Alternative to using my DVX to capture from

Philip Leech

Philip Leech

Active member
Hi,
At the moment I am currently using my DVX to capture from, but I hate doing it. It feels like the heads are constantly on the tape and. I have been looking around for a mini DV player but they certainly don't seem to be cheap. I had a look for a mini cam going cheap on ebay, but I'm in the UK and my DVX is NTSC and I don't seem to be able to find a financial match.
Any ideas or advice would be appreciated.
Philip
 
I have the same dilemna...but I assure you that a quality camera and deck has a more robust ability to flawlessly capture the data and buying a small (cheap) dv camera to use as your "mule" capture device may not be the best idea. (Personal experience that the firewire port on plastic(bottom line) DV cameras is fragile/ easily damaged...dropped frames very common.)
Hope you find a great DV deck at a reasonable price point and let me know!
 
cal20Dennis said:
buying a small (cheap) dv camera to use as your "mule" capture device may not be the best idea
Click to expand...

Not true. Well, actually, a pro deck would be the best idea, but it doesn't look like you guys have 2 grand to spend.

Many of us use cheap mini dv camcorders to capture from (including myself). I got a small canon off of ebay for $200 and I've been using it for over 2 years now without any issue's (and I log a LOT of footage).

Just keep looking on ebay, guys. You should be able to pick something up for under $200.

-brown
 
Thank's guys, it's a great help having other peoples opions so close.
To be honest, even if using a small dv camera did mean loosing some quality (which is debatable anyway), I think at the level which I am at I would rather that than to put so much wear on my DVX. I want that thing to last as long as possible!

Thank's, I'm off to Ebay!
 
Well believe it or not i been using a CHEAP-O sharp viewcam as my capturing deck, I think paid $75 on ebay, and I only record all my footage on setting 6 (24PA) with no issues at all...
 
stupid newbie question here - i've searched around and haven't found this answered, but am certain that it has been many times. i am unclear about capture cameras - are they used solely for rewinding and replaying to download to the computer, or do you also use them to record footage from the DVX to the capture camera? On another thread, someone seemed to indicate to me that I'd lose quality if recording on the cheap capture camera, and should only use it for replaying/rewinding/etc., yet on this thread (reading between the lines) it seems that you guys are saying you also record to the capture cam? Is that the case?

Thx, Steve
 
most people do the initial capture on the tape in the DVX, then use a cheapo cam to log and capture the footage to the computer, the rewinding and fast-forwarding to hunt for your clip is more stressful on the heads than the intial capture.

This saves wear and tear on the DVX's heads and keeps the hours down, I've heard quotes of around 900 bucks to replace the DVX heads so you could wear out a few el cheapo cams and still come out ahead
 
i have had my dvx70 (JVC) for 7years now. for the last 2 years it has been used as a deck. i haven't had any problems with drop frames. I've change the head once, cost me only $50 back 2years ago. For its life span, i've got no complaines....
 
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