Importing Video with GL2? at DVinfo.net

John Lee · December 16th, 2002, 01:06 AM

I'm purchasing a canon GL2, and I plan on using my PC for capturing video from the camera via a firewire connetion.
I just realized that the firewire connection is 400 mbps, and I know there is no way my hard drive can possibly write at that speed. Is this going to be a problem, or does the camera not actually use all that bandwidth? I'm very concerned about dropping frames. I have an XP1800+ with a kt333 mobo and 512 mbs of pc2700 RAM.

Also, which firewire cable do I need to purchase for the camera? Canon lists two kinds, a 4 to 6 pin and a 4 to 4 pin. Which is it?

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

Ken Tanaka · December 16th, 2002, 02:11 AM

Kurt,
Capturing DV will be no problem for Firewire. It only takes about 3.5Mbs of bandwidth. The biggest issue to inspect will be your disk space. To avoid problems make sure you have ample disk space, preferably on a drive other than your main system drive. Then make sure your editing software is set to use that drive rather than its default settings.

Re: the Firewire cable type you'll need, that depends on the type of connection at your computer. If your PC's card has a tiny rectangular Firewire port with a slight dimple on one side you'll need a 4-pin to 4-pin cable. If it has larger rectangular ports with one end of the rectangles rounded you'll need a 4-pin to 6-pin cable. The GL2 has a 4-pin connection at its end. (A 4-pin connection handles only signal, versus a 6-pin connection which handles signal and power.)

John Lee · December 16th, 2002, 09:48 AM

Thanks for the info Ken.

December 16th, 2002, 01:06 AM	#1
John Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 152	Importing Video with GL2? I'm purchasing a canon GL2, and I plan on using my PC for capturing video from the camera via a firewire connetion. I just realized that the firewire connection is 400 mbps, and I know there is no way my hard drive can possibly write at that speed. Is this going to be a problem, or does the camera not actually use all that bandwidth? I'm very concerned about dropping frames. I have an XP1800+ with a kt333 mobo and 512 mbs of pc2700 RAM. Also, which firewire cable do I need to purchase for the camera? Canon lists two kinds, a 4 to 6 pin and a 4 to 4 pin. Which is it? Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

December 16th, 2002, 02:11 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Kurt, Capturing DV will be no problem for Firewire. It only takes about 3.5Mbs of bandwidth. The biggest issue to inspect will be your disk space. To avoid problems make sure you have ample disk space, preferably on a drive other than your main system drive. Then make sure your editing software is set to use that drive rather than its default settings. Re: the Firewire cable type you'll need, that depends on the type of connection at your computer. If your PC's card has a tiny rectangular Firewire port with a slight dimple on one side you'll need a 4-pin to 4-pin cable. If it has larger rectangular ports with one end of the rectangles rounded you'll need a 4-pin to 6-pin cable. The GL2 has a 4-pin connection at its end. (A 4-pin connection handles only signal, versus a 6-pin connection which handles signal and power.) __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 16th, 2002, 09:48 AM	#3
John Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 152	Thanks for the info Ken.