VS9 doesn't want to capture the data code from the camera

[ranis]

I am trying to capture my video from my Sony Trv230 Camcorder on to the PC using Video Studio 9.

The data code shown on camera LCD won't come out on the monitor.

I disconnect the camera from the PC and connect it to regular TV using regular composite cable and the data code (date, time, seconds) is right there (i can remove it if i press a button on the camera remote control).

However when I connect the camera to the PC with the Firewire connection the Video Studio refuses to capture the data code. I see it on the camera LCD but VS9 doesn't capture it. It seems it's not my camera fault. Any idea how to set up Video Studio to capture data code through the Firewire type connection? Thank you.

[PeterMilliken]

It sounds very much as though the display of "data code" (I assume you mean the date/time that the video sequence was shot) is a function of your camera and the camera is actually extracting the information from the tape and "overlaying" it on the LCD and video output to the TV. Note that the TV output is not the same as the firewire output, so the camera can't (and you wouldn't want it!) overlay the data on that stream. The avi file format (firewire stream) contains the date/time screen information - see below on warning regarding capturing in mpeg2 format!

Having said that, VS 9 has an option where you can display the date/time the footage was shot in the preview screen (File ->Preferences -> "Display DV timecode on Preview Window" tick box, bottom of the dialog page).

Note that this information is NOT rendered into your resulting video, if you want to display the date/time on the final DVD you must manually put it into your video using the titling feature of VS 9.

So in summary, "data" display is a function of your camera overlaying the information onto the video signal and this information is already embedded in the avi capture (if you capture in mpeg2 then the file format does not allow date/time and it is stripped out! so beware).

Peter

[THoff]

Videostudio will capture exactly the same information that the camcorder records to tape.

Usually, the camcorder information (zoom level, battery status, audio options, time and date etc.) that are displayed on the LCD aren't part of that, just like the infromation from the OSD (On Screen Display) of a VCR doesn't get recorded on tape.

As Peter pointed out, a MiniDV camcorder will record a timecode with every frame of video, and this can be displayed in Videostudio. There are also some free programs like DVDate that can overlay the timecode on top of the video, but once it's part of the video itself, it isn't easily removed.

[ranis]

I capture in DV format, then I edit (cut out some parts) and my final video after rendering is mpeg2 - DVD quality. I need the time code (the date, hour, minute, second) from my DV tape (it's not the mini format actually) on my final video, but from your comments I understand there's no way to do that. I will try the free program as a final option. Thank you both very much!

[PeterMilliken]

If you captured in DV format then the date/time code should be present and viewable in the preview window (turn on the option as indicated in my previous message).

Using this, you can then overlay the video with a title screen that contains the date/time (just create your title text with the date/time information that you see on the preview screen and then position the text as you want on the screen). As you say, once you have produced your output video file (mpeg2) then the date/time data is nolonger present but you would still have the original input files which would contain the date/time.

I am assuming that what you want is a brief display of the date/time in one corner of the screen for a brief (3 seconds ?) period of time - you can do this using VS 9's titling feature. If you use an external program then as THoff states, they embedd the information in the video file and it becomes extremely difficult to remove it - whereas a title screen is very easy to delete/modify


Peter

[ranis]

Well, I simply wanted a permanent time stamp on my final video. I mean a small counter at the bottom of the screen showing the date and underneath the time progression hh:mm:ss for as long as the video runs. (As you can see it when they broadcast amateur video in the news).

I can do my own title but it's not the same as having a counter. Also my goal was to have the counter on the mpeg2 final video, not on the original huge DV file. The program suggested by THoff embeds the time code in the DV video just fine and seems to be the only way to go so far (if I use it first, then go on with rendering in VS9). I tested it with 5 second clip. I doubt it will handle a 45 minute long 9 GB DV file but we will see. I very much appreciate your info which saved me quite some time figuring it out by trial and error.

[skier-hughes]

Only preoblem with embedding the date and time is it will continually jump when you make an edit and cut parts out - not to mention go forwards or backwards if you slot a later recorded piece into an earlier slot.

When watching a movie this will be very disconcerting.

[ggrussell]

so the camera can't (and you wouldn't want it!) overlay the data on that stream.

Yes, there are plenty of people who would like the date/time ON THE VIDEO. I am dumb founded that the industry decided that the consumer no longer wanted this feature at all. They could at least given us a choice to turn it on or off like on previous camcorders.

The best example is taping COURT EVIDENCE. Digital camcorders can NOT be used for this very reason. ANY date/time added after the fact is not admissable in court.

I like using DVDate. Nice little app that does more than just date/time.