i have a VHS tape that i'm playing back and outputting via RCA and S-Video into XL1s and then i'm connecting XL1s to computer thinking i can dub my VHS live into the computer. it wasn't working. can this be done?

No, this can't be done. BUT, you can go through tape. So you can
record (only on the S model!) the incoming analog signal to tape
first. Then you can capture that tape. It is all in the manual, a bit
crude, but it is there.

with all that technology and this simple thing can't be done? *sigh* i expect too much sometimes =).

Well, there is probably a good reason for that. If they could've
easily included that they would probably have done it 3 years
ago.

There are ofcourse several analog to DV convertors and DV
decks which can do that and work great in your edit suite to
use as a video output for a monitor / TV.

The XL1S can do it (the XL1 couldn't). Just not in one go.... Sorry.

Well Ive done it a few times. Just press record on the xl1 without pressing play to record to tape.

Hugo: are you saying you did this without recording to tape
and capturing that? In other words you did this directly from
analog to digital?

If so please take a look at this thread (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20972).

Now try to reproduce your steps and write down exactly what
you did since only that editor in that thread seems to be able
to do it and nobody else.

p.s. as you can see I also did a test with having the camera
in record-pause mode but it just displayed black on my computer.

doesn't work.

Damn my mistake. I've done it, but with my GL-2.

I'm very sorry

Thought so Hugo. Thanks for checking and clearing it up!

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman : Well, there is probably a good reason for that. If they could've
easily included that they would probably have done it 3 years
ago.

There are ofcourse several analog to DV convertors and DV
decks which can do that and work great in your edit suite to
use as a video output for a monitor / TV.

The XL1S can do it (the XL1 couldn't). Just not in one go.... Sorry. -->>>

A cheaper alternative to analog to DV converters and DV decks is a low-cost miniDV camera that has analog to digital pass-through.

I use a JVC GRD70. Any video source that goes into it goes out as a digital signal, which I can grab using "Capture Now" in Final Cut Pro's Log & Capture window.

It also functions as a video output for my monitor/TV. One can pick up a GRD70 or similar camcorder for less than $300. Even if you can find an analog to DV converter for a similar price, you'd be sacrificing a few pretty handy functions, because a miniDV camcorder also works as a capture and print-to-video deck, not to mention a backup / 2nd camera when you're out on a shoot.

i just got the canon optura 10 for that purpose. dunno if all the features work yet... will test it soon.

hi guys, i have just tested the optura 10, it does include the a/d passthrough. it is AWESOME!!!! WOO HOO!!!! i'm connecting my S-VHS to the cam and then it is passing the signal through firewire!!! wowowowowo!!! i had hoped that xl2 would do this but oh well!!! =). rock n roll guys! thx!

congratulations. it's always great when you get stuff to work.