LOG and Capture with DVX

D

dadirector89@yahoo.com

Active member
Ok,
I just got my DVX, shot my first music video yesterday. Now im ready to take it into post, but I dont have a slave camera to log and capture with. How do I capture with my DVX? I know it messes up the tape head, but this is gonna be a one time thing, Im purchasing a slave cam soon, but I really need to start editing ASAP.

THanks,
Felix
 
Connect the camera by 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable.

Turn it on, switch it to VTR mode, insert the tape.

Start up your NLE.

Open capture window.

There you go.

The most stressful part of the log and capture process (as far as the camera sees it) is the shuttling back and forth. Camera transport mechanisms are not built to hold up to that.
 
C2V what do mean by the camera transport mechanisms aren't built to hold up to that? Like when rewinding and fast fording or something else? And how harmful is capturing with just the DVX cause I didn't know about this.
 
Tippsy said:
C2V what do mean by the camera transport mechanisms aren't built to hold up to that? Like when rewinding and fast fording or something else? And how harmful is capturing with just the DVX cause I didn't know about this.
Click to expand...

Tape transports in cameras are not as robust as in dedicated decks. If you do true log and batch capture, the camera has to do a lot of back-and-forth shuttling. This can wear the tape transports out (not a cheap repair). And once that's done, so is your DVX. It's not as bad if you do straight linear capture (capturing longer clips, in order on the tape) or "Capture Now." But "Capture Now" has too many disadvantages, and I try not to use it.

Rather than investing in a deck, lots of folks just get a cheap camcorder to use as an ingest deck. The thinking is... $300 (or less) now for a cheap camera is a lot better than $1700 now. And hey... if (when) it breaks, it's only $300-ish more to replace it. Yes, folks will argue that you also end up with a second camera for shooting if you need it, but I don't buy that as a great sales pitch.

Personally, I find this disposability mindset to be incredibly poor stewardship. It perpetuates the throw-away society in which we live, and puts more toxic garbage in the landfills. I've had a DVCAM deck for 5 years that is still running like a champ. It was a worthy investment that has more than paid for itself at this point.
 
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