Hi good video folk, this is my first post.

I recently had the need to record a composite signal from a switched 3 camera setup. I had hoped to somehow record into the FS-5 and made a technical plan to put composite into my Sony miniDV camcorder and have the FS-5 record the signal.

Oops - that didn't work! When the firewire FS-5 was connected to the Sony, the Sony would not take the video input.

I ended up using a lousy USB capture device to record direct to a laptop, but it was rife with quality problems.

Has anyone attempted anything like this with success?

thanks!
-james

James,

In our edit lab, we use the following...

1. Data Video - Video Converter

With this device, we can plug any composite source from VCR, DVD or camera and record directly to the FS-5 through the firewire port on the Converter Box. We keep an FS-5 unit attached to the Converter Box for easy transfer.

2. Sony GV-D1000 MiniDV player/recorder

With this device, we play our MiniDV tape and record to the FS-5 through the firewire port.
However, we cannont connect a composite source to this device and also record. The composite source would have to be first recorded to MiniDV tape, then the tape played while the FS-5 records.

Perhaps this is the same with the Sony MiniDV camera you are using. It may not allow a composite signal to go out through the firewire port. If so, you can always record to MiniDV tape (always a good backup) and then record to the FS-5.

Hope this helps.