Analog --> Camcorder --> Computer

[yoshi1668]

I heard about this before. My camcorder has this function that allow Analog In/DV Out. However, it's not clear how can we capture this converted DV signal into the computer. All the software that I used only has the option to capture DV from the DV tape of the camcorder. Anybody has this experience??

[yg1968]

I have the same camcorder. On the Sony TRV-25, you must enable DV out on the camcorder's menu. You must take the tape out of your camcorder. You must also use a firewire cable (not the USB cable). You can use DVIO in the tools section or windows Movie Maker to capture the DV.

[MpegEncoder]

I think DVIO is the best way. It allows for type-1 or type-2 DV captures. Type-2 is needed, for example, if you want to extract the audio with Vdub.

Plus DVIO is small and fast.

[yoshi1668]

Thanks. But why can't the regular DV capture program can't do this. ALso, what kind of resolution can we get using the DVIO program.

[yoshi1668]

One more question. I check out the DVIO program. It seems good for WIndow 2000 and up. For Window 98, there's 2 GB file limitation. How will this program handle it.

[MpegEncoder]

Thanks. But why can't the regular DV capture program can't do this. ALso, what kind of resolution can we get using the DVIO program.

What is "the regular DV capture program"?

DV capture is 720x480

[MpegEncoder]

One more question. I check out the DVIO program. It seems good for WIndow 2000 and up. For Window 98, there's 2 GB file limitation. How will this program handle it.

I don't think that it handles the 2GB limit. Don't forget that programs that capture to type-1 DV files have a 4GB limit regardless of the operating system. That's another reason that type-2 is desirable.

[yoshi1668]

I try using Pixela Image Mixer and Arcsoft ShowBiz. Both of these DV capture program handle the DV capture pretty well from DV tape to computer.

It's when I try this analog in/DV out arrangement that both of them don't work. For Pixela Imager Mixer, it does not recognize the video at all. For the Arcsoft Showbiz, I can see the video on the monitor, but I can't record it. It tryies to look for the DV tape.

As far as the DVIO, correct me if I'm wrong. In Window 98 environment, for Type 2 video, it can only go up to 2GB right?

[yg1968]

Yushi,

Some programs work with the passthrough feature. Some don't. DVIO or Windows Movie maker works with the passthrough feature. Windows Movie Maker splits the files into separate files.

MpegEncoder,

If you have Windows XP, type 1 DV files can surpass the 4 gig limitation.

[MpegEncoder]

Windows 98 definitely has a 2BG filesize limit (not just AVI files). I'm using Windows XP. For anyone doing serious video or audio work on a PC, I recommend either XP or 2K.

Also, those DV capture programs that "get around" the 2GB limit actually create multiple files. That can be a hassle unless it's integrated into your video editing.

[jra111]

What is and where do you get DVIO?

[WienieMan]

If you aren't planning to capture all the time I suggest you download the adobe Premiere 6 demo and capture away for like 30 days. It's a very good program to capture with no file limit, but it's just like 30 days though, so it would be temporary.

[yg1968]

DVIO can be found here:

http://www.carr-engineering.com/dvio.htm

But like I said you should also try to use Windows Movie Maker.

Some people suggest ScenAnalyser Live for capturing under Windows 98 or ME.

[jra111]

I tried windows movie maker but it only capture avi in 720x480 which I heard was a waste . Maybe I will try it hor my self. I did use it for capturing wmv's for email with the analog pass through and it worked great. Is windows movie maker alot better?

[yg1968]

If you are importing DV, you have no choice but to capture at 720x480 because that is the DV resolution that your digital camcorder uses. If you are not using DV, this whole thread is not really relevant to your situation. Anyways, assuming you are, any programs that works with the passthrough feature will work just the same in terms of quality. However, Windows Movie Maker allows you to capture multiple files, DVIO doesn't. It also allows you to set the amount of time that you want to capture. You should try them both and see which one that you like. If you use Windows Movie Maker, make sure that it captures in DV (avi).

The main advantage of DVIO is that also allows you to capture in DV avi type 2. This is necessary for certain programs (for example, Premiere). I personally always use DV type 1.

[TheInformer]

ScenalyzerLive segments its captures, so you can capture more than 4GB in one session.