analog pass through

[Davec]

Hi all,

I'm trying to capturesome VHS tapes to PC. I'm using my Sony camcorder DCR-TRV60E as analog-digital converter. This doesn't seem to work, although it's stated in the manual & all over internet that it should work.
I'm not sure, but I think my A/V in is broken. I'm able to hear the audio from the connected analog device, but no video. Also the LCD screen on my camcorder is completly blue (as if it's getting no input). Any help appreciated.
This is what I already tried:
1) VHS player > Camcorder A/V in + reviewed all camcorder settings (A/V -> DV out = on; ...)
2) portable DVD-player > camcorder (DVD has a 1-plug A/V out > 1 plug A/V in camcorder)

I'm thinking that my A/V input on the camcorder is broke. Any way to get confirmation? Or am I (still) missing a setting in the camcorder?

[canuck]

How are you connected from the digital camcorder to the PC?
Can you record the video from the analog camcorder on the digital camcorder/
Can you capture video from the digital camcorder to the PC, ie. no-pass through involved?

[Ken Berry]

If, as I think it might be, your Sony has a mini Firewire port, you need to connect it to your computer via a 4 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable -- though this in turn presumes your computer has a Firewire port.

[Davec]

Thanks for the reply.
Connection to PC is fine (Firewire - no issue capturing from DV tape to VS)
I'm getting a greyish preview screen in VS (as in WinDV)
In fact, I took a step back and tried to connect analog device to camcorder only. I can't even record the analog signal to DV tape: no video, only audio ...

[canuck]

Thanks for the reply.
Connection to PC is fine (Firewire - no issue capturing from DV tape to VS)
I'm getting a greyish preview screen in VS (as in WinDV)
In fact, I took a step back and tried to connect analog device to camcorder only. I can't even record the analog signal to DV tape: no video, only audio ...

Well, I guess that proves what you suspected that the problem is with the a/v input to the camcorder

[lata]

Hi Dave

When I set up for pass-through….

I have to remove the tape from the camera, that is a must do.

I have to set the cameras menu for DV there is an option to set DV as Out/In
Cannot remember the actual settings, so will have to dig out the camera to confirm
But does need changing from the norm before Pass-through will work

[Ken Berry]

And IIRC, the camcorder has to be set to PLAY not REC.

[Davec]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies. I managed to get video to the PC!
The yellow video cable turned out to cause the issue. I have now the following connection:
1) scart to S-video + White/Red/Yellow convertor: I use the S-video for the video signal and the W/R cables for audio signal
2) On the camcorder: S-video in for the video and the A/V in for the audio.
3) iLink (FireWire) to connect the camcorder to the PC

I know I should not have high expectations regarding quality, but still... I'm getting a rather bad image.
For starters the overall picture looks kinda "blocked" (see Example1) I guess this has to do with the analog>digital conversion. I wonder that I could do something to prevent this? Any setting on PC or camcorder that would improve the situation? When I look closely to the camcorder's LCD screen I can see the same "blocked" image, only not so explicit (probably has to do with the smaller 2.5' LCD screen)

Example1.JPG (19.59 KiB) Viewed 3237 times

Secondly, I'm having a rather anoying distortion on the bottom of the screen (see Example2 & 3) Again any setting to prevent this? This it not noticable on the camcorder's LCD screen.

Example2.JPG (11.62 KiB) Viewed 3237 times

Example3.JPG (14.93 KiB) Viewed 3237 times

[lata]

Hi Dave

I have always found Pass-through to be the best quality for transferring VHS.

I think the quality issue is with the original video and or the connection from VHS to camcorder. Unless the camera is faulty, but I assume it works ok.
I do not think there are settings on camera other than DV In/Out which I had to set to allow transfer of data, certainly no quality settings, but read the manual just in case?

I never use S-Video, always seem to have problems, I know its supposed to transfer better quality video than composite (yellow cable)
Are you able to try Composite using a yellow cable?

Distortions at the bottom of the screen, sometimes a jagged thin flickering line, but not as high as your image shows,

What is the quality of the original VHS video when played on TV.?
I assume you have other tapes to try?