Can not capture in AVI since upgrading to digital

jwalk2c · Post by **jwalk2c** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:09 pm

I just recently switched from recording capturing and editing SVHS and Hi8 and now have a Cannon HV30 mini-dv

.
I also went changed software from VS10 to VideoStudio Pro X2.
For many years I have used a Canopus ADVC-300 to convert the analog SVHS and HI8 MM tapes to digital and have used both VS10 and Pro X2 to capture in AVI.
The reason I had to briefly use the Canopus ADVC-300 to capture footage shot on the Cannon HV30 is that the camcorder did not have a 4 pin to 6 pin fire wire cable to plug directly from the HDV/DV output located above the HDMI port on back of camcorder.
The only cables that came with camera were a set of componet out and composite out.
I was able to easily connect from the HV30 A/V out using the composite yellow,white,red cable and directly in to the Canopus ADVC300.
And what was so nice is I am able to capture in AVI format
So now I have purchased a good a 4pin to 6pin firewire cable (Had one the entire time on my Canopus ADVC and did not realize it).+:)
Here is where it gets frustrating.
I am connecting from the Cannon HV30 HDV/DV out 4 pin via 1394 to PC using VS Pro X2 to capture..
But the format option drop down box in VS capture mode is only allowing me the choice of MPEG and not the other 4 or 5 when connected that I was offered in the past from CanopusADVC3000,such as DV etc.
And I did check AVI under file/Project Propieties.
Please allow me to explain that I am working with the same source tape and recording.
The information provided from VS about source is
1440 X 1080 MPEG WIDESCREEN
Mpeg Audio Layer 2 48000

I want to capture in AVI.
I can already see how much smaller the file size is in capturing in mpeg compared to AVI and I do not like any compresssion of my orginal source file..
AVI has always been so great to work with.
What is puzzling is how I could capture a AVI file from same tape with analog to digital conversion but only mpeg if using the HDV/DV out connection straight from camcorder to pc.
I can only get a compressed mpeg?
I never thought this could happen.
Thank You So Much
jwalk2c

tyamada · Post by **tyamada** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:39 pm

If you are capturing HD Video over firewire/iLink the camera only outputs mpeg. You may be able to capture AVI by using the analogue cables and down convert the output to SD (standard definition).

I don't think any of the High Definition cameras allow capturing HD video in AVI format.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:27 am

tyamada is mostly correct -- you cannot capture from a HDV camera via firewire the original video in anything except mpeg-2 format because HDV *IS* mpeg-2. To correct tyamada, however, you can reset your camera's internal settings to output in DV/AVI which can then be captured via firewire. But note that that this is downconverting from high definition HDV to standard definition DV/AVI. If your intention is to only make standard definition DVDs, then that is fine. But if you intend to produce high definition video for burning to Blu-Ray discs or AVCHD hybrid discs, then you have no alternative but to capture in HDV's native format which, to repeat, is mpeg-2.

In any case, the properties of HDV are high quality and you will not notice any quality loss after one or two recodings of it.

FWIW, I have a Canon HV20, and it all works fine this way...

tyamada · Post by **tyamada** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:44 am

Ken:

I was waiting for you to chime in before. I wasn't sure if you could capture down converted video on the firewire as AVI from a Canon. I never tried it on my Sony HC1. That's why I suggested the analogue cables.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:59 am

Sorry -- I only got back late last night from a trip to Moscow, and this morning found that for some strange reason, my internet connection was down. Have only just got it working.

But yes, if you change the camera's setting to output to DV, it will downconvert during the capture process via firewire. And I am 99% certain you will find that is also the case with the Sony. Personally, though, I always capture in the native HDV/mpeg-2 format, do all my edits in that. And if I want to make standard definition DVDs from the project, I do the downconversion to SD mpeg-2 then. I find the final quality is marginally better than if I capture the HDV as SD DV/AVI...

tyamada · Post by **tyamada** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:29 am

From what I've read, using the camcorder's down convert utility results in degraded video. Most of the folks use the procedure you describe to convert HD video to SD video and get better results.

That's why I haven't used the down convert option on my HC1.