direct-to-computer camcorder?

26 Jul 2006 2:34 AM

Chris Jones

Hi there --

I'm planning to get a digital video camcorder to record insect (fruit
fly) behavior in the laboratory, and I have a question which I haven't
been able to suss out answers to so far, and I'm hoping that someone
here will be able to point me in the right direction.

My major concern/confusion has to do with recording formats. Ideally I
would like to just record directly to a computer, as the camera will be
immobile and indoors, but I've never seen that mentioned as an option. I
presume that it's not a possibility because the vast majority of users
want to be able to move around while recording video, but I'd be happy
to be wrong.

Failing that, what will give me the longest recording time at high
resolution? It looks like both Digital8 and mini-DV would be an hour per
tape; if I need more time than that, am I going to be forced to get one
of the new hard-drive models?

Thanks for any insights,

Chris Jones

26 Jul 2006 12:19 PM

davesvideo@aol.com

Chris Jones wrote:

> My major concern/confusion has to do with recording formats. Ideally I
> would like to just record directly to a computer, as the camera will be
> immobile and indoors, but I've never seen that mentioned as an option. I
> presume that it's not a possibility because the vast majority of users
> want to be able to move around while recording video, but I'd be happy
> to be wrong.

Obviously not a ready option for those who want to move around and go
outside, but for your function it should be a snap. Video editing
programs transfer data from the tape to the computer via firewire. If
instead of playing a tape, you set the recorder to camera mode, the
input to the computer will be live. At about 13 Gig per hour a 200 GB
had drive should let you record about 23 hours, no tape needed. If you
want to go out in the field chasing insects, I guess maybe you could
use a lap top.

Dave

26 Jul 2006 1:36 PM

Mr. Tapeguy

davesvi***@aol.com wrote:

>
> Obviously not a ready option for those who want to move around and go
> outside, but for your function it should be a snap. Video editing
> programs transfer data from the tape to the computer via firewire. If
> instead of playing a tape, you set the recorder to camera mode, the
> input to the computer will be live. At about 13 Gig per hour a 200 GB
> had drive should let you record about 23 hours, no tape needed. If you
> want to go out in the field chasing insects, I guess maybe you could
> use a lap top.

Chris,

I would offer one additional option.

Ideally your scratch drive is not used for content. I would suggest
looking into an additional hard drive recorder such as a Focus
Enhancements unit. It can be mobile as is your camcorder if need be
and functionally works the same as an external drive when capturing or
editing. It has some indexing features that a second hard drive
wouldn't have although the extra features due come with a price. Data
can be transferred to another drive as easy as any other file.

Get a second hard drive for sure and if the mobility is a concern, look
at a hard drive recorder such as this.

Craig

http://www.pro-tape.com

26 Jul 2006 5:54 PM

PTravel

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"Chris Jones" <kurit***@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:kuritaro-C09751.22342125072006@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx...
> Hi there --
>
> I'm planning to get a digital video camcorder to record insect (fruit
> fly) behavior in the laboratory, and I have a question which I haven't
> been able to suss out answers to so far, and I'm hoping that someone
> here will be able to point me in the right direction.
>
> My major concern/confusion has to do with recording formats. Ideally I
> would like to just record directly to a computer, as the camera will be
> immobile and indoors, but I've never seen that mentioned as an option. I
> presume that it's not a possibility because the vast majority of users
> want to be able to move around while recording video, but I'd be happy
> to be wrong.

It's very easy to do. Any digital camcorder with a 1394/Firewire port
(which should be virtually all of them), can provide a real-time digital
video stream to a computer. All you need is the correct capture software.
I've done this frequently when I needed to record more than an hour of video
without changing tapes -- I just went directly into my laptop via 1394.
Note that most camcorders with USB ports do not stream high-quality video --
the USB stream is intended to be used for webcams and still-photo transfer.

Show quoteHide quote

>
> Failing that, what will give me the longest recording time at high
> resolution? It looks like both Digital8 and mini-DV would be an hour per
> tape; if I need more time than that, am I going to be forced to get one
> of the new hard-drive models?
>
> Thanks for any insights,
>
> Chris Jones

27 Jul 2006 3:56 PM

Tzortzakakis Dimitrios

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Ï "Chris Jones" <kurit***@earthlink.net> Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
news:kuritaro-C09751.22342125072006@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx..
..
> Hi there --
>
> I'm planning to get a digital video camcorder to record insect (fruit
> fly) behavior in the laboratory, and I have a question which I haven't
> been able to suss out answers to so far, and I'm hoping that someone
> here will be able to point me in the right direction.
>
> My major concern/confusion has to do with recording formats. Ideally I
> would like to just record directly to a computer, as the camera will be
> immobile and indoors, but I've never seen that mentioned as an option. I
> presume that it's not a possibility because the vast majority of users
> want to be able to move around while recording video, but I'd be happy
> to be wrong.
>
> Failing that, what will give me the longest recording time at high
> resolution? It looks like both Digital8 and mini-DV would be an hour per
> tape; if I need more time than that, am I going to be forced to get one
> of the new hard-drive models?

Here (PAL country)there are 80 mins mini DV cassetes but are outrageous
expensive (12 euros each).There is an offer, three 60 min tapes plus one 80
min for 15 euros.I think in digital 8 you get what you would with analogue 8
mm?Also 90 min tapes?But digital 8 may become obsolete since only sony
manufactures it, and in the shop I worked we sold one and on the box it
said:"Cannot playback analogue 8mm recordings", so what would be the
purpose?I strongly recommend you stick to mini DV tape, it has superb
quality and is very cheap, much cheaper than a hard drive with compared
capacity and much better IMHO for permanent storage.

--
Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
major in electrical engineering,freelance electrician
542nd mechanized infantry batallion
dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr