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- cosmichobo
September 26, 2006, 3:12 pm

G'day,
IN SHORT:
Other than the Canon MV-X430, what other camcorders can do
analogue/digital conversion on the fly (instead of capturing to tape
first)? What is the cheapest?
Alternatively, are there any DVD Recorders that have firewire output and
will "pass through" the analogue signal so I could hook it up to my eMac
and capture that way??? I read the Pioneer 310 has in and out
Firewire... (though read they cost $200 in USA, but $900 here???)
IN LONG:
I'm having to revisit the question of how to convert analogue video into
digital; namely capturing footage from a VCR onto my eMac.
In '04 I purchased a Sony PC104E MiniDV Cam for this purpose (as opposed
to a Canopus or other box converter), but was burgled last week and they
swiped the camera.
My insurance is paying out $1650 (for the Sony & my Sharp Viewcam that
was also stolen), so I just need to decide how to spend the money.
I was going to go with Sony again, but was told that they don't make
cameras now that do analogue/digital conversion.
Apparently the Canon MV-X430 does the job, and I've been quoted $850,
which leaves about $800. Rather than get 2 video cameras, I was going
to then try and find a digital SLR for the balance - something that's
proving hard to do.
As an alternative, I was looking at the option of forgetting the
analogue/digital converter aspect so as to be able to find a cheaper
video camera. Then I'll be able to get the SLR camera, but will still
need to find a way to convert analogue to digital...
Thus I was wondering if any of the DVD Recorders on the market these
days could take my Sony's place... I see that the Pioneer 310 has
"firewire in and out"... but will it do conversion on the fly?
Appreciate any advice....
cheers
cosmic

Re: Analogue -> Digital Conversion...

You could buy a second hand PC (P3 <1GHz for $100 would be fine) *and*
a USB capture device for under $200. Still leaves plenty of cash left
over for a new camcorder *and* that SLR ;-)
If your sole purpose is to just transfer some old video, you could even
buy the PC, use it and then resell it afterwards. Could even end up
costing you nothing in the end.
Dave :)

Re: Analogue -> Digital Conversion...

Um, no... I went through about a dozen of them (canon, sony, and
panasonic) and only one or two had inputs. I know a lot of them did it
going back just a few years, cos when I bought my Sony in mid '04 there
were plenty to choose from... but now it's a rarity.

Yeah no one in the store knew for sure about the camcorders, so can't
imagine their knowledge of DVD recorders will be much better.
cheers

Re: Analogue -> Digital Conversion...

I was after something top do exactly that too...thought the best way to go
might be a HDD camcorder saving on media cost / waste. However I havent seen
a reasonably priced unit capable of doing it. Why do most camcorders not
have AV inputs anymore? They always used to. A lot of them claim to be
usable as a "Webcam" as well....whether its at the full resolution might be
a differet story though. Looking at purchasing at the end of the year so
hopefully something that caters for everything will be available by then.
James
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