Is there a way to use this with camera with current gen computers?

S

springsteen

Member
So I have the DVX. I know the camera by definition is obsolete, but I still like it and want to use it like a Honda, just drive into the ground. Reselling it is an option, but I feel I'd be better off just using it as much as possible until it dies.

The problem is that my old laptop died and now I'm without a firewire port. I have a current generation MBP, but don't know of any options to connect the camera to my computer so I can capture the footage.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
 
There is no workable way I know of to connect the DVX to a laptop, or any other computer, that doesn't have a firewire port. It might be worthwhile to buy an older used PC with firewire capability, to use strictly as a capture machine. Capture to an external USB hard drive, then connect that drive to your laptop to edit.

Great camera!
 
The key here is make sure any device you use to interface with the laptop is doing a digital transfer, not analog. You want to keep every ounce of image quality.
 
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter is $35. That's firewire 800, so you then need a 4-pin Firewire 400 to 9-pin Firewire 800 cable, for $5-10. Easy.
 
strangways said:
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter is $35. That's firewire 800, so you then need a 4-pin Firewire 400 to 9-pin Firewire 800 cable, for $5-10. Easy.
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Be VERY careful if you're using a 4-pin to 9-pin cable. If not done correctly, you can easily blow the firewire port on the camera, the computer, or both.

When using such a cable, ALWAYS connect the 9-pin end (computer end) FIRST. Only then can you connect the 4-pin end to the camera safely.

If you connect the 4-pin end first, then it's quite possible that in trying to connect the 9-pin end, you will accidentally brush the data pins of the cable against the power pins of the computer's firewire port, sending power down the data lines. This will fry the camera's firewire port.

It is MUCH safer to use a 4-pin to 4-pin cable, but if the Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter only has a 9-pin port on it, then you'll have no choice but to use a 4-pin to 9-pin cable. Just be careful. Many many DVX100 users have fried their cameras' firewire ports.
 
If you insert the 9-pin Firewire connector into the computer with the correct orientation, there is no risk of brushing the data pins against the power pins. The people who fry their cameras somehow manage to force the 9-pin connector in the completely wrong way - 180 degrees rotated - despite the fact that it is keyed to only go in one way. I expect it takes a fair bit of force to get it wrong.
 
strangways said:
If you insert the 9-pin Firewire connector into the computer with the correct orientation, there is no risk of brushing the data pins against the power pins. The people who fry their cameras somehow manage to force the 9-pin connector in the completely wrong way - 180 degrees rotated - despite the fact that it is keyed to only go in one way. I expect it takes a fair bit of force to get it wrong.
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If you look at the pin assignments, the power pins are right beside the data pins. Even if the plug is oriented correctly, a small misjudgement when trying to plug it in can cause a fried port.

The point is, it can happen, and has happened to quite a few DVX users. Just warning the OP to be careful.
 
And it's not just the cable hookup. Static electricity can fry a firewire port too. It happened to me.

I always kept the 9-pin end of the firewire cable plugged into the computer, so I could connect the camera (a Canon HV30) whenever I needed to capture. One day I went to connect the camera, and a split second before the cable touched the camera, I saw a spark of static electricity jump between the two. Felt and heard it too. Blew the firewire port. Luckily it wasn't the port on the camera -- it was the one on the computer. Put in a new firewire card and was back in business. Still, something to be careful about, especially this time of the year.
 
NorBro said:
You could look into external recorders too...getting pretty inexpensive.
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Do you know of any links to such equipment?

Thanks to everyone who responded. I'm still 50/50 about holding onto this cam. It has super low hours on the heads and is in pretty damn good condition. I'm strongly considering selling it though if I can find an easier work around. I'd rather not look to buy another computer since I'm limited on space (small apartment).
 
I wonder if someone would be able to design a cable that has a 4-pin firewire connector on one end and an SD card on the other -- an adapter that would connect the camera's firewire port to the SD card slot on a laptop or PC? Of course, it would probably have to have its own capture software that would recognize the SD card port as a digital capture device. That would be an interesting project, though nobody's likely to do it anymore.
 
springsteen said:
Do you know of any links to such equipment?
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I don't know if this will work, but maybe do some more research on it? I remember people back in the day trying to mess around with these things. There may be some threads around here with more info as well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/700092-REG/Datavideo_DN_60_DN_60_Digital_CF_Card.html

If it's possible to somehow get a signal via the S-video/RCA/Firewire through adapters/scaling into a SDI/HDMI recorder and it locks in a signal, that could work but I am not sure if the end result is worth it.
 
NorBro said:
I don't know if this will work, but maybe do some more research on it? I remember people back in the day trying to mess around with these things. There may be some threads around here with more info as well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/700092-REG/Datavideo_DN_60_DN_60_Digital_CF_Card.html

If it's possible to somehow get a signal via the S-video/RCA/Firewire through adapters/scaling into a SDI/HDMI recorder and it locks in a signal, that could work but I am not sure if the end result is worth it.
Click to expand...

That looks like just the thing!
 
I decided to sell it. I posted a link in the Marketplace.

In the end, it would be too much more on an investment to keep using this. I appreciate all the advice. If anyone of the forum buys it, you're getting a great camera. I loved that thing.
 
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