capturing VCR through camcorder directly

[woodie]

I got a question for you capture gurus. Does anyone know if it possible to capture video from a VCR without a TV capture card but rather using an appropriate (proper inputs) DV Camcorder via a Firewire cable as the capture device. If so does it require special software and is there a 'How to" someone can direct me to. Really appreciate any help. Been hoping to be able to do this for months !!

[ktnwin]

Yes, as a matter of facts, this is how I capture VHS tapes into my PC.
I have a Sony digital 8 camcorder, with Firewire connection to my PC.
Obviously , with this , capturing from Digital 8 (and Hi8 ) tapes to my PC is very straightforward.

To capture from VHS tape, this is what I do:

VCR ->>>>>> Dig8 camcorder >>>>>> PC
(AV out)..............(AV in)............Firewire

The Sony camcorder has a menu item called "AV to DV out", I have to turn ON this item first.

To start capturing, I simply press PLAY on the VCR then press "Capture" button in my capturing software.
The Sony camcorder converts analog audio/video to DV format.

NO AUDIO SYNC - NO FRAME LOSS - etc....

My PC does not even have to be high speed (a Pentium 2 - 266Mhz will do)

Hope this helps all with a digical camcorder.

[kyemeng]

ktnwin,
How is the quality of the capture. The reason I am asking is that I have a analog Sony 8 videocam and am in 2 minds whether to get a digital Hi-8 Sony or a Sony mini DV.

[noname]

How is the quality of the capture.

I also use a DV Cam for my VHS -> PC Conversion, and I must say, the quality is superb.
I use Windows Movie Maker (Hey, this is a good M$ proggie) withe the DV Cam 25MBit avi setting, so the audio and video both are superb with no dropped frames and no out of sync problems. The only drawback is that you have to have a moderate sized HDD with the NTFS File format in order to do this. I use a P4 1.8 with an 80giger.
I then encode and XVCD with TMPEnce at a bitrate of 2200 and audio at 48000Hz 224bit (audio must be at 48000hz because there will be a slight destortion if not) and I can overburn with Nero for about 42 minutes of awsome quality video per disc. I know thats not much time, but once you see the quality, its well worth it.

[woodie]

Hi Kntwin, Thanks for the info. It's exactly what I want to do. Only thing is my menu doesn't have AV to DV feature as far as I can see. I have a Sony Digital 8 TRV 103 about 3 years old. What is your DC? Probably only newer ones have that feature. That is why I think there is a program that bipasses the camera. I think it is PowerVCR. Any one heard of this. Really appreciate the feedback by the way. I knew it could be done.

Thanx again
Woodie :P

[ktnwin]

My Sony is a Digital 8 model 520 (newer I guess).
The capture quality is superb, absolutely no problem whasoever.
One more piece of info is after capturing and editing the AVI file, I can also use the similar setup to output the edited movie back to the VCR (I have to move the RCA cables to the audio/video IN of the VCR first.
The Digcamcorder does the conversion between digital and analog.
This is very useful if you want to make multiple VHS tape from the samed edited AVI file.

[Agent 0008]

ktnwin I always thought it could be done, I just never wanted to disconnect all my gear to drag it into the computer to do it!!

Using a Sony digital 720!!

does radio shack have really long cables??