http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: firewire - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:52:29 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/firewire-video-transfer-from-camcorder-to-pc-is-pixelated/page/2#post-74255 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:16:58 +0000 Linda Estridge 74255@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The firewire port on my Canon ZR800 has stopped working.  It looks like two pins might be broken off.  Can I replace the firewire port.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/are-you-using-usb-30-for-video-editing#post-74239 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:05:26 +0000 aburke3 74239@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks Rob,</p> <p>I'l check out BlackMagic. I'm toying with the thought of adding USB3.0 to my MacBook Pro (with ExpressCard expansion slot).</p> <p>I guess the hunt is still on for detailed specs...</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/are-you-using-usb-30-for-video-editing#post-74190 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:53:13 +0000 robGRAUERT 74190@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I know BlackMagic Design has I/O options that implement the USB3.0 connection, so I <em>assume</em> the connection is quite capable. However, I still haven't found whether or not USB3.0 transfers data as packets (like USB2.0) or if it's a steady, constant stream (like FW800 and eSATA).</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/are-you-using-usb-30-for-video-editing#post-74184 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:30:18 +0000 aburke3 74184@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi All,</p> <p>I've been using FireWire800 for the past 6 years, and eSATA more recently. </p> <p> </p> <p>USB 2.0 was simply never good for streaming video playback, due to the technical specs.</p> <p> </p> <p>Are you using USB 3.0? Is it any good for HD video? I've found surprisingly little info on this topic.</p> <p> </p> <p>Happy Editing, </p> <p>Andrew</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-72024 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:19:22 +0000 BruceMol 72024@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The SD card is for images only, not video.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-72018 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:40:04 +0000 Justin Hastings 72018@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>A friend of my has an XH-A1 that we shoot with some times, and although we shoot on tapes a lot of the time, if I remember correctly it accepts SD memory cards as an output option.  If this is the case, I would forget shooting on tapes all together and invest in some SD cards.  They are amazingly cheap, and reusable. Just get a couple of back-up hard drives and your set.  </p> <p>This will potentially save yourself many, many hours of capturing that you could be spending in the editing room, which is a big plus when you are on a short deadline to finish a project.</p> <p>That being said, if you are worried about having a back-up on tape, I think the camera may have an option to record to both SD and Mini-DV at the same time.  I know some cameras do that, but I would research that a little more.  </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71864 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:32:15 +0000 Rocky 71864@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I was a electronics technician in a previous life repairing consumer and professional electronic products including video cameras. From a technical view it is recommended to always use high quality tape such as Sony. Camera manufacturers tapes are always a safe bet, Panasonic JVC Sony etc. Equipment received for service that had used different brands of tapes are easily identifiable by excessive tape deposits both on the tape path and on the video heads. Tape deposits on the tape path are readily transfered to the video heads. </p> <p>Never ever use a cleaning tape unless the video heads are dirty. The actual video heads for want of a better description can be described as the height of a razor blade and the width of a small matchstick with a v shape cut into each of the revolving heads.  The action of a cleaning tape is to remove tape deposits from inside the v shape heads, but every time a cleaning tape passes over the heads it reduces the depth of the v shape.  When the v shape is worn down to nothing the heads are destined the scrap heap.  Needless to say the more hour's video heads do, the more they ware down including transfer firewire use.</p> <p>As to difference between HD and DV tapes, I shoot in HD with DV tapes and edit in DV to broadcast standard and I have not found the necessity to invest in HD tapes. </p> <p>Elena's other question involved tape &amp; DTE. Tape mechanism are always potentially more trouble with multiple mechanical parts both plastic and metal which wear with use/age/conditions, greater humidity more problems. </p> <p>Any time a video camera goes in for service for whatever reason it is a good investment to request the service center to clean the tape path and lubricate the mechanism. Both minor low cost jobs that will save a fortune long term.        </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71844 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:18:31 +0000 BruceMol 71844@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I use an XH-A1 to record, a Canon HV20 to capture, after problems with drop outs I use only the high quality SONY though others have written in this forum (recently) they saw no difference. After 3 years and hundreds of tapes, for two documentaries and over 100 short videos on Youtube, Vimeo and in private hands; I detect no head wear. I use a Maxell head cleaner tape. If you can get a low mileage HV20, 30 or 40 you can extend the life of your XHA1. If you need the XHA1 for one project only I think you can do w/o a capture deck/camcorder. I also use my XHA1 directly into my laptop via firewire and record into Adobe OnLocation. Videomaker recently reviewed a product that the XHA1 can record directly to and it cost about $800 I think.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71843 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:16:06 +0000 Kenkyusha 71843@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;@Ophelia- your deck will depend on what your "A" cam is.&nbsp; As TomB says above, the HV series makes fantastic 'decks' for the XHA1 (because they are smaller and less expensive) but also make solid 'B' cams that can match&nbsp;color and output (including the Canon 24pf that many capture decks don't do).</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71842 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:30:51 +0000 mfish653 71842@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>@TomB I also use a canon xh-a1 as my main camera and use sony mini dv tapes. now what I found was the cheap ($2) are sonys cheapest but they offer a "better tape for about $15. I use there highest grade but got in a pinch once and the cheap ones were the only ones avaliable. I couldnt tell a dif in the quality. What are your thoughts?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71808 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:02:54 +0000 ophelia 71808@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> @Birdcat re: capture deck - any advice on how to research &amp; choose a deck?  I am one of "those people"  ;-)  who utilizes a "third" camera for capturing footage to my PC.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71804 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:18:52 +0000 Elena 71804@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Awesome. Thanks so much for the advice guys. Really appreciate it.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/firewire-video-transfer-from-camcorder-to-pc-is-pixelated#post-71802 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:33:22 +0000 DNSVideo 71802@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>in looking at the link hbridge posted, that is a tape issue, nothing but.  I have 3 Canon ZR camcorders, the 500, 800 and 930.  I have experienced this effect when using a well used tape and then putting that tape in another camcorder for capture to the computer.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71800 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:12:15 +0000 TomB 71800@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Elena.......  I shoot with a XH-A1  I agree 100% with his comments.....</p> <p>I also use two HV-40 cams and I capture with one of those to help save on the A1 head wear.  I've always used Sony Standard tapes for HD.  Cost around $2 each. and nothing else.</p> <p>Nope, no external mini-DV player, just use a HV-40.  You will need a second cam anyway.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71799 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 10:37:03 +0000 birdcat 71799@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi Elena - </p> <p>OK - To answer some of your questions.  Don't scrimp on tapes - one bogus tape can ruin your heads (it happened to me).  Always buy from a reputable source.  As for which brand - go with one that is compatible with your camera (lubricated vs non-lub, wet vs. dry) and stick with the one brand if possible.  You can but as a rule I never re-used a tape -  they're cheap enough and it gives you built in archival.</p> <p>As for head wear, capturing from your camera will indeed use your heads more than using alternate means - Some folks have a dedicated capture deck for this purpose.  You could also purchase a used camera with issues as long as the firewire, playback and heads are functional and use that (not recommended but others have done this).</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mini-dv-tapes-firewire-and-heads#post-71790 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:34:14 +0000 Elena 71790@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey,</p> <p>So I'm soon to buy my first prosumer camcorder (looking at the Canon XH A1) and am trying to work out what to do about recording footage. I apologise if these issues have been raised elsewhere (I couldn't find the specifics I'm looking for) or if they're dumb questions, but I'd really appreciate some advice. It seems the XHA1 records video to either mini-DV tapes or a DTE drive. Seeing as DTE drives seem to be extremely expensive (to me anyways), I'm looking more toward mini-DV and then transferring it for editing via firewire. However, I've read that doing this can wear the heads of the camera. Is this true? How quickly and how much damage does it do? Is it repairable? Are there any better solutions, like an external mini-DV player of some kind that could be used for firewire transfer instead?</p> <p>One last question: what do you think are the best type and brands of mini-DV tapes for recording HD? Is the cost difference between standard and HD tape really worth it? We're trying to make our independent feature as professional-looking as possible but on a pretty limited budget, so are investing in the most important quality mark areas (some purchase, some rental). I don't want to go to all the effort of getting good footage only for it to be ruined by crappy media.</p> <p>Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-long-cables-for-live-broadcast#post-71725 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:41:09 +0000 Kenkyusha 71725@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Unfortunately, the Canon HV series won't do HD component out, though you can use HDMI for a run that long.</p> <p>(Take this with a grain of salt, I've never done this with my HV) a rough guess is that long HDMI cables (with a repeater/booster partway down the chain- most are rated by length) will stand you in the best stead.  Once that part is dealt with, the Intensity's HDMI in should do the trick. </p> <p>One more thing- you'll be able to get the full 1920 x 1080 sample off the chip with HDMI (as opposed to the 1440 x 1080 through firewire).</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-long-cables-for-live-broadcast#post-71664 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:46:57 +0000 sneal88 71664@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> UPDATE: I visited markertek. They helped big time and I am happy with my 75' component cable. Eventually I plan to make my own as suggested by grinner.</p> <p>Two new questions:</p> <p>1. Will 100' feet of component cable hurt me? (Doing 1080 video out of Canon HV30.)</p> <p>2. Can I even mix 75' and 100' cables without there being some delay between the two?</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71560 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:35:52 +0000 pesi 71560@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> The Canopus ADVC-55 takes Composite / S-Video in and outputs to DV (Firewire). I've used it and it works just fine...</p> <p>&lt;p style="padding-left: 30px;"&gt;Pesi Unwalla<br /> &lt;p style="padding-left: 30px;"&gt;<a href="http://www.webcastlive.mediastreams.ca" title="Live Event Videocasting to reach a wider audience">WebcastLive.Mediastreams.ca</a> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71395 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:44:11 +0000 Kenkyusha 71395@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Just to add to what Composite1 said, depending on your OS, finding drivers that allow full control might take some doing- Windows 7 seems to be problematic for&nbsp;folks (though not for my desktop, it worked on&nbsp;perfectly on day&nbsp;one)&nbsp;so you may want to&nbsp;look&nbsp;for 'legacy drivers'.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71387 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:23:20 +0000 composite1 71387@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Dean,</p> <p>Unless you are horrifically clumsy or have no mechanical gene whatsoever, installing an expansion card is fairly easy. Just make sure you match up the number of PCI pins in the slot on your MoBo with the card you're looking to get. Stick with firewire only cards as having a USB/Firewire combo card defeats the whole purpose of getting a firewire controller card. Make sure your card is compatible with 32 or 64-bit operating systems or at least has the latest drivers to be downloaded that will make it so. Here's a spot where you can get a controller card without going broke:</p> <p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Supports_Firewire&amp;ci=13357&amp;N=4289361227+4289361296">BH Photo-Video Firewire PCI controller cards</a></p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71378 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:06:35 +0000 Dean 71378@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Thanks everyone.</p> <p>I did some more research on the web and re-looked at my desktop and I think I may have a PCI Express slot availableafter all.  I didn't originally recognize it as such.  I'm only familiar with the old full sized slots.  Anyway, it looks like a Firewire card that uses the PCI Express slot is a valid product.  </p> <p>Anybody have experience with the PCI Express cards?  Anything I should look out for?</p> <p>Thanks again for the advice.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71376 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:28:55 +0000 Wayne 71376@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Check out the Pinnacle Studio Moviebox Plus USB.  It has firewire, composite, s-video and L&amp;R audio inputs on one side and USB, composite, s-video, and audio outputs on the other side.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71375 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:50:53 +0000 pseudosafari 71375@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If your new computer is a desktop, you might be able to plug a card reader type device directly into your motherboard.  There are plenty of those with firewire.  They don't use a PCI slot or connect directly to USB, although they often provide extra USB ports, too.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71371 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:42:17 +0000 EarlC 71371@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>YES, there ARE firewire to/from usb connectors, converters, adapters ... whatever a person wants to call them, there's a cable that will allow connectivity between one and the other. That being said ...</p> <p>There will probably be some potential for information degradation (not image, per se, as it is a digital thing and not analog we're talking about) and most definitely, unless you're going from firewire to usb3, well probably most definitely, a slower connection and that might have some negative effect on your editing efforts.</p> <p>Even Walmart has a multi-adapter cable made by Sima that allows for interconnecting between firewire and usb, for less than $25. Amazon.com advertises usb firewire adapters and shows a usb 2.0 to ieee 1394 4-pin extension cable, as well as some other multi-connection options if you search.</p> <p>Question is, how well does any of these work? That, my friend, I cannot say as I've not attempted this, nor do I have any friends in the video business who can vouch for them. Other places to check might be B&amp;H Photo Video and MarkerTek.</p> <p>Maybe somebody with some serious engineering knowledge in this area will come on and give some real and informed input.</p> <p>Finally, <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-firewire-to-usb-adapter.htm">wiseGEEK dot com</a> says the two bus technologies are "not integrated" and that it's not possible to connect one to the other "directly". Then the writer goes on to say "A Firewire® to USB adapter cable for transferring digital video (DV) IS available from at least one manufacturer, but it can be expensive and difficult to find."</p> <p>So, what kind of answer is that: You can't do it, and here's how you can do it?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71370 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:40:58 +0000 shilohman 71370@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Correction, that should have read "Canopus ADVC 110 not 100.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71369 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:13:49 +0000 shilohman 71369@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>There is no such thing as a firewire to usb or usb to firewire converter. You may see advertised as such but these are misleading.</p> <p>You can find digital/analog converts like the Canopus ADVC100 which can take your firewire output from your camera and convert it to analog.</p> <p>If you go analog from your camera to computer, then your video quality is dependent on how good your camera's video hardware is.  If you go firewire to a digital/analog converter, then your video quality should be fine.</p> <ul> </ul> <p>Just my two cents, hope this helps</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/no-firewire-port-on-computer#post-71368 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:33:01 +0000 Dean 71368@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I have a Sony TRV27 camcorder that uses a IEEE1394 Firewire connection to transfer my video tapes to the computer.  Unfortunately my new computer does not have a Firewire port to connect to.  It also does not have a spare PCI slot to add a Firewire card.  I'm using Windows 7 and using Pinnacle video software.</p> <p>Is there any way to download my videos to this new computer?  Is there a Firewire to USB adapter available?  If available, will it work?</p> <p>If I'm forced to use an anolog connection, will I loose video quality?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-long-cables-for-live-broadcast#post-70888 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:48:21 +0000 sneal88 70888@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Thanks EarlC,</p> <p>That helps alot. I will check out Markertek. </p> <p>Hopefully this RG59 will give me good-enough quality to work with. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-long-cables-for-live-broadcast#post-70844 Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:31:11 +0000 EarlC 70844@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The cable Grinner refers to is your typical RG59 assembly that often comes with BNC connectors and is readily available at places such as Markertek, etc. Canare is a popular, top-quality cable, and rather than using crimp tools to create your own, as over-simplified by Grinner, I suggest spending the extra money to acquire them already made ... sturdier construct.</p> <p>The cable is more robust than your standard cabling that comes with RCA plugs. I use the RG59 cable for runs of up to 200 feet but still use RCA-to-BNC adapters to connect to various cameras. This type cable holds up better to more-than-average use, daily, even weekly, and isn't as quick to get weird kinks and twists, with wires breaking internally, and is better insulated for better quality signal transfer.</p> <p>It will NOT match up to digital connections or HDMI et al, and I don't use it very often for recording signals, mostly for long runs for feed/input or satellite export from live feed to a player or projector in other rooms.</p> <p>I also have used with good results standard issue RCA analog cable and connectors, but for runs of more than 75-100 feet I use a distribution amp to keep the signals strong.</p> <p>There are a LOT of options, and it would take a course and accompanying book to go into it all, but you can pick up a lot visiting the MarkerTek people or Google searches for various things like video connections, signals, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Hope this info helps a bit.</p>