Capturing Analog tapes using the DVC90 (Dazzle)

scott_tx · Post by **scott_tx** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:30 pm

I am trying to use my Dazzle DVC90 USB device to capture my Video8 & VHS-C tapes. VS9 recognizes the device but when I try to capture video there is nothing displayed in the capture window & then it errors out. Capturing from my Panasonic Mini-DV works fine.

If the Dazzle product will not work, can anyone suggest a product that I could hook up Analog Camcorders with?

Thanks

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:46 pm

How are you connecting the camcorder to your PC? If it is Firewire and not USB, you might be able to use analog-to-digital passthrough if your camcorder model supports it.

scott_tx · Post by **scott_tx** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:52 pm

I'm using the Dazzle DVC 90 (Digital Video Converter) from Pinnacle. It does not seem to be working though.

It works fine with the Pinnacle software but I do not like the Pinnacle s/w. It took almost 8 hours to render 1 DVD. I'm running a P4 2.0 GHZ w/ 1 GB of ram.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:05 pm

You could, of course, always capture with the Dazzle software, but then do your editing with VS...

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:20 pm

scott_tx wrote:I'm using the Dazzle DVC 90 (Digital Video Converter) from Pinnacle. It does not seem to be working though.

I understand that.

But you wrote that capturing from the camcorder worked fine, and I'm suggesting using the camcorder to convert your analog source video to DV format. Many camcorders support what is called passthrough encoding, where they take an analog source, use the camcorder's encoding circuitry, and then feed a DV data stream out through the Firewire port.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:51 pm

Torsten's method avoids using the Dazzle device altogether.

1) First check to make sure your digital video camera does in fact support pass-through.

2) If it does, then follow the method suggested in your camera's manual for connecting the analogue camera to the digital camera.

3) This will usually be either using the analogue camera's S-video out plug, plus a mono or stereo audio cable (red/white RCA) and connecting to the digital camera's S-video (if it has one) or combined AV input plug.

4) The digital video camera is connected to your computer via Firewire.

scott_tx · Post by **scott_tx** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:22 am

Thanks Torsten & Ken for the info. Sorry I did not understand it the first time. I'm a newbie to this.

I've reviewed my manual and I see that it can do DV to DV dubbing or DV to VHS but I did not see a pass through capability. My digital camera is a Panasonic PV-GS15. My analog is a Palmcorder IQ and it does not have a S-Video plug. So it looks like I will have to use the Dazzle for now.

If you have any additional advice for this situation I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for your help.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:50 am

I found an online review that indicates that your camcorder does NOT support passthrough encoding, which is unfortunate.

My suggestion would be to use the software that came with the Dazzle to handle the capturing, and then using UVS to edit and produce a DVD if needed.

scott_tx · Post by **scott_tx** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:43 pm

Thanks for the advice & assistance. You and Ken have been great.