Video transfer from TRV460E to PC / VCD

4 Dec 2005 5:34 PM

Chris

Hi,

I have a Sony TRV460E Digital 8 camcorder and have just started playing
around with transfering the recorded tapes to my PC / VCD's.

The problem that I currently have is that the video that is captured to
the PC is much darker than that which is played back on the camcorder
LCD screen. If I burn to VCD directly from the camcorder via Picture
Package and play that back on my TV system, the video is also much
darker than on the recorder itself.

I have tried various software options: Picture Package, Win XP Movie
Maker and Pinnacle Studio 8, all produce and image which I darker. I
have used the calibration tool for the USB stream and set this the best
picture, but no luck.

Any help would be appreciated.

Chris

4 Dec 2005 6:20 PM

PTravel

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"Chris" <chrisd1***@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1133717683.233675.310850@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a Sony TRV460E Digital 8 camcorder and have just started playing
> around with transfering the recorded tapes to my PC / VCD's.
>
> The problem that I currently have is that the video that is captured to
> the PC is much darker than that which is played back on the camcorder
> LCD screen. If I burn to VCD directly from the camcorder via Picture
> Package and play that back on my TV system, the video is also much
> darker than on the recorder itself.
>
> I have tried various software options: Picture Package, Win XP Movie
> Maker and Pinnacle Studio 8, all produce and image which I darker. I
> have used the calibration tool for the USB stream and set this the best
> picture, but no luck.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.

Video will always look darker on a computer display -- the gamma is
completely different from video monitors. I don't make VCDs -- I burn to
DVD -- and I've never had a problem with video being darker after capture.
Studio 8 and Movie Maker certainly won't "darken" it, though you should be
capturing via the 1394/Firewire port, and not via USB.

Show quoteHide quote

>
> Chris
>

6 Dec 2005 6:09 PM

4rene

You sound like you know what you're doing; I have a Sony HC32 Mini DVD
camera; is it better to use firewire? Unfortunately since I purchased
it a year ago I have yet to be able to burn a VCD and the DVD option is
"greyed" out on my camera. And I have tried upgrading my computer,
using other programs (most recently Nero) to no avail. Any pointers are
GREATLY appreciated!

7 Dec 2005 1:40 AM

ptravel

4rene wrote:

> You sound like you know what you're doing; I have a Sony HC32 Mini DVD
> camera; is it better to use firewire?

Absolutely. 1394/Firewire is the standard for full-res transfer of
video to computers. USB is intended, primarily, for stills, webcam
use, etc.

> Unfortunately since I purchased
> it a year ago I have yet to be able to burn a VCD and the DVD option is
> "greyed" out on my camera.

Hunh? I don't understand what you're doing. Once the video is in the
computer, the process of burning a DVD doesn't involve the camera.

> And I have tried upgrading my computer,
> using other programs (most recently Nero) to no avail. Any pointers are
> GREATLY appreciated!

I've written about the process a number of times. I'd suggest you do a
google search. Also, there are lots of websites around that explain
how it's done. It's not a black art, and not particularly complicated
once you understand the steps.

12 Dec 2005 9:28 PM

4rene

Thanks for the response! I appreciate ALL the pointers I can get!

6 Dec 2005 6:09 PM

4rene

You sound like you know what you're doing; I have a Sony HC32 Mini DVD
camera; is it better to use firewire? Unfortunately since I purchased
it a year ago I have yet to be able to burn a VCD and the DVD option is
"greyed" out on my camera. And I have tried upgrading my computer,
using other programs (most recently Nero) to no avail. Any pointers are
GREATLY appreciated!