Connecting an old Sony mini dv camcorder to Pro X2

[lata]

Hi Steve
Going back a few years now and having to rack the old brain cells.
If the camcorder has not been used for a long time it may need the heads cleaning, you can purchase a tape cassette to clean DV camcorders
I have had problems when using other tapes not recorded with the camera with pictures breaking up during play. cleaning usually helps.

[Steve Stacey]

Thanks again. Just weird that I viewed many yesterday, and now those same tapes don’t work today. I’ve just ordered another mini dv camcorder (second hand, cheap) to try that with the new FireWire cable ordered.

[Steve Stacey]

My FireWire cable has arrived now. If also bought another mini dv camcorder on eBay, so just waiting for that now. However, I can confirm that the four pin connector doesn’t fit in the ilink DV socket on the Sony. Latter definitely not usb, but not FireWire.

Thanks

[Ken Berry]

You didn't by chance order a Firewire 800 cable did you?

[Steve Stacey]

You didn't by chance order a Firewire 800 cable did you?

The FireWire definitely fits at DELL pc end 6 pin) It looks identical to my old one, so the camcorder end, 4 pin should be good to go when I receive the new cam.

However, it’s described as “400 series” so probably blown it.

Thanks

[Ken Berry]

No -- Firewire 400 was the "original" firewire. It indicated that it could transmit signals at a maximum of 400 Mbps. Later, a newer type of Firewire came out which could transmit up to 800 Mbps and it was called, as a result, Firewire 800. It used a different cable.

Most cameras that I am aware of used Firewire 400 ports -- but I guess later ones could have used Firewire 800 ports and cables... Hopefully the second DV camera you are getting will use the 400 series port!

[Steve Stacey]

Thanks. Will let you know how I get on, when camcorder arrives.

[Steve Stacey]

Hi

Said I’d provide an update once I’d acquired the JVC mini dv cam. Software installed once camera connected to pc via FireWire. VS also recognised and let’s you capture. One bizarre thing not linked to VS- the audio on the tapes is stop start (regular pattern), when just played through camcorder. Audio is also stop start during VS capture, but fine when captured file played. I’m sure it’s the second hand JVC. (Returned my brother’s last week, but didn’t have this problem when played through his Sony.

Has anyone else come across this bizarre phenomenon?

Thanks

[asik1]

"the audio on the tapes is stop start (regular pattern)" ? I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean.
If your tapes were recorded LP than you might have issues when played on a different camcorder.
It was well advised back then to play LP's only on the same camcorder for 100% quality.

[lata]

Hi Steve
Going back a few years now and having to rack the old brain cells.
If the camcorder has not been used for a long time it may need the heads cleaning, you can purchase a tape cassette to clean DV camcorders
I have had problems when using other tapes not recorded with the camera with pictures breaking up during play. cleaning usually helps.

I assume you have selected to use DV as the Capture format and not Mpeg which sould also be available
If the playback is intermittent yet the DV stream is ok then think yourself lucky

I am not convinced that all camcorders record on the exact same position on the record heads, playing another tape could be slightly out of position and running over a dirty patch on the head, cleaning the heads should help, take note of the instructions as over cleaning can cause problems, catch 22, but I have cleaned my camcorder heads with no problems.

[Steve Stacey]

Hi again

Yes, probably did LP to max take, but v long time ago. I inadvertently chose mpeg yesterday, but now tried DV, and still get the audio issue during capture. Rev”stop start”- means audio stops every few seconds.

Thsnks

[lata]

But if the final video on the PC has audio with no problems then you can continue to edit the videos

Using DV transfers the video stream without any changes, no recoding, what you get is what was recorded and that's DV

If you choose mpeg the process recodes the video to mpeg2, you can also set the capture properties, the quality may not be as good.
DV is a lossless format so better for editing as quality is retained.
Of course if you wish to burn a DVD the the DV project would be rendered to mpeg2

Either using the camera to capture will improve the audio, or the Capture will get worse as the heads get dirty, not what we really need.
If I recall playback on the other camcorder did get worse As you played different tapes.

[Steve Stacey]

Hi

Many thanks yet again for your continued support. This time, not bothering with DVDs, particularly as their condition put me in this position. What Im basically doing us trawling thru the dvs to identify footage that couldn’t be recovered from the DVDs. I’ll then capture in DV format and put the AVI file on my new WD Elements HD.

Thanks

[asik1]

Google can find anything
https://www.sony.com.my/electronics/sup ... S500008272

[lata]

Hi Steve

Just one thing to note regarding editing DV is the Interlacing
DV uses Lower Field First for its interlacing.
Interlacing is created by the recording device so we have no input in the choice.

Video Studio at one time did use Lower Field First for its default templates but since the introduction of HD (yes a while ago now) changed to Upper Field First.
When / should you render the DV to another format the template will/may use Upper Field and make a mess of the video, you will need to create your own template to use Lower Field.
Of course there is the option to render to progressive (frame based)

Just be aware that interlacing and VS could cause quality problems.

Good luck with your project