What is the DV Control menu setting on the XL-1s at DVinfo.net

James Emory · March 8th, 2005, 11:07 AM

I was looking throught the menu of an XL-1s and saw a menu item that said DV Control on/off. What is this setting for? I was thinking that it enables Lanc control devices.

Greg Boston · March 8th, 2005, 12:00 PM

Naw James, It enables control of another device's record/stop functions via firewire. So, if you were using a firestore or Canon's DV-PC recorder or DV-Rack, this menu item would need to be turned on.

My XL-2 has the same function and my answer is right out of the owner's manual.

-gb-

James Emory · March 8th, 2005, 12:02 PM

Thanks for the info.

Brad Richmond · May 15th, 2005, 07:59 PM

James and Greg,

I was unaware of this feature until your posting, so I tried it out today, linked with a small Sony Handicam DCR TVR-30. It works as advertised. There are a couple of excellent uses for this feature. When connected to an inexpensive Mini DV camera:

1. The Handicam acts as a backup when shooting something that is very critical, especially if a tape dropout will be very costly. It is twice the tape, but might be well worth it if there is no chance of shooting the segment again.

2. The Handicam provides a color monitor. If using one of the micro DV cams, you can attach it to the shoe on top of the XL1, or mount it to a tripod. Great for checking color balance or for shooting with your eye away from the XL1s viewfinder.

3. Use the Handicam as a deck and viewing station for use on location. If the client want to check the footage, they can look at the Handicam monitor or you can hook it up to an external monitor. No wear on the original tape, no extra head wear on the XL1s. The Handicam can also be mounted to the base of a Steadicam or Glidecam to provide a check on made shots, again with no risk to the original tape.

4. The Handicam is a second camera, and although the quality is not as good as the XL1s, it might be the thing that saves your rear if the XL1s shoots craps...at least you have something in your bag of tricks that can shoot video with sound. It might also be handy to grab that weird shot when the XL1s just doesn't fit. Be sure and carry audio adaptors so you can plug a quality mic into the Handicam if necessary.

5. You can buy a small Mini-DV camera for less than a portable deck with monitor. What's more, you cannot shoot video with a portable deck!

I think the DV Control is a great feature of the XL1s, and from now on I'll always bring my Handicam along on all assignments. This is an affordable method of redundancy and a useful tool.

Chris Hurd · May 19th, 2005, 11:06 PM

Excellent tips there, Brad. Well done!

Eric Holloway · June 6th, 2005, 04:27 PM

Does it also control the zoom function as well as the record/stop functions of a sony minidv cam?

Brad Richmond · June 9th, 2005, 09:33 AM

The firewire only controls the tape, feeding the video from the XL1s directly to the heads (then the tape) of the slave camera deck.

You will need to connect the audio output from the XL1s to the audio inputs of the slave camera if you wish to record the XL1s audio.

Note: I have read some postings about problems in making connections from cameras while powered up. So, it should be recommended to make sure any camera is powered down when making a connection of any kind. Better safe than sorry.

Eric Holloway · June 9th, 2005, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Richmond

You will need to connect the audio output from the XL1s to the audio inputs of the slave camera if you wish to record the XL1s audio.

This part wouldn't work for me since I have an xlr adapter connected with audio feeds... But thanks for the tip, it does sound like a good idea.

Eric

Greg Boston · June 9th, 2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Richmond

The firewire only controls the tape, feeding the video from the XL1s directly to the heads (then the tape) of the slave camera deck.

You will need to connect the audio output from the XL1s to the audio inputs of the slave camera if you wish to record the XL1s audio.

Hmmm...I don't want to contradict you Brad, but audio should be present on the firewire connection to the slave camera as well. Otherwise, none of the direct to disk recording solutions would work. I have used Canon's DVPC recorder with no problem. Are you saying your handicam won't recognize the audio stream and record it along with the video? That would make it difficult for you to output to tape from your NLE.

regards,

=gb=

Brad Richmond · June 9th, 2005, 07:22 PM

Greg,

I stand corrected. I did a quickie test with the setup, and didn't hear audio on playback of the Handicam tape. However, you are right, it should record the audio stream with the video. I'll check more closely to see if there is something different happening than what should be...

Sorry to post incorrect info. Thanks for catching it!

March 8th, 2005, 11:07 AM	#1
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	What is the DV Control menu setting on the XL-1s? I was looking throught the menu of an XL-1s and saw a menu item that said DV Control on/off. What is this setting for? I was thinking that it enables Lanc control devices.

May 15th, 2005, 07:59 PM	#4
Brad Richmond Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 81	James and Greg, I was unaware of this feature until your posting, so I tried it out today, linked with a small Sony Handicam DCR TVR-30. It works as advertised. There are a couple of excellent uses for this feature. When connected to an inexpensive Mini DV camera: 1. The Handicam acts as a backup when shooting something that is very critical, especially if a tape dropout will be very costly. It is twice the tape, but might be well worth it if there is no chance of shooting the segment again. 2. The Handicam provides a color monitor. If using one of the micro DV cams, you can attach it to the shoe on top of the XL1, or mount it to a tripod. Great for checking color balance or for shooting with your eye away from the XL1s viewfinder. 3. Use the Handicam as a deck and viewing station for use on location. If the client want to check the footage, they can look at the Handicam monitor or you can hook it up to an external monitor. No wear on the original tape, no extra head wear on the XL1s. The Handicam can also be mounted to the base of a Steadicam or Glidecam to provide a check on made shots, again with no risk to the original tape. 4. The Handicam is a second camera, and although the quality is not as good as the XL1s, it might be the thing that saves your rear if the XL1s shoots craps...at least you have something in your bag of tricks that can shoot video with sound. It might also be handy to grab that weird shot when the XL1s just doesn't fit. Be sure and carry audio adaptors so you can plug a quality mic into the Handicam if necessary. 5. You can buy a small Mini-DV camera for less than a portable deck with monitor. What's more, you cannot shoot video with a portable deck! I think the DV Control is a great feature of the XL1s, and from now on I'll always bring my Handicam along on all assignments. This is an affordable method of redundancy and a useful tool. __________________ Brad Richmond Doubledogs Video Overland Park, KS www.doubledogsvideo.com video@doubledogs.com

May 19th, 2005, 11:06 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,369 Images: 513	Excellent tips there, Brad. Well done! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 9th, 2005, 09:33 AM	#7
Brad Richmond Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 81	The firewire only controls the tape, feeding the video from the XL1s directly to the heads (then the tape) of the slave camera deck. You will need to connect the audio output from the XL1s to the audio inputs of the slave camera if you wish to record the XL1s audio. Note: I have read some postings about problems in making connections from cameras while powered up. So, it should be recommended to make sure any camera is powered down when making a connection of any kind. Better safe than sorry. __________________ Brad Richmond Doubledogs Video Overland Park, KS www.doubledogsvideo.com video@doubledogs.com

June 9th, 2005, 07:22 PM	#10
Brad Richmond Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 81	Greg, I stand corrected. I did a quickie test with the setup, and didn't hear audio on playback of the Handicam tape. However, you are right, it should record the audio stream with the video. I'll check more closely to see if there is something different happening than what should be... Sorry to post incorrect info. Thanks for catching it! __________________ Brad Richmond Doubledogs Video Overland Park, KS www.doubledogsvideo.com video@doubledogs.com

March 8th, 2005, 12:00 PM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Naw James, It enables control of another device's record/stop functions via firewire. So, if you were using a firestore or Canon's DV-PC recorder or DV-Rack, this menu item would need to be turned on. My XL-2 has the same function and my answer is right out of the owner's manual. -gb-

March 8th, 2005, 12:02 PM	#3
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Thanks for the info.

June 6th, 2005, 04:27 PM	#6
Eric Holloway Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clarita, CA Posts: 173	Does it also control the zoom function as well as the record/stop functions of a sony minidv cam?