Raw stream from DV Camcorder

[roser137]

Hi.

I have a standart old panasonic dv camcorder and 3 hdv tapes which are recorded by modern HDV camera. Obviously they can't be played by panasonic standart dv device but my question is, is it possible to get contents from that tape as raw format with a firewire cable then decode it in PC ? As far as I know HDV is special encoded digital format so if I can get original raw stream from HDV tape without decoding it, it might be decoded in PC ? Is this possible ?

edit: by raw format I mean binary format that is on DV tape, not raw avi

[Cornucopia]

The firewire protocol is the same, but the ordering of the data in the stream is quite different (besides it being different data). You would need a camcorder that understands the format that is stored on the tape, the ability to read it off the tape, and the ability to order it for firewire transfer. AKA you would need an HDV cam.

Scott

[roser137]

Thanks for answer. I understand the issue clearly now. One more question, Is HDV a true standart ? I don't know which recorder is used for recording tape. Will any hdv cam decode it ? Is there anything else to consider like brand of the cam or NTSC/PAL compatibility ?

[aedipuss]

HDV is a standard but there are variations used by different video cameras. there is 1080i 25 and 30, 1080p 25 and 30 and 2 versions of 1080p24. also rarely seen other than on jvc cams 720p @24,25,30 and 60fps

[roser137]

HDV is a standard but there are variations used by different video cameras. there is 1080i 25 and 30, 1080p 25 and 30 and 2 versions of 1080p24. also rarely seen other than on jvc cams 720p @24,25,30 and 60fps

Thanks for answer. If I get a random HDV cam, can I decode most of these or should I find a cam with the exact same brand, resolution, fps as the recorded one. I am not sure which camera is used to record the video so it would be hard for me if that is the case

[aedipuss]

there aren't any HDV consumer cams being made anymore so your choices will be limited to what's available used anyway. you might want to send the tapes to a video house for capture since you only have 3. or if you want to buy an HDV cam the most popular were probably the canon HV series. the HV40 would cover most hdv types. if you think they might have been recorded by a pro especially if it was sports then a JVC cam that handles 720p might be in order.

[roser137]

Thanks for your help. I guess my best change is to look for a video house.