Capturing with other cameras at DVinfo.net

Travis Halverson · April 25th, 2008, 03:13 PM

I have heard that the VCR in the GL2 is delicate and can wear out after much use. I was wondering if capturing the video onto the computer will have any effect on the video quality. The camera that I would use is a little $500 sony camera that I bought a couple of years ago. Thanks

Travis Cossel · April 25th, 2008, 11:54 PM

I've been using a GL2 as a deck for about 5 years now with no real issues. For what it's worth.

Frank Simpson · April 26th, 2008, 05:32 PM

I bought a JVC GR-D347U (for about $200 new) to use for capture. It works very well. I have had just a very few issues with dropped frames, but now as I think of it, not in quite some time.

Not only does this keep the wear down on my GL-2s, I can leave it permanently attached to my computer. This configuration works very well for me.

Don Palomaki · April 27th, 2008, 06:19 PM

Many users to use a cheap camcorder as a playback/capture unit to save wear on the main camcorder, and the cheap unit can weork as a backup or works as a B-camera in a pinch.

For most hobby types this is not necessary, but the spare camcorder is essential for people shooting events and other serious work.

Dale Guthormsen · April 30th, 2008, 07:46 AM

I use a zr 800 as a deck.

I also use it to strip a used tape before reusing them before shooting with them. Doing this I have not had a problem with a reused tape.
Must add I always use a new tape on any paying job!!

Wear is wear, i do not use my shooters for the computer work.

Travis Halverson · April 30th, 2008, 10:26 AM

But does capturing with the lower quality camera have an effect on the video quality?

Mike Cavanaugh · April 30th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Travis,
In a word - no. The capturing is merely a transfer of digital 1's and 0's. What your camera records to tape is where the quality of the GL2 in important. Once it is on tape, it is there.

Don Palomaki · April 30th, 2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

But does capturing with the lower quality camera have an effect on the video quality?

Not if you do a firewire capture. It might if you try to capture from an analog playback stream, which is not likely for most users.

The only other possible issue is if the playback camcorder is having difficulty reading the tape, and that is not a common issue for tapes recorded at SP speed and if the heads are clean. But this would not be a reduced video quality issue so much as a no video or breaks in video issue.

Gian Pietri · May 1st, 2008, 12:14 PM

I use a Sony DCR-HC20 and a Canon ZR-60 to rewind and capture to PC. Works perfect each time. I never use the GL-2 for anything other than record. I got the Sony for $80 used on ebay.

April 25th, 2008, 03:13 PM	#1
Travis Halverson New Boot Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: White Bear Lake, MN Posts: 12	Capturing with other cameras I have heard that the VCR in the GL2 is delicate and can wear out after much use. I was wondering if capturing the video onto the computer will have any effect on the video quality. The camera that I would use is a little $500 sony camera that I bought a couple of years ago. Thanks

April 25th, 2008, 11:54 PM	#2
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	I've been using a GL2 as a deck for about 5 years now with no real issues. For what it's worth. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

April 27th, 2008, 06:19 PM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Many users to use a cheap camcorder as a playback/capture unit to save wear on the main camcorder, and the cheap unit can weork as a backup or works as a B-camera in a pinch. For most hobby types this is not necessary, but the spare camcorder is essential for people shooting events and other serious work. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

April 30th, 2008, 07:46 AM	#5
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	I use a zr 800 as a deck. I also use it to strip a used tape before reusing them before shooting with them. Doing this I have not had a problem with a reused tape. Must add I always use a new tape on any paying job!! Wear is wear, i do not use my shooters for the computer work. __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

April 30th, 2008, 10:45 AM	#7
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	Travis, In a word - no. The capturing is merely a transfer of digital 1's and 0's. What your camera records to tape is where the quality of the GL2 in important. Once it is on tape, it is there. __________________ Remember, nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool!

April 26th, 2008, 05:32 PM	#3
Frank Simpson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 217	I bought a JVC GR-D347U (for about $200 new) to use for capture. It works very well. I have had just a very few issues with dropped frames, but now as I think of it, not in quite some time. Not only does this keep the wear down on my GL-2s, I can leave it permanently attached to my computer. This configuration works very well for me.

April 30th, 2008, 10:26 AM	#6
Travis Halverson New Boot Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: White Bear Lake, MN Posts: 12	But does capturing with the lower quality camera have an effect on the video quality?

May 1st, 2008, 12:14 PM	#9
Gian Pietri New Boot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: kissimmee florida Posts: 7	I use a Sony DCR-HC20 and a Canon ZR-60 to rewind and capture to PC. Works perfect each time. I never use the GL-2 for anything other than record. I got the Sony for $80 used on ebay. __________________ WWW.BUTTERSCOTCHBROS.COM