S-Video to USB ???

[PhillT]

I have a Panasonic AG-EZ1E Digital Video Camera which has AV & S-Video out.

I would like to plug it into my Mac Mini which has Firewire and USB ports.

My first question is, do I need an adaptor cable only, or do I need an adaptor cable with built in capture card?

Next question is, can I get a S-Video to Firewire cable or only a S-Video to USB?

Thanks. Phill.

(Some Relevant Camera specs

Recording format:- Digital Video SD format.

Video recording format:- Digital Component.

Television System:- CCIR, 625 lines, 50 fields PAL colour signal

Output level:- Video Out (phono) 1.0Vp-p, 75 ohm terminated.

Audio recording format:- Digital PCM Stereo, 16 bit (48Khz/2ch) 12 bit (32khz/4ch)

Output cable:- S-video & AV (Red, Yellow, White)

[jagabo]

Doesn't that camcorder have a firewire output? All you need is a firewire cable -- probably like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F3N401-06-ICE-4-Pin-6-Pin-FireWire/dp/B00005NIMR

That will give you an exact copy of the digital video on the tape. Going through s-video would degrade the picture.

[PhillT]

Doesn't that camcorder have a firewire output? All you need is a firewire cable -- probably like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F3N401-06-ICE-4-Pin-6-Pin-FireWire/dp/B00005NIMR

That will give you an exact copy of the digital video on the tape. Going through s-video would degrade the picture.

Unfortunately, as stated in the original post. it has AV & S-Video output only.

It did come with an AV to SCART, but that does not help.

See pic from manual.

camcrder.jpg

[edDV]

Doesn't that camcorder have a firewire output? All you need is a firewire cable -- probably like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F3N401-06-ICE-4-Pin-6-Pin-FireWire/dp/B00005NIMR

That will give you an exact copy of the digital video on the tape. Going through s-video would degrade the picture.

Unfortunately, as stated in the original post. it has AV & S-Video output only.

It did come with an AV to SCART, but that does not help.

See pic from manual.

camcrder.jpg

Give a link to the manual not the S-Video diagram.

So Panasonic sold you the only AG-EZ1E cam without a Firewire (IEEE-1394) port ? Every other has the port.

[tomlee59]

Since your camera does not have a digital output, and your Mac only has digital inputs, you will, of necessity, have to get a capture box. There is no such thing as an analog-to-digital "cable", unfortunately. Circuitry is needed (and lots of it).

[edDV]

It looks like this camcorder might be the only MiniDV ever made without a digital IEEE-1394 port. http://www99.epinions.com/reviews/pr-Panasonic_AG-EZ1_Mini_DV_Camcorder

I'm still dubious but read the manual (AGEZ1.PDF) and still saw no reference to the port. Call Panasonic.

Your main recourse is to dub the tapes from any other MiniDV camcorder over Firewire to the Mac.

What a lame product this is. Panasonic should be ashamed.

[PhillT]

Give a link to the manual not the S-Video diagram.

So Panasonic sold you the only AG-EZ1E cam without a Firewire (IEEE-1394) port ? Every other has the port.

The manual is sitting on my desk. I tired to find one on the Panasonic site and on the web to post a link to, but no success.

Where on the camera is the Firewire socket? I have never seen one and the manual says nothing about it. I'm not sure that Firewire was even available 10 or 11 years ago when I bought this camera.

[PhillT]

Since your camera does not have a digital output, and your Mac only has digital inputs, you will, of necessity, have to get a capture box. There is no such thing as an analog-to-digital "cable", unfortunately. Circuitry is needed (and lots of it).

I'm a bit confused here. This is a Digital camcorder outputting an analog signal?? That seems a bit odd??
Is it not possible to output a Digital signal on S-Vid?

[PhillT]

Since your camera does not have a digital output, and your Mac only has digital inputs, you will, of necessity, have to get a capture box. There is no such thing as an analog-to-digital "cable", unfortunately. Circuitry is needed (and lots of it).

I'm a bit confused here. This is a Digital camcorder outputting an analog signal?? That seems a bit odd??
Is it not possible to output a Digital signal on S-Vid?

Lifted from the link posted:- "" it doesn't have firewire connection cause of it's age,it does have s video, analog, digital rca connections, in and out, simply amazing camera for the price. circa 1997.""

So, is it Digital out in reality?

[edDV]

I had two Sony's from 1998 vintage and both had the Firewire port.

Like I said above, you will need to borrow or rent another MiniDV camcorder with a Firewire port and dub tapes from that. Quality will be superior to any S-Video dub.

Manual is here: http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/AGEZ1.PDF

A Firewire port at the camcorder end will look like this. It is tiny.

[PhillT]

I had two Sony's from 1998 vintage and both had the Firewire port.

Like I said above, you will need to borrow or rent another MiniDV camcorder with a Firewire port and dub tapes from that. Quality will be superior to any S-Video dub.

Manual is here: http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/AGEZ1.PDF

A Firewire port at the camcorder end will look like this. It is tiny.

edDV, Thanks for the link and suggestions.

[PhillT]

I assume that any Mini DV camcorder with Firewire cable will be OK?

It is possible that I can get a Samsung VP_D55 for the right price, so if there are any known issues, please let me know.
For instance, will I need any special software or drivers to interface it with the Firewire port on a MacMini as opposed to PC? (I use Mac)

Thanks for all the advice etc. from all who have replied.

[jagabo]

Is it not possible to output a Digital signal on S-Vid?

S-video and composite video are analog only.

[edDV]

I assume that any Mini DV camcorder with Firewire cable will be OK?

It is possible that I can get a Samsung VP_D55 for the right price, so if there are any known issues, please let me know.
For instance, will I need any special software or drivers to interface it with the Firewire port on a MacMini as opposed to PC? (I use Mac)

Thanks for all the advice etc. from all who have replied.

Any MiniDV camcorder should work. No drivers required.

The only playback issues happen at LP speed. SP speed should be compatible.

[PhillT]

I assume that any Mini DV camcorder with Firewire cable will be OK?

It is possible that I can get a Samsung VP_D55 for the right price, so if there are any known issues, please let me know.
For instance, will I need any special software or drivers to interface it with the Firewire port on a MacMini as opposed to PC? (I use Mac)

Thanks for all the advice etc. from all who have replied.

Any MiniDV camcorder should work. No drivers required.

The only playback issues happen at LP speed. SP speed should be compatible.

Thanks edDV. That looks like the best option for me.