Capturing from an older Panasonic Camcorder. Firewire of USB

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:00 pm

My friend has a Panasonic NV-DS55B that's about 9 years old. Very good quality video as shown on a TV. I have "volunteered" to help him capture all his videos on tapes to his PC. There is a video out 3.5mm jack together with what looks lke a "composite" coneection. We have a USB lead that connects to that connection. There is also a "Docking station" for the camera from whence it is easy to connect to a TV. I haven't used a tape camcorder before but I have learnt here that it is best to capture via firewire. Could I use either the AV out jack or the composite socket for a firewire lead? If so I will put a firewire card in his PC. Alternatively I could use the USB but I don't hink that's the best idea. Any help or views greatly appreciated

Post by **Ron P.** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:23 pm

No, firewire is firewire. I don't know if any adapter that would allow connecting composite or mini-jacks to it. You need some sort of conversion device like ADVC55, by Grassvalley. It has the composite input jacks, and Firewire output. It also does the analog-->digital conversion, removing the burden from the PC. The ADVC 55 is the least expensive, of the ADVC line, but should do a very good job.

skier-hughes · Post by **skier-hughes** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:30 pm

My google search said it was a minidv camcorder, so should have a firewire connection.
It should look like one of these
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en ... a=N&tab=wi
It may be call dv on a panasonic.

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:30 am

Thanks for the responses. Will collect the camera and dock and delve further. Graham, That small connector is exactly what I found. It is indeed called DV. Its the one described as "Composite". Will work towards the Frewire solution.
Thanks again
John

skier-hughes · Post by **skier-hughes** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:49 pm

composite will most likely be a mini jack

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:22 pm

skier-hughes wrote:composite will most likely be a mini jack

Thanks Graham, but it was me that described the socket as "composite". Its a small four pin rectangular socket. However, the owner has now foud the original Manual which is quite large so that should contain all the detail require.