VCR-DVD using a camera as a converter

D.K.

Hi,
Not wanting to pay the high amounts shops charge to convert VCR to DVD, I noticed my DV camera, (Canon MV850i) has an analogue-digital converter.

Having followed the VCR setup menu, plugged the camera into the VCR via a scart-phono adaptor and plugged the camera into the PC via the (ms equivalent) Firewire socket I cannot get the computer to see the signal.
It is aware of the DV devise but no connection.

I've tried NERO and U-Lead Video Studio9 but no luck. Anyone got any ideas? or maybe I should buy one of the A/D gadjets for about £40.00 I think?

All suggestions appreciated,
Cheers,
D.

penrhyn

Does the camera see the signal playing back from the VCR?
Have to set the in/out switch on the scart adaptor the right way.
If you playback a video from your camera does that work?

D.K.

Hi penrhyn,
No the camera doesn't see the VCR and the adaptor doesn't have a switch so you could be right and the adaptor is maybe one way.
The PC will load from the camera.
I'll need to try another adaptor!
Thanks,
D

penrhyn

Guess you need one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PLATED-SWITCHED-SCART-PHONO-ADAPTOR/dp/B000V6ILRC/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231430914&sr=8-11

D.K.

Yup...I think I have one. Maybe not gold though.
I'll have a look tomorrow then I need to humph the tele and the VCR through to the PC and start all over again!
Let you know...Ta

robredz

You may not be able to do this as due to an EU tax which regards a camcorder as a vcr if AV in is enabled. To avoid the tax the manufacturers disabled the av in, some were in software so could be unlocked like region coding in dvd players; others are disabled through hardware and cannot be unlocked.

D.K.

I've just wired it all up again...even in gold. In ULead I get a message saying DV devise is unavailable.
I'm only trying to capture on old home movie, so there shouldn't be copyright probs and so I don't understand therefore why I should pay tax?
My camera does have an AV in to digital out.
With the proper adapter I still get a blue screen, but it now flickers, occasionally....progress?

robredz

It's not copyright issues it's the greedy EU wanting to tax camcorders as if they are VCR's.

Sput2001

In theory it should work. I do pretty much eactly what you're doing with my Sony camcorder as a converter betwen my VCR and PC. It works pretty well.

I use Ulead DVD Movie Factory, but I can't see why your software shouldn't work.

Is there a setting on your camcorder that needs to be enabled (or disabled) for DV Out?

D.K.

NickMidgley wrote: »

In theory it should work. I do pretty much eactly what you're doing with my Sony camcorder as a converter betwen my VCR and PC. It works pretty well.

I use Ulead DVD Movie Factory, but I can't see why your software shouldn't work.

Is there a setting on your camcorder that needs to be enabled (or disabled) for DV Out?

Glad to hear you're having success! Yes my camera does have a setting AV-DV.

"It's not copyright issues it's the greedy EU wanting to tax camcorders as if they are VCR's"
Robredz, do they also tax DVD's for the same reason?
I've an old AIWA VCR, looks like that may be the problem then.

penrhyn

For what its worth I've used my Canon MV960 to convert VHS without difficulty.