Video tape to binary file

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xdzgor

23 posts

Geek

#60969 6-May-2010 15:55

Hi

I have an old Digital-8 video camera called a Sony DCR-TRV520E. I have not used it for at least a year, and any videoing I do now, I do with my digital still camera which has a very good video capability.

Anyway, I have about 50 old video tapes, which I'd like to transfer to my harddisk. Where do I start! I have no idea what to do, or how to do it, what hardware I require, or what format to copy to etc. (Would it be Mpeg4 files - aren't they "video"?)

So - any help, pointers, urls for a complete novice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Peter

lurker

831 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#327426 6-May-2010 16:06

As far as the hardware goes, I transferred my old tapes using an old Leadtek TV tuner card with video-in capability. The software that came with the card had a recording facility, so it was just a case of connecting the camcorder to the card and hitting record.

I think these days DSE/Jaycar sell USB video capture devices as well.

openmedia

3331 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#327430 6-May-2010 16:12

xdzgor: Hi

I have an old Digital-8 video camera called a Sony DCR-TRV520E. I have not used it for at least a year, and any videoing I do now, I do with my digital still camera which has a very good video capability.

Anyway, I have about 50 old video tapes, which I'd like to transfer to my harddisk. Where do I start! I have no idea what to do, or how to do it, what hardware I require, or what format to copy to etc. (Would it be Mpeg4 files - aren't they "video"?)

So - any help, pointers, urls for a complete novice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Peter

What connections does your camera have, and can it support firewire. If it does then you should be able to copy video off at resonably high quality.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

xdzgor

23 posts

Geek

#327432 6-May-2010 16:16

Connections - the camera has several: "s-video id-2", "audio/video id-2", "LANC/Digital I/O", "DV in/out".

I'm still trying to find some specs online to help me identify what these ports actually are.

lurker

831 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#327494 6-May-2010 18:40

Oh, I wrongly presumed this was ancient gear... According to AVForums it does have firewire (which I guess is the DV in/out) so as long as your PC has a firewire port you're set. If you don't have ports then you should be able to get an addon card easy enough.

Not sure what platform you're running but if it's something like Windows XP upwards when you connect the camcorder through firewire and turn it on, the PC detects it and will give you some options (eg on Windows XP it offers to import video using Windows Movie Maker).