ok so I read in my canon xl2 manual that you could convert vcr tapes to your mini dv tapes threw the Canon, but i tried everything there is and i can't get it. Does anyone know how to do this and if so please tell me...b\c i wanna get my 8 mm tapes onto the mini dv tapes so i can put them on the computer

Plug the RCA cables from the VCR into the input of the Canon. Switch the camera to VCR mode. You should be able to see the output of the VCR on the camera. You don't have to record to MiniDV first, you can use the camera as a pass-through converter. Simply plug a FireWire cable into the camera and a computer. The VCR tape can now be captured directly to the computer. There might be some menu settings that you have to change, like DV output or something. Read your manual again.

thanks, i'll try that and see what happens

You'll also need to be sure to set your input settings correctly on the switch panel so that the XL2 knows that the signal is supposed to be coming from those RCA inputs.

As far as menu settings, I don't remember the actual name of the menu settings, but you will find it while in VCR mode. You'll have to turn on the AV>DV mode to activate the pass-through feature.

-Jon

BTW: I think the title of your thread post was inadvertently reversed, since what you are actually asking about is converting the analogue tapes into digital video. It threw me for a moment.

Thread title changed -- from:

Converting your dv digital tapes to analog

to:

Converting your analog tapes to digital

Wow, Chris. You're on it ! That was fast.

-Jon