape looks correct but the DVD is dark, I'd suspect DVD recorder settings.

[devdev]

to start with -

yes aware that im lucky to still have a camcorder with dv in but it has no analogue in. in fact i wasnt aware that they were available!

settings on advc 100 match your setings - just checked it - cheers

i've now checked dvd black level record adjustments. im using a pioneer dvr 320 and in the section called 'video/audio adjust, the memory settings has two section that may refer to what you say. For 'black levels', its set neutrally in the centre in other section called black setup, its on 7.5 ire. but on another machine that i have it was set at 0..

gonna redo immediately and see what result is

thanks again