Using Panasonic PV-GS400 To Digitize S-video Out from Sony DCR-TV530

[Dubinvero]

I have a number of 8mm and Hi8 video tapes that I want to digitize to MP4. I have a Sony Digital 8 and a Panasoniv PV-GS400 Camcorder. Both the sony and Panasonic have S-Video connectors.

If I connect the two camcorders via S-Video
1. Will the Sony automatically output to the S-Videocable.
2. Will the Panasonic automatically see the S-Video input if it is set to Camera.
3. Do I need to record to MiniDV tape on the Panasonic for replay to capture the video to my Windows 10 desktop using WinDV.

Will using the 2 camcorders give a superior picture to outputting the Sony to an IODATA GV-USB2 then use OBS to capture to the PC. I like the idea of having an AVI master when using the 2 camcorders.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback on these questions.

Derek

[aedipuss]

i'd go sony to iodata and create the video as a lossless avi if possible. it may be marginally better than going sony to panasonic and creating a DVavi which isn't lossless.

[lordsmurf]

Use VirtualDub, not OBS.

[Alwyn]

Welcome to the age-old conundrum of DV verses analogue capture. They are close enough to comparable quality that it will be up to you to decide which is best. DV is the easiest and some say it is good enough, especially if you are PAL. I've done both and I certainly can't glaring differences either way. DV can be easily processed so don't think that because it is not "lossless", you are screwed re further processing.

You have 3 scenarios to test:

1. TRV530>Firewire>PC (capture with WinDV)

2. TRV530>S-Video>GV-USB2>PC (AmarecTV suggested)

3.Sony>S-Video>GS400>Firewire>PC (capture with WinDV)

You will not be able to capture analogue video from the GS400 on the PC if you are using the S-Video socket for inbound video from the Sony. IOW, you can't do analogue in and out. Normally it's analogue in, Firewire/DV out.

I'd only be using the GS400 as a stabiliser if the Digital 8 played the tapes badly.

Will using the 2 camcorders give a superior picture to outputting the Sony to an IODATA GV-USB2 then use OBS to capture to the PC. I like the idea of having an AVI master when using the 2 camcorders.

Can't be done, as I've said above. If the S-video is being used for IN, it can't be used for OUT; only Firewire OUT.

Also, OBS is no good for AVI capture. It is difficult to set up and I've found it produces flawed AVIs. There's a thread on this here.

OBS high-bitrate MP4 is OK if you have no need to do any other processing (unlikely), but not AVI.

For your questions 1 and 2, best for you to just try them. It's too hard for us unless we have both camcorders.

Also, there's a thread on the GS400 here that you may find interesting.