Oh dear

[tonyjer]

Hi Everyone

Can I ask two simple questions relating to converting analogue video to digital?

I have linked my VCR to my Canon DV Camcorder, which is in turn linked to my PC via the Firewire connection.

My Camcorder manual (and many articles on the internet) confirm that it is possible to convert signals in this way using the DV Camcorder as the converter.

I have followed all relevant instructions including switching on the AV-DV converter on the Camcorder and am also connecting the VHS recorder using a Scart connector with Input capability.

To cut a long story it didn’t work!

I am not naïve and have been video editing and burning DVDs from the Camcorder for some time but this is the first time I have attempted to transfer VHS tape to digital.

Can someone help me by clarifying?

1. When people refer to a Scart connector with “input” capabilities do they mean input back to the Camcorder? (Even though the Scart is connected to the VCR) I guess this is so since most folk just copy DV to their VCR and to do this all you need is Output capability.
2. When you activate the video editing software on the PC would this situation be regarded as a DV source or an analogues source? (Starts with VCR but then converted by the DV Camcorder)
3. I have a capture card and Firewire, which is all I have ever needed in the past. Do I now need a video card to accommodate this process?
4. Would it be easier just to transfer to a blank DV and then use that to play back to the PC?

Sorry so long but wanted to cover all eventualities to avoid bothering people again.

Many many thanks

Antonio y Anna

[BrianCee]

1) A scart which is wired 'IN' means from the camcorder/signal source into the VCR (or TV) - if you are trying to use the scart adapter which came with your camcorder it will not work as the RCA/phono connections on the back of that are wired to the IN (to VCR) pins of the scart - you need a dedicated 'OUT' scart , or a switched in/out adapter or a scart connector with leads having six wires so that you can use the three 'OUT' connections. If your camcorder is properly connected and receiving a signal from your VCR it should first display on the camcorder LCD screen.

2) Since as far as your PC is concerned the input from your camera is via firewire then it is a digital signal and all settings in UVS should be set for Digital capture.

3) No if you have a firewire card and firewire connection you do not need any additional cards.

4) Wouldn't think so no - once you get it working transfer via your camera is a very simple process - only consider going via DVD as a last resort.


Many of us just come here every day so that others can bother us - ask as many questions as you like - usually somebody , somewhere in the world has an answer - its just that sometimes you may have to wait for the world to turn a couple of times before everyone gets to see your problem..

[rwindeyer]

To cut a long story it didn’t work!

To answer a question with a question - what happened??

I have done this many times. My (Sony) camcorder has RCA connectors; 3 plugs on one end and a pin-type connection on the other. The pin connection goes into the camera, the 3 connectors go into either the input or output of a VCR. The camera is smart enough to work out whether the signal is coming or going.

One common pitfall when doing this: there should not be a tape in the camcorder. When you click capture in VS8, the command is passed to the camera, which will run the tape, and you will then see (and capture) what is on the tape. If there is no tape in, this cannot happen - you see and capture what is being fed in from the VHS source.

[tonyjer]

Thanks for your great easily explained advice.

Just for your information I am not using the Scart which comes with the VCR. Nor am I using the Scart which came with the Camcorder.(as the manual said that it only had output capacity and I needed one with input capacity as well) This is what caused the in, out shake it all about question.

I wnet to my local store and bought a Scart adaptor block and plugged the 3 coloured cables in to the appropriate sockets and plugged the other end into the AV socket in the Camcorder. The Scart block has an input/output selector and I deliberately selected input.

I also removed the tape from the Camcorder.

The problem is that when you play the video nothing appears on the Camcorder screen and nothing appeared on the UVS8 screen.

Should I use the output setting on the Scart?

Was I right in altering the AV-DV setting on the Camcorder to "ON"?

Many many thanks

TJ

[BrianCee]

YES you must set the selector on the scart adapter to OUT - that means out of the VCR and in to the camera.

[kebrinton]

One thing more:

I have both a little JVC digital camcorder which is used for travel because of its size. I also have an older (but very honorable and good) Sony D8 camcorder which I bought for its "pass-thru" feature and so as to be able to digitize my many old analog Hi8 videotapes.

The most recent time I tried to capture material from a VHS videotape, using the JVC for pass-thru, the image and controls would not appear on my computer screen. I tried over and over with various settings. This same camcorder works fine on its own.

Then I unplugged it, and traded it for the Sony. Instant success.

In the past the JVC HAS worked with pass-thru. So I didn't worry, knew it was just some little thing, and proceeded with my project.

All this is simply FYI.

But there is one note to make: Some digital camcorders DO NOT offer the pass-thru feature. In a previous post one person had purchased too low down on the feature chart and didn't get the pass-thru, though that was his only reason for buying.

Keith

[joosuna]

My JVC camcorder requires that I activate the "pass thru" feature at the camcorder menu, before attempting to "pass thru" analog from VCR thru the Camcorder to the PC. So...it there a chance the Cannon camcorder in question, needs the "pass thru" feature activated ?

[rwindeyer]

Preface: I don't really understand this 'scart' terminology, I am not familiar with your camera or setup - if I say stuff that is inappropriate or bleedin' obvious I apologise in advance. I myself have fallen victim to the simplest of errors.

The problem has at least been localised - the signal is not getting from the VCR to the camera.

Pardon my confusion (see above) - I don't see how a lead can be unidirectional. A cable is a cable - electrons can travel in either direction. It is the hardware on either end which determines the input/output status.

As I said, in my camera, the socket in the camera can give or receive video quite happily. A VCR is not that clever - the output sockets (usually marked Line Out in small letters) will send the signal to the TV - these are the sockets you need to use. Most VCRs have one or more extra sets of sockets - these are Line In, and are for sending video from somewhere else to the VCR. You will get no joy whatever if you connect to these and expect to see a picture. You should be able to just connect a cable from the line out plugs to the av connection of the camera.

The camcorder needs to be switched to VCR mode - I'm sure you've done that.

The AV/DV OUT facility does need to be activated in the camcorder - that is correct.

Hope something in that was relevant and helpful.

[rwindeyer]

Well I didn't like being ignorant, so I did a Google search on Scart plugs; now I at least know what they are

Never seen one myself; AFAIK we just use 3 RCA connectors on audio/video gear here in Australia. If your equipment has something like that we may have something to talk about; otherwise I can't help much, sorry

[BrianCee]

Yes a scart (or 'Peritel) connection is very much a European thing - although I have seen one or two references on a US site - most of our VCRs and TVs will be fitted with these connectors on the back although some VCRs may have a set of RCAs on the front for line-in only to make connecting a camcorder a bit easier., as you may have seen it is a connector having 21 connections and provides all the in-out connections along with other signals all in one connector, it is not the wire which is unidirectional but the adapter which will have 21 connections on one side and only 3 RCA connectors on the other and it will depend on which connections the RCAs are connected to as to whether the scart is an IN or OUT connection.

[Ken Berry]

... and Ron, just as a footnote for the sake of completeness, you can find the occasional device in Australia that uses scart connections. I have bought a (European) wide-angle HD TV here in Canberra, and it has scart connectors, as well as S-Video and RCA connections. And the set-top box that I bought separately to go with it, also connects via scart cables with scart connectors at both ends. But you can also buy scart/RCA adaptors, including at Dick Smith Electronics and Tandy stores.

[rwindeyer]

Thanks guys - one reason I like this board is that one can always learn something new..