Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 at DVinfo.net

Dan Alvis · September 11th, 2019, 05:24 PM

Ok, I just picked up a Canon XL 1. I know its an oldie but a goodie. The camera works great, but what I need to know, What is the best way to transfer the video to the computer without a firewire port. I have the cables that came with the camera. My computers no longer have a firewire port. Lenovo All In One.
Is the Dazzle capture device a reasonable option>
I don't have a lot of money in the camera, so if I have to spend a few dollars to make everything work, Its not a deal breaker.
Thanks fro any and all information.

Andrew Smith · September 11th, 2019, 05:32 PM

Change your computer to "having a firewire port".

For about $15 you can get a firewire adaptor card from a computer parts store and then install it yourself.

Andrew

Dan Alvis · September 11th, 2019, 06:27 PM

Yeah Andrew, as I stated, I cant add a port on the Lenovo all in one computer, That would be too easy.

Edward Carlson · September 11th, 2019, 08:21 PM

The "Dazzle capture device" you mention is likely a composite to USB converter. You're actually losing a lot of quality doing this, since MiniDV is digital, and composite video is analog.

The easiest way is to get a computer with a FireWire port. I think all Macs with Thunderbolt ports can connect via FireWire with the right dongles. Tower PCs with spare PCIe slots can be outfitted with FireWire PCI cards.

Pete Cofrancesco · September 11th, 2019, 08:51 PM

It be more cost effective to buy firewire card for his pc instead of buying a mac. Btw the party you missed was 20 years ago . ;-)

Patrick Tracy · September 12th, 2019, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Alvis

What is the best way to transfer the video to the computer without a firewire port.

"Best way" and "without a Firewire port" are mutually exclusive. The analog outputs won't have nearly the quality of the digital connection. I keep a couple of older XP machines around just for this purpose.

Andrew Smith · September 12th, 2019, 01:40 AM

These days any old computer would be suitable for adding a firewire card to and will have enough sustained transfer speed to capture of digital copy of the footage.

Andrew

Chris Hurd · September 12th, 2019, 07:13 AM

Hi Dan,

More of the same: those USB / FireWire adapters really need to be avoided. Not only do they *not* work well, but the potential exists for them to fry the FireWire port on your XL1.

Your single best option is to acquire an older PC to which you can install a FireWire card, or one which already has FireWire on it. Older PCs are definitely not in demand and it should be relatively easy and inexpensive to get one that's suitable. You might even be able to scrounge one for free. Something from the era of 2002 to 2006 would do nicely.

Greg Boston · September 12th, 2019, 07:56 AM

Wow, talk about memory lane! I think I still have my old XL-1 remote laying around here if you need one.

Chris’ advice is spot on as usual. An older PC or Mac would fit the bill and probably cost next to nothing.

FWIW, even though it was not an HD camera, I loved the imagery of the XL-1.

Good luck!

-gb-

Josh Bass · September 12th, 2019, 10:44 AM

Let me take a different tack and ask how much those minidv decks are going for these days? Or do those still attach via firewire to your machine (I never had one)?

Boyd Ostroff · September 12th, 2019, 12:29 PM

I think any deck that reads those old tapes will also need a firewire port. I have an old Sony deck that I still use with a 2012 Mac Mini server. That computer has a firewire port, so it's easy. On any newer thunderbolt Mac, you can get an Apple firewire converter. I also have one of these and it works fine on my MacBook Air.

One thing about those firewire to thunderbolt converters though, mine gets REALLY hot when it's connected, even if no device is plugged into it. So you should probably unplug when not in use.

I'd also go with Chris' suggestion, you can probably find a friend or family member with an old PC or Mac in the closet that they would give or loan to you. Or, for that matter, just buy the Apple firewire converter and find any friend with a Mac, since it should be compatible. You could then transfer your tape on their computer and copy it to your own portable drive. Pretty sure that iMovie can still do that and it's included with every Mac.

Aside from that... IMO, you aren't "kinda late to the party", the party has been over for a long time. It will be an ongoing pain to use gear this old.

Dan Alvis · September 12th, 2019, 03:58 PM

WOW, good information. Thanks. I do have an older Sony Viso XP computer, and it does have a firewire port. Im going to set it up tonight. I am kinda a pack rat with that stuff, glad I didn't just throw it out. So when I get it set up, do I need to download software????

Andrew Smith · September 12th, 2019, 04:55 PM

Yes. Download a copy of HDVSplit and use that.

See https://www.videohelp.com/software/HDVSplit

Ignore the "beta" label as it's always been that. No point changing at this late stage. :-) The software works.

Andrew

Chris Hurd · September 12th, 2019, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Alvis

Sony Viso XP computer

Did you mean a Sony VAIO XP? If so, that'll do nicely.

Don Palomaki · September 14th, 2019, 04:36 AM

Something like this might work if your laptop has a pcmcia slot
https://www.neweggbusiness.com/produ...=9b-39-158-012
There maybe other brands available at a better pricepoint.

September 11th, 2019, 05:24 PM	#1
Dan Alvis Tourist Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 4	Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Ok, I just picked up a Canon XL 1. I know its an oldie but a goodie. The camera works great, but what I need to know, What is the best way to transfer the video to the computer without a firewire port. I have the cables that came with the camera. My computers no longer have a firewire port. Lenovo All In One. Is the Dazzle capture device a reasonable option> I don't have a lot of money in the camera, so if I have to spend a few dollars to make everything work, Its not a deal breaker. Thanks fro any and all information.

September 11th, 2019, 05:32 PM	#2
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,066	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Change your computer to "having a firewire port". For about $15 you can get a firewire adaptor card from a computer parts store and then install it yourself. Andrew

September 11th, 2019, 06:27 PM	#3
Dan Alvis Tourist Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 4	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Yeah Andrew, as I stated, I cant add a port on the Lenovo all in one computer, That would be too easy.

September 11th, 2019, 08:21 PM	#4
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 The "Dazzle capture device" you mention is likely a composite to USB converter. You're actually losing a lot of quality doing this, since MiniDV is digital, and composite video is analog. The easiest way is to get a computer with a FireWire port. I think all Macs with Thunderbolt ports can connect via FireWire with the right dongles. Tower PCs with spare PCIe slots can be outfitted with FireWire PCI cards.

September 11th, 2019, 08:51 PM	#5
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 It be more cost effective to buy firewire card for his pc instead of buying a mac. Btw the party you missed was 20 years ago . ;-)

September 12th, 2019, 01:40 AM	#7
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,066	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 These days any old computer would be suitable for adding a firewire card to and will have enough sustained transfer speed to capture of digital copy of the footage. Andrew

September 12th, 2019, 07:13 AM	#8
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Hi Dan, More of the same: those USB / FireWire adapters really need to be avoided. Not only do they not work well, but the potential exists for them to fry the FireWire port on your XL1. Your single best option is to acquire an older PC to which you can install a FireWire card, or one which already has FireWire on it. Older PCs are definitely not in demand and it should be relatively easy and inexpensive to get one that's suitable. You might even be able to scrounge one for free. Something from the era of 2002 to 2006 would do nicely. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 12th, 2019, 07:56 AM	#9
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Wow, talk about memory lane! I think I still have my old XL-1 remote laying around here if you need one. Chris’ advice is spot on as usual. An older PC or Mac would fit the bill and probably cost next to nothing. FWIW, even though it was not an HD camera, I loved the imagery of the XL-1. Good luck! -gb-

September 12th, 2019, 10:44 AM	#10
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Let me take a different tack and ask how much those minidv decks are going for these days? Or do those still attach via firewire to your machine (I never had one)? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

September 12th, 2019, 12:29 PM	#11
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 I think any deck that reads those old tapes will also need a firewire port. I have an old Sony deck that I still use with a 2012 Mac Mini server. That computer has a firewire port, so it's easy. On any newer thunderbolt Mac, you can get an Apple firewire converter. I also have one of these and it works fine on my MacBook Air. One thing about those firewire to thunderbolt converters though, mine gets REALLY hot when it's connected, even if no device is plugged into it. So you should probably unplug when not in use. I'd also go with Chris' suggestion, you can probably find a friend or family member with an old PC or Mac in the closet that they would give or loan to you. Or, for that matter, just buy the Apple firewire converter and find any friend with a Mac, since it should be compatible. You could then transfer your tape on their computer and copy it to your own portable drive. Pretty sure that iMovie can still do that and it's included with every Mac. Aside from that... IMO, you aren't "kinda late to the party", the party has been over for a long time. It will be an ongoing pain to use gear this old.

September 12th, 2019, 03:58 PM	#12
Dan Alvis Tourist Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 4	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 WOW, good information. Thanks. I do have an older Sony Viso XP computer, and it does have a firewire port. Im going to set it up tonight. I am kinda a pack rat with that stuff, glad I didn't just throw it out. So when I get it set up, do I need to download software????

September 12th, 2019, 04:55 PM	#13
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,066	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Yes. Download a copy of HDVSplit and use that. See https://www.videohelp.com/software/HDVSplit Ignore the "beta" label as it's always been that. No point changing at this late stage. :-) The software works. Andrew

September 14th, 2019, 04:36 AM	#15
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Re: Im kinda late to the party,,,,Canon XL 1 Something like this might work if your laptop has a pcmcia slot https://www.neweggbusiness.com/produ...=9b-39-158-012 There maybe other brands available at a better pricepoint. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com