Trouble Capturing A To D Converted Video

[JDK1]

I’ve got an old analogue Sony camcorder hooked up to a newer DV camcorder which is successfully converting the analogue tape to a digital signal. I've connected the DV camcorder to my computer and I’m trying to capture the newly converted digital images using the Capture Video software. The converted video is displayed in the Capture Video window but the software keeps trying to capture from the DV camcorder tape (which is not what I want to do). If I remove the tape the capture buttons are greyed out and there is no way to capture. Is there a way to capture the output directly from the camcorder and bypass the tape? Or do I have to first record the converted images to DV tape and then go from DV tape to computer?

[malatekid]

Try this:

• Eject and remove the tape from the DV camcorder
• Set the DV camcorder to play recorded video (usually labeled VTR or VCR on a DV camcorder)
• Set the analog camcorder to play
• Capture the video

[grandpabruce]

I’ve got an old analogue Sony camcorder hooked up to a newer DV camcorder which is successfully converting the analogue tape to a digital signal. I've connected the DV camcorder to my computer and I’m trying to capture the newly converted digital images using the Capture Video software. The converted video is displayed in the Capture Video window but the software keeps trying to capture from the DV camcorder tape (which is not what I want to do). If I remove the tape the capture buttons are greyed out and there is no way to capture. Is there a way to capture the output directly from the camcorder and bypass the tape? Or do I have to first record the converted images to DV tape and then go from DV tape to computer?

 

It can be tricky to do. I haven't had to do the pass through, but I think you have to set both the analog and the digital camcorders to play, and once you start to capture, stop the digital camcorder, and it should continue capturing the analog video.

 

Now, I may have something wrong here, but I know that there are others, who have done the pass through, who will stop in and offer more advice, if I am wrong.

 

Edit: I see Malatekid posted, while I was thinking.

 

BTW, the digital camcorder has to be connected to the computer via firewire.

[JDK1]

Try this:

• Eject and remove the tape from the DV camcorder
• Set the DV camcorder to play recorded video (usually labeled VTR or VCR on a DV camcorder)
• Set the analog camcorder to play
• Capture the video

 

Thank you. What you have suggested is what I have been doing. If the tape is ejected from the DV camcorder, Roxio video cature does not permit capture (all buttons are greyed out). With a (blank) tape in the DV camcorder, the buttons are no longer grey but then capture is attempted from the DV camcorder tape even though the newly converted digital image (from the analogue device) is showing in the Video Capture window. The problem seems to be with the Roxio video capture software which appears to require a tape to read from. With the same camcorder connections as above (in my first post) and as you have suggested, I am able to capture the video using Windows Media Player but then the file format is .wmv and not .avi

[malatekid]

Give grandpabruce's suggestion a try.

[bimicher]

Thank you. What you have suggested is what I have been doing. If the tape is ejected from the DV camcorder, Roxio video cature does not permit capture (all buttons are greyed out). With a (blank) tape in the DV camcorder, the buttons are no longer grey but then capture is attempted from the DV camcorder tape even though the newly converted digital image (from the analogue device) is showing in the Video Capture window. The problem seems to be with the Roxio video capture software which appears to require a tape to read from. With the same camcorder connections as above (in my first post) and as you have suggested, I am able to capture the video using Windows Media Player but then the file format is .wmv and not .avi

 

I also have Sony camcorder and have had no problems using the pass-through-mode to capture analog video using my digital camocrder. I did find that you have to have a tape in the digital camcorder to be able to capture from the analog camcorder. If I remember correctly, after starting the capturing process, I hit the Stop button on the digital camcorder and the capture from the analog worked fine

[JDK1]

It can be tricky to do. I haven't had to do the pass through, but I think you have to set both the analog and the digital camcorders to play, and once you start to capture, stop the digital camcorder, and it should continue capturing the analog video.

 

Now, I may have something wrong here, but I know that there are others, who have done the pass through, who will stop in and offer more advice, if I am wrong.

 

Edit: I see Malatekid posted, while I was thinking.

 

BTW, the digital camcorder has to be connected to the computer via firewire.

 

It is tricky ... and I can't seem to get it work. I can capture a few seconds worth of video until the video capture software starts trying to read the DV tape. Pressing stop on the DV camcorder doesn't work as it triggers the video capture software to stop.

 

Perhaps you can explain the difference between wmv and avi files? I've been under the assumption that avi format is "better" hence my persistence with the Roxio Video Capture software, but if not, then I might as well capture the video through Windows Media Player. Does it really matter whether I capture in avi or wmv format? Thanks again for your help. JDK1

[ggrussell]

I am able to capture the video using Windows Media Player but then the file format is .wmv and not .avi

I'm sure you meant, Windows Movie Maker. And yes, it can also output as DV AVI. You just have to choose advanced and look through the Drop Down list of File types.

 

 

I have always been able to use pass-thru on my older Sony TRV740 digital 8mm as described here. Pressing the STOP button physically on the camcorder does not stop Media Import capturing which would then allow the analog to 'pass-thru' the firewire. I haven't tried with EMC 10 lately, but it did work fine with earlier versions.

[bimicher]

It is tricky ... and I can't seem to get it work. I can capture a few seconds worth of video until the video capture software starts trying to read the DV tape. Pressing stop on the DV camcorder doesn't work as it triggers the video capture software to stop.

 

Perhaps you can explain the difference between wmv and avi files? I've been under the assumption that avi format is "better" hence my persistence with the Roxio Video Capture software, but if not, then I might as well capture the video through Windows Media Player. Does it really matter whether I capture in avi or wmv format? Thanks again for your help. JDK1

 

avi is a higher quality format than wmv since it is much less compressed. I would think you should be able to capture to avi using WMP.

 

What is the make/model of your Sondy digital camcorder? I assume you have no problem capturing straight from the digital camcorder.

[JDK1]

I also have Sony camcorder and have had no problems using the pass-through-mode to capture analog video using my digital camocrder. I did find that you have to have a tape in the digital camcorder to be able to capture from the analog camcorder. If I remember correctly, after starting the capturing process, I hit the Stop button on the digital camcorder and the capture from the analog worked fine

 

 

When I click the video capture button on the computer it starts to capture a few seconds worth of video until the video capture software tries to start recording from the DV camcorder. Pressing stop on the DV camcorder brings up the analogue video on the computer screen again, but the video capture has also stopped. Go figure.

 

avi is a higher quality format than wmv since it is much less compressed. I would think you should be able to capture to avi using WMP.

 

What is the make/model of your Sondy digital camcorder? I assume you have no problem capturing straight from the digital camcorder.

 

Thank you. The Sony digital camcorder is a DCR-TRV17 NTSC. And you are correct; I have no problem with capture from the DV camcorder to the computer.

[bimicher]

When I click the video capture button on the computer it starts to capture a few seconds worth of video until the video capture software tries to start recording from the DV camcorder. Pressing stop on the DV camcorder brings up the analogue video on the computer screen again, but the video capture has also stopped. Go figure.

 

 

 

Thank you. The Sony digital camcorder is a DCR-TRV17 NTSC. And you are correct; I have no problem with capture from the DV camcorder to the computer.

 

What does your manual say about using your digital camcorder for pass-thru-capturing? There may be some setting you have to change so that the camcorder can output analog signals in digital format. I seem to remeber I have to set it to DV Out on one of the menus.

[JDK1]

I'm sure you meant, Windows Movie Maker. And yes, it can also output as DV AVI. You just have to choose advanced and look through the Drop Down list of File types.

 

 

I have always been able to use pass-thru on my older Sony TRV740 digital 8mm as described here. Pressing the STOP button physically on the camcorder does not stop Media Import capturing which would then allow the analog to 'pass-thru' the firewire. I haven't tried with EMC 10 lately, but it did work fine with earlier versions.

 

 

Yes, I meant WMM not WMP. I'll use WMM to capture in avi format. Many thanks for taking the time to help out.

[JDK1]

What does your manual say about using your digital camcorder for pass-thru-capturing? There may be some setting you have to change so that the camcorder can output analog signals in digital format. I seem to remeber I have to set it to DV Out on one of the menus.

 

You are right. In order to convert images from A to D the menu setting for A/V-->OUT has to be on ON (which is is/has been). Maybe it is version 10 that has chnaged ... maybe it is me. But in any case, I have given up on the Roxio capture software and am using WMM. Thanks to you and everyone else for being so responsive and helpful. JDK1

[ggrussell]

Capture using WMM

Click SAVE TO MY COMPUTER

Seledct file name and folder

Click NEXT

In the next dialog box click SHOW MORE CHOICES

Choose OTHER SETTINGS and select DV AVI in that list