Help Request: Capturing higher resolutions from older camera ( i.e.Sony DCR-VX2000E )

E

epistomole

New member
Hi all.
I recently restored this Sony DCR-VX2000E, just, because... and i figured i would find some good use for it.
it is now in working order and has composite and firewire outputs.

I took a composite/usb grabber device from my shelf and had a working connection to my PC.
However, that capture device's ceilling is 720p.

Question: If I invested in a capture device capable of higher resolution - is there still a limit (what limit) of what i can grab
from the camera? what is the max resolution and how do i get it?

All "experts" I had at my disposal in local shops were unanimous in their response:
"Actually, that's a good question...." :P

So I was hoping for some help from an expert forum such as this one. kindly appreciated.

below are some camera stats and a link to the full manual

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/3061/30615081M.pdf


Sony DCR-VX2000E
Additional Information / Дополнитeльнaя инфоpмaция241EnglishSpecificationsVideo camerarecorderSystemVideo recording system2 rotary headsHelical scanning systemAudio recording systemRotary heads, PCM systemQuantization: 12 bits (Fs 32 kHz,stereo 1, stereo 2), 16 bits(Fs48 kHz, stereo)Video signalPAL colour, CCIR standardsUsable cassetteMini DV cassette with the mark printedTape speedSP: Approx. 18.81 mm/sLP: Approx. 12.56 mm/sRecording/playback time (usingcassette DVM60)SP: 1 hLP: 1.5 hFast-forward/rewind time (usingcassette DVM60)Approx. 2 min and 30 sViewfinderElectric viewfinder (colour)Image device1/3 type CCD (3 Charge CoupledDevice)Approx. 450 000 pixels(Effective: Approx. 400 000 pixels)LensCombined power zoom lensFilter diameter 58 mm (2 3/8 in)12× (Optical), 48× (Digital)F1.6 - 2.4Focal length6 - 72 mm (1/4 - 2 7/8 in)When converted to a 35 mm stillcamera43.2 - 518.4 mm (1 3/4 - 20 1/2 in)Colour temperatureAuto, nIndoor (3 200 K), Outdoor (5 800 K), Minimum illumination2 lux (F1.6)Input/Output connectorsS video input/outputInput/output auto switch4-pin mini DINLuminance signal: 1 Vp-p,75 ohms, unbalancedChrominance signal: 0.3 Vp-p,75 ohms, unbalancedVideo input/outputInput/output auto switchRCA pin-jack, 1 Vp-p, 75 ohms,unbalanced, sync negative
 
The VX2100 was one of the first cameras I owned. Very fun.

With that said, it's ancient technology and a prosumer standard-definition camera that most likely has no benefit from any external recording because the resolution in the camera is so low.

Back then external recording didn't exist for anyone but the highest level of professionals (like production trucks/studios) who had access to it, so the idea of outputting any kind of high-quality data from a camera like that to future external recorders available at consumer prices would have been an insane thought at the time.

And as far as capturing higher resolutions from lower-resolution cameras...not possible unless it's a modern day camera and its outputs are designed for it, or it was engineered to upscale in the camera.
 
You've got a bit confused here - 1080 and 720 are variations of HD - this is an SD camcorder, so your capture device will extract the best it can manage. The 720x576 EU/UK SD frame size should interface fine - but the quality is good old SD. It does have a 4 pin min firewire output - so you could always pop in a firewire card into your PC and get the best quality - no point using the analogue connections and a better interface as the quality isn't there, even if you use component - firewire is the only way to preserve quality.

Don't get 720x576 confused with 720p - this is an interlaced camera.
 
They were actually a pretty nice camera, and as long as the mechanism is working fine, they still are!
 
epistomole said:
"nice...still are" - in what way? i like the lens etc, but if i understood correctly, i really can only get that sd quality off it.
Click to expand...

Correct. It’s an SD camera and will never be more than an SD camera. There’s nothing hidden that unlocks the sensor that was “secretly” HD.
 
I just captured 3 Mini DV tapes from 2010 that I shot on the DVX100 back when I had one in 24PA mode. Used my Panasonic AJ-HD1400 deck which does an amazing upconvert to 1080psf over HD SDI. Best up res ive seen in my life.
 
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