Sony Handycams cannot serve as USB live-capture devices

[jd_hupp]

In a chat session at Sony today, a rep informed me that, no, I cannot download the USB driver and Image Mixer software for the DCR-DVD300 I have (on loan to try to work out a solution for a school). I would have to order the CD (or go back and make the camera lender hunt down his CD). Anyone confirm this about Sony?

More troubling was the rep's assertion that, even with their USB driver and Image Mixer in hand, I cannot do live-capture with their camera. I want to use this camera (or another) to do live-capture over USB or Firewire with Ulead VideoStudio. I am able to do this with a Canon ZR10, but the quality of the captured video source, even at AVI (Type 1), is not quite adequate by the time it is edited and rendered/burned to DVD. I find that the Sony mini-DVD source, produced from their 690K video pixel hardware, produces a better final product than the 340K video pixel Canon, but I don't want to record and capture from multiple mini-DVD's, or from a miniDV tape either. Will the Sony miniDV cams do what I want, or do they not support live capture either?

Is there a Panasonic or Canon or some other make better suited for my purpose?

[THoff]

If you are OK with Firewire instead of USB, you can use many MiniDV camcorders to stream video without recording to tape/DVD. For instance, my Panasonic PV-GS400 3CCD camcorder can run on AC power without a tape in the camcorder and stream DV indefinitely.

[jd_hupp]

If you are OK with Firewire instead of USB, you can use many MiniDV camcorders to stream video without recording to tape/DVD. For instance, my Panasonic PV-GS400 3CCD camcorder can run on AC power without a tape in the camcorder and stream DV indefinitely.

Thanks, THoff. Yes, I am quite prepared to handle Firewire. But a couple follow-ups: 1) Are you able to confirm that the Sony USB camcorders will not stream live video to PC? 2) Can you say anything about the video quality of lower-budget 1CCD miniDV Panasonic camcorders compared to similar units from other tier-1 manufacturers? 3) Can I take it as a universal statement that Firewire camcorders will stream live video, while some USB units will and some won't?

[THoff]

1) Are you able to confirm that the Sony USB camcorders will not stream live video to PC?

No. I had two Sony camcorders before I got the Panasonic, but I never tried USB streaming. I also don't think that there is a clear-cut answer on a per-manufacturer basis, I'm sure that there are variations among models. For instance, some Panasonic camcorders support USB 2.0 Full Speed, and others don't.

2) Can you say anything about the video quality of lower-budget 1CCD miniDV Panasonic camcorders compared to similar units from other tier-1 manufacturers?

No, nor would I know what level of performance (resolution, focusing, color fidelity, low-light performance) are acceptable to you or appropriate for your needs. I would try Camcorderinfo.com and consult with users who have the specific model(s) you would consider using.

3) Can I take it as a universal statement that Firewire camcorders will stream live video, while some USB units will and some won't?

Unfrotunately, again the answer is no. Many DV camcorders will output DV when there is no tape in the camcorder, but some will undoubtedly not do that. I also can't guarrantee that they will all stay powered on, and not all have the ability to run on AC power.

That being said, the Panasonic PV/NV-GS250 and PV/NV-GS400 will do these things, and I believe the PV/NV-GS150 will do as well, though I'm not 100% sure about it.