Avian Gamers Network

Anyone have any experieince doing this?

What software do you use to capture the Video from the camcorder. It would seem that you need to send the Video signal out form the Camcorder (analog signal) into the PC.

_________________
Dalaran: Arindel - Frost Mage (Mining/Alchemy)
Dalaran: Roran - Paladin (Weaponsmith/Blacksmith)
Dalaran: Baine - Rogue

Well I'm sure moge is the best to answer this, but in the past I've had to use a TV capture card with analog recorders (s-video, coax etc inputs).
With that it's pretty straight forward to capture the raw footage, edit and burn to disc (was video CDs in my case).

Wasn't exactly the best quality with the cheepo card I got.

few questions.
What Camcorder do you have? Does it have Firewire or 'iLink' (sony brand for FW).

_________________
Moge

Sony DCT-TRV330

Though I don't think it has Firewire or iLink (being an older model). Appears to be S-Video, DV IN/OUT and USB options (also a LANC jack though that isn't familiar to me)

_________________
Dalaran: Arindel - Frost Mage (Mining/Alchemy)
Dalaran: Roran - Paladin (Weaponsmith/Blacksmith)
Dalaran: Baine - Rogue

ok all TRV models have an 'iLink' connection. This is Sonys branding of Firewire.
This model will have what is called a 4pin-6pin firewire. Meaning you need a 4pin FW (very small jack) that plugs into the camera and a 6-pin (standard firewire) to go into your computer. This camera may have come with this cable but you can but a 4-6pin at any bestbuy as that is that standard FW cable for most camcorders.

Capture:
So long as your computer has a FW port you are all set. If not you can buy a FW card very cheap. I would stick with FW and not use the s-video or RGB cables.

Why? the Sony TRV uses miniDV tape. FW transfers miniDV takes as a digital file and you need a digital file to edit. If you use S-Video cables you are 'transcoding' from miniDV (digital) to analog (s-video) and then back to digital (capture card). You loose huge resolution and it is just silly.

With FW on your camera and computer you just need software that can 'batch capture' your video and edit your video. FYI digital video is about 4gigs per minute of video.

Honesty, any there are just ass loads of software packages available that can do this for you. Any BestBuy will have a number of options available.

what to look for. What you DONT need is a capture card. FW IS your capture card! A lot of people but capture cards so they can plug in old VCRs and old camcorders to computers. FW is your capture card you don't need this! Once you finish editing your video just record it back to your camcorder using FW or use your camcorder as a transcoder to go comp->FW>Camcorder>RCA/s-video cables>VCR

Software:
A quick look on bestbuy they have both Pinnacle and Vegas software from $50-$120. Both these company are very reputable in the video world and both also make very high end software and turnkey systems. I would recommend either as a company that 'knows video'.

_________________
Moge

Awesome.

Thank Jason for the info. Looks like I need a trip to BB to get some new toys

_________________
Dalaran: Arindel - Frost Mage (Mining/Alchemy)
Dalaran: Roran - Paladin (Weaponsmith/Blacksmith)
Dalaran: Baine - Rogue