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Is it possible to use a camera to convert analog to digital?
I have a Canon GL1 and I tried running the VHS deck to the RCA cables to the GL1 then through to the Computer via Firewire but it doesn’t work. Whenever I plug the firewire in the signal from the RCA is instantly gone. I heard you could use Sony cameras to convert Analog to Digital but it doesn’t work with my GL1 also (I know you are supposed to use the “none controllable device” capture setting in FCP).
What I want is to go direct capture from my VHS deck to my camera to my computer without recording to minidv first.
Any help with this would be great!
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8 Replies
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The GL1 cannot act as a DV bridge. I have one and have tried.
That is why I bought a Canopus ADVC-100. But now I have a DSR-11 deck and route thru that. Sold the Canopus.
Shane
Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net -
yeah Iknow you can buy a bridge but I was wondering if a camera could do it? I may just buy a small mini dv camera if sony’s will work as a bridge
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You can do this with the PD 170. Several years ago I had a GL1 I tried to do something along those lines, but can’t remember if it worked or not (as I wasn’t as savy then), but think I got it to work for a vhs player, but not a DVD. Check your manual, it should have information on doing this. You could also just go through the menu items and see if there is one for handling DV (eg, dv in/out or lcd). It might also be a case where you need to have a tape in your camera in play mode, then having the unit in the record/paused mode for it to work.
Worse comes to worse, record the vhs to the GL1, then capture it. You could also do a google search “canon+GL1+forum+analog+digital” or some variation of that.
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It’s definitely possible and I’ve done it with my Sony pd-150 many times. Are you saying you can see the analog signal in the GL1s monitor but it goes blank when you plug in the firewire cord?
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Some cameras just won’t work for what you are trying to do. I have an old Sony TRV-900 that will do the same thing. As soom as you plug in a Firewire cable into the camera, it automatically switches it’s input to the Firewire port. Unplug the cable, and it will revert to the analog input. It’s automatic and not a menu item on this camera. I’m not sure about the Canon, but it might work the same way. Why not just dub your VHS to a Mini DV tape and capture it off of the tape. You will get he added advantage of having time code on the footage as well. It comes in handy if you ever need to go back and revise the video later.
Tom -
Thanks for the help guys. Do you know of any low end cameras that will convert the analog to digital. I found out it doesn’t work on a GL1. I have to capture a lot of analog footage so recording to MiniDv wouldn’t work.
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Can’t recommend a video camera, you could just go to Best Buy or Circuit City and check them out and look at the manuals before buying.
How much analog video are you capturing and/or are you capturing just specific sections of VHS tapes? Remember MiniDV takes up about 13 Gigs per hour. If you captured to miniDV first, you would then have device control and be able to set in and out points (cuts down on the possibility of sync slippage issues).
Another option. Pick up a analog/digital converter (Canopus makes some good ones, and they run around 200 or so for their lower end converters). Higher end converts would add options such as noise reduction, time base correction and audio lock, which will improve the quality of your transfers. B&H Photo Video carries converters at reasonable prices.
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hi, i have a Sony pd150 and yes, its screen turns blue as soon as i connect the fw cable… could you solve the problem? thx!
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