Can I connect my VCR to an A1 and pass the VCR tape video/audio through the cam to my Mac (or even onto the mini-DV tape)?

I'm trying to decide whether I'll have to by a converter box too or whether the cam can do it.

The HC1 doesn't have passthrough, so I assume the A1 doesn't either.

Hmmm. That's too bad. Oh well.
I read the specs a little closer and given it's A/V out can I assume it would allow me to go the other way? -NLE > Cam > Production Monitior.

yes, you can use the a1u to record directly from a vcr. don't know if it has passthrough, but once you record, you've got a digitial file that you can log and capture into your NLE.

I will try it later tonight. I have to put an old movie of my wifes on dvd from VHS. Will post the answer later on.

Thanks

I will try it later tonight. I have to put an old movie of my wifes on dvd from VHS. Will post the answer later on.

Thanks
Any luck with this Michael? I'm inches away from buying a Canopus but if the A1 can do it I'll skip the Canopus and wait till I buy the cam (2 weeks :)).

I'm getting confused.

You are asking if you can display your NLE timeline on a production monitor by connecting from computer to camera by firewire, and camera to monitor by component? Right?

If so, I don't think that's what Micheal was going to test....

Any luck with this Michael? I'm inches away from buying a Canopus but if the A1 can do it I'll skip the Canopus and wait till I buy the cam (2 weeks :)).

Darren...sorry about that, but I did not have a chance to look at it earlier this week. I just hooked everything up to my vhs player and computer, but am not able to pass video through. I have tried several settings change, but I keep getting a no video output from the camera. There may be a way, but I sure do not know how to pass it through. Sorry about that.

Mike

Thanks Michael, I was guessing it wouldn't work :(

Graham, I suppose that, bottom line I would have liked both options. My friends GL1 can do both. Not that the lack of pass through is a deal killer for me a the A1.

Thanks Michael, I was guessing it wouldn't work :(

Graham, I suppose that, bottom line I would have liked both options. My friends GL1 can do both. Not that the lack of pass through is a deal killer for me a the A1.

It would be nice, but there are so many other options to get vhs to your computer for a decent price. Definately don't let that come into play.

Definately don't let that come into play.Yup, just ordered a Canopus ADVC-300 A/d Converter. This gives better converting options than one through a cam anyway.

I have an ADVC-100 just for such tasks. Two years running and still very reliable. It won't defeat macro protection though, I've tried salvaging some of my purchased movies on VHS, the keepers (caddyshack, etc.) . I have to pass them through a dedicated TBC. Otherwise, for home movies and personal stuff, these little boxes rock.

I have our old digital camcorder that works fine. Also have a direct connection to my video card

OK, the Canopus arrived but now I've another question that's similar to my original post, hence the thread-jacking :)

My client wants edited, mini-DV tapes back from me. I'm minutes from ordering the A1 but I need to make sure I can 'print to video,' as FCP calls it, with this cam.

My projected method:
Import from VCR into FCP through the Canopus > Edit in FCP > 'Print to Video' from FCP into the A1.

Since I'm pretty new at this, I'm unsure as to whether the Firewire port on all cams (specifically the A1) works both ways. I know I have device control through FCP > Firewire but I don't know if that actually lets me record to the cam from FCP.

Unlike the original question, this is the deciding factor for my A1 purchase. Will the A1 do it or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks.

I've used a VCR, Hi-8 and even a BETACAM deck through any number of DV cameras/decks, and even the HD10, to convert footage from analog to DV. But you can't upconvert it to HD. For that, try the JVC BR50 deck.

heath

All I need to be able to do is record SD on the cam from FCP.
My firewire cable is on its way so once it gets here I'll try it.

I really could not tell you either. I would think you could, again...I am not for sure. I just know that you cannot go from VCR to comp via this camcorder like you can with other dv camcorders. You can put your footage back to your minidv so there is probably a way to do what you are asking. You may want to go to the hdv editing forums and ask or search around. I go to the "what happens in vegas" in the hd editing group. I use Sony Vegas though...

>>I'm minutes from ordering the A1 but I need to make sure I can 'print to video,' as FCP calls it, with this cam.

Not sure why no-one answered you on this straightforward question sooner.

I can confirm that you can 'print to video' via firewire to the A1 from Premiere Pro. Unfortunately I dont use FCP .... however I *assume* it has this capability also.

Thanks Graham. Searching Apple's FCP confirmed it too (sort of).
My A1 is here but I've got too much else to do with other things at the moment to thoroughly test it out. I'll have a good go with it this weekend.

I've printed to video with Z1, FX1 and A1 footage from FCP.

heath