-
Just got a Sony DXC-D30 and…
I have recently purchased two used Sony DXC-D30’s from a local camera store. And a third camera being the PVW-D30 (but, I got it just for the attachments). I am totally confused about how to use this thing. I don’t see a port for a firewire cord or anything remotely similar to any other camera I have. I currently shoot with a Panasonic Omnimovie VHS camcorder that I convert all my footage onto PC and then edit. I’m trying to do something similar with this DXC-D30.
Essentially, I’m trying to use these cameras to make short films on my computer. Anything such as a USB connection? Or, do I have to run this thing through my BVP4-Plus or some other “middle-man” type of hardware?
Do they make a CCU to PC adapter.. or is there no way of avoiding to buy a vintage Camera Control Unit? Something like CA-TX50 to USB adapter. I’m Googling all kinds of stuff but its as if it knows nothing about of this stuff… hardly anything.
I guess maybe I should find out how to get image onto monitor then use BVP4-Plus to adjust, then just some capture card on PC.
Thanks all. Any other info on these now scarce cameras would greatly be appreciated.
-
7 Replies
-
There aren’t any digital outputs available on this camera. No USB or Firewire outputs. It’s too old a product to include these features. From the camera head itself, your only choice is regular, old fashioned composite video. There are various backs that can be attached to the camera that will allow you to pull component analog video from the camera head. You could then take the component signals and go into an external device or card such as those from AJA or Blackmagic which would then digitize the signal and allow it to be “recorded” into a computer. This would give you the best quality possible from this camera. Do you have a record deck of some sort on these cameras? A DSR-1 back would allow you to record in the DVCAM format. Although it’s only 25mb/sec, it is digital and is easy to capture into a computer system. Otherwise, how were you planning to capture the footage from the camera?
Not my monkeys. Not my circus.
-
BTW, check here for a look at the original DXC-D30 sales brochure from Sony. It should provide some answers.
https://viewpoint.tv/sites/default/files/sony_dxc-d30.pdf
Not my monkeys. Not my circus.
-
Appreciate the reply, Tom.
Unfortunately, I do not have a DVCAM back only 2 DV backs and 1 Betacam SP back. I do not have a DSR1 back. I think I may get a VHS back since I primarily shoot with VHS anyways on my other cameras and already have an effective way to get footage onto PC.
I was looking into getting the video off in other ways. One way I found was to buy one such adapter (BNC to RCA, https://www.amazon.com/RiteAV-BNC-Male-Female-Adapter/dp/B000V1R97U) and just use a capture card on my PC (or something like EasyCap). Do you think this would affect quality?
As far as composite video, as you mentioned, I am not entirely sure what this is. I was born in 93′, studied computer science and neglected technology before my time… until now. Please elaborate on “AJA” and “Blackmagic” – – are they cables or systems, docks or converters? I’m totally confused, thanks.
-
Composite video is the lowest quality video still in use although it was pretty much the ONLY format for many years. As video progressed, higher quality methods of delivering video came along. RGB or YUV (a different color format) video came along when color was developed. RGB was first and the YUV format came along later. S-Video or Y-C video was next but was mostly used in consumer equipment although it did make it’s way to broadcasting. After that came digital formats like DVCAM, Digibeta, and the “D” formats-D1, D2, D3 and D5. All of these were broadcast quality formats. After that, the Hi-Definition formats came online and continue to expand today into 2K, 4k and even higher resolution formats.
For what it’s worth, your VHS format is probably the lowest quality format you can use. Even if it’s S-VHS, its pretty low resolution. If you have a DV back for your D-30’s, it will give you a much better than VHS quality. DV and DVCAM as well as DVCPro are all 25 mb/second formats and far better quality than VHS. If you have a DV back then use it instead of your VHS camera and you will see a marked improvement in your video.
Blackmagic and AJA are both manufacturers of cards and hardware that will allow you to convert your analog video into a digital format to use for editing on your computer. There are MANY other makes and models of cards that will allow you to digitize your video. Many of them are pretty inexpensive and are readily available used as well. Start with the best quality possible. As it goes through the process of editing, the quality will only drop with with step unless it’s uncompressed digital from beginning to end.Not my monkeys. Not my circus.
-
What hardware do you recommend I purchase to get the highest quality video/audio out of these cameras?
-
What do you have with the cameras? Do you have any backs on them or just the flat end with the multi-pin connector?
Not my monkeys. Not my circus.
-
I’m not positive I understand, so here’s a few pictures . . .
https://postimg.org/image/lf9yvoa7p/
https://postimg.org/image/g2l4hjmb9/
https://postimg.org/image/55jssrzjp/A few random questions – –
Is this what I could use to view the output on a monitor? https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-ft-Belden-1694A-75-Ohm-Cable-w-Canare-RCAP-C53-Gold-RCA-to-BNC-/121088529301?hash=item1c31705395:g:Z10AAMXQySpRV6JCAre these the correct mount adapters if I were to use SLR lenses, etc on this old thing? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lens-Mount-Adapters/ci/12013/N/4028759365
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up