Best way to capture & save my DVX

F

Filmfanatic

Active member
I want to put as little wear & tear on my DVX100A as possible. Is it best for me to buy a cheap $200 digital camera to capture and playback and all the things that will put wear on the heads, or are there better alternatives. Thanks.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

Sure, you can run a firewire cable to a cheaper digital camera and use that to record, then use the cheaper cam to transfer to your NLE. You can also use a laptop with DV Rack. You have many options. What exactly did you have in mind?
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

Well, I just did a capture of a full tape of test footage. I was thinking I don't want to have my DVX go thru the wear and tear of the capture process of rewinding and also playback.

Last night I went to a seminar for hopefull indy filmmakers. It was very basic(perfect for me). They had a few documentary guys who made a point of getting some other device to do all the above mentioned stuff. They use a cheap camera. So I was wondering what is good and cheap in addition to a cheap camera and also is there a good cheap camera choice or will any one do.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

Any miniDV cam will work (as long as it has a firewire out).  I use a Canon -- ZR80 I think?
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

actually, alot of consumer cameras will not read or output the DVX timecode. be sure to check that the model you decide on does indeed work with the DVX tiecode before your return policy period expires on the unit you choose to buy.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

While capturing from a deck or a consumer can is a good idea, I don't see much point in RECORDING TO a cheaper cam. The DVX was built to record; when you do, you're just doing what it's meant for. And besides, as Neil points out, you can lose a lot of the info the DVX would record.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

David,
Does that mean I shouldn't use a cheap camera at all because I'll loose stuff from the tape footage during the capture process?
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

Theres still absolutely no reason not to use a second camera as a deck.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

[quote author=Filmfanatic link=board=Vegas;num=1107747560;start=0#6 date=02/08/05 at 05:46:40]David,
Does that mean I shouldn't use a cheap camera at all because I'll loose stuff from the tape footage during the capture process?[/quote]

A dedicated deck is your best option, but you can use a cheaper cam for capture. Just make sure it can read the timecode accurately. You most likely won’t be able to read user bits, etc., but that might not be too much of an issue if you don’t use them, anyway.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

Thanks to all for the help.

I just got back from my local Circut City. I was going to get a low priced camera .It turned out that the salesman had a video business and said the same as what David mentioned. For $400 he got a Panasonic deck that he was happy with. For some reasaon I thought they were a lot more money. I might be able to afford that. I'm going to do some hunting and see if I can get a good low priced deck. I guess I'll just loose the second camera option if I get a deck.

He also mentioned a site called www.17street.com. Said its a wholesale outfit that supplies many stores.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

[quote author=lucidz link=board=Vegas;num=1107747560;start=0#7 date=02/08/05 at 07:37:03]Theres still absolutely no reason not to use a second camera as a deck.[/quote]
Not necessarily true. Read Neil R.'s timecode post again.

Especially if you have many hours of footage and you want to use timecode preset. For example, my Canon Optura won't read timecode beyond 07:59:59;29. It will capture if I start from the beginning of the tape, but any navigation/going to a specific time code won't work. Also, it seems to have problems dropping audio - not sure why.

That is absolutely a reason not to use it. I am saving money for a real deck.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

All this info is a great help.

It makes me ask,
whats the least a person should pay for a deck and which ones do you all recommended? I can probably only afford a low priced model. Is there a 'best' in that catagory?
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

Whenever possible, I capture directly from the DXV to my PC's second SATA (D:) hard drive using no tape in the DXV. I control the start and stop functions from within Vegas's capture utility.
 
Re: Best way to capture & save my DVX

get a Sony GV-D1000. I use that to bring all my footage in, and I use it to also send the signal from my computer to a TV for clients.

Just yesterday I picked up a DVCAM deck and an XL1s that had expired on an ebay auction.

If you're not lucky enough to catch an auction as it dies with no bidders, then hit up EVSOnline.com Their store is just a few miles from my house. :)
 
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