mac mini: outputting to monitor and TV simultaneously at DVinfo.net

Jon Wong · May 7th, 2005, 04:47 AM

i'm putting together a small edit studio around the mac mini, and i'd like to output to a LCD monitor for editing and a TV to preview my work. i'd like to do this without rewiring stuff every time i want to preview. Is there an inexpensive way of getting video out of the firewire port to the TV? if this is possible, could i do this through a dv camcorder? if so, then which one?

Boyd Ostroff · May 7th, 2005, 07:50 AM

There are a variety of ways to do this.

1. You could buy a firewire converter box like this: http://www.canopus.us/US/products/AD...pt_advc110.asp

2. You could use any camcorder that supports "DV IN" firewire - most of them do.

3. You could use a standalone DVD recorder with firewire input.

4. You could use a DV player like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=212935&is=REG

Option number 4 would involve the least plugging and unplugging because you could also use it to capture your tapes, but it isn't cheap. Option 2 may be the best way to go if you're on a budget; just leave your camcorder plugged into the firewire port while you're editing.

Jon Wong · May 7th, 2005, 11:50 AM

i have an xl1 but as i understand it it won't pass through the image directly from DV -> video without recording. should i just buy a cheapie consuper camcorder? are there ones i should stay away from?

Glenn Chan · May 7th, 2005, 01:46 PM

A lot of camcorders can convert either from analog --> DV or DV --> analog. Also known as "DV --> A/V". They cannot do both at once, so you have to put it on the right setting/direction.

Dig around the menus or read your manual. I'm pretty sure the XL1 can handle this.

I don't think you ever have to record to mini-DV with the XL1... although I might be wrong.

Edward Troxel · May 7th, 2005, 03:42 PM

I have the XL-1 (no s). I can connect it to the computer via firewire and a TV via S-Vid or RCA. I can select external monitor or do a PTT and the image will go straight to the TV (or I could have it connected to a VCR and record the signal) WITHOUT a tape in the camera and without recording. Pass-thru works just fine.

Jon Wong · May 8th, 2005, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Troxel

I can select external monitor or do a PTT and the image will go straight to the TV

how do you do this? i can't find it in the VCR menu of the XL1.

Edward Troxel · May 8th, 2005, 05:23 AM

The original XL-1 did not have a menu option for this. You just connect it to the computer via firewire, connect it to the monitor via RCA or S-Video, put it in VCR mode, and tell the computer to either external preview or Print To Tape.

The original XL-1 will NOT go the other direction, though. It will not accept analog input and send that to the computer.

John Snoddy · May 9th, 2005, 07:16 AM

Also, have your XL-1 hooked up and powered on in VCR mode before firing up Final Cut. I've had situations where if I'm editing & then hook up the camera, I can't preview on the monitor.

Jon Wong · May 11th, 2005, 03:14 AM

hey thanks guys! it works beautifully now!

Dave Perry · May 11th, 2005, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Snoddy

Also, have your XL-1 hooked up and powered on in VCR mode before firing up Final Cut. I've had situations where if I'm editing & then hook up the camera, I can't preview on the monitor.

John,

In this case go to File>View>Refresh A/V Devices.

May 7th, 2005, 04:47 AM	#1
Jon Wong New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: vancouver, B.C Canada Posts: 9	mac mini: outputting to monitor and TV simultaneously i'm putting together a small edit studio around the mac mini, and i'd like to output to a LCD monitor for editing and a TV to preview my work. i'd like to do this without rewiring stuff every time i want to preview. Is there an inexpensive way of getting video out of the firewire port to the TV? if this is possible, could i do this through a dv camcorder? if so, then which one?

May 7th, 2005, 03:42 PM	#5
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	I have the XL-1 (no s). I can connect it to the computer via firewire and a TV via S-Vid or RCA. I can select external monitor or do a PTT and the image will go straight to the TV (or I could have it connected to a VCR and record the signal) WITHOUT a tape in the camera and without recording. Pass-thru works just fine. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

May 8th, 2005, 05:23 AM	#7
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	The original XL-1 did not have a menu option for this. You just connect it to the computer via firewire, connect it to the monitor via RCA or S-Video, put it in VCR mode, and tell the computer to either external preview or Print To Tape. The original XL-1 will NOT go the other direction, though. It will not accept analog input and send that to the computer. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

May 7th, 2005, 07:50 AM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	There are a variety of ways to do this. 1. You could buy a firewire converter box like this: http://www.canopus.us/US/products/AD...pt_advc110.asp 2. You could use any camcorder that supports "DV IN" firewire - most of them do. 3. You could use a standalone DVD recorder with firewire input. 4. You could use a DV player like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=212935&is=REG Option number 4 would involve the least plugging and unplugging because you could also use it to capture your tapes, but it isn't cheap. Option 2 may be the best way to go if you're on a budget; just leave your camcorder plugged into the firewire port while you're editing.

May 7th, 2005, 11:50 AM	#3
Jon Wong New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: vancouver, B.C Canada Posts: 9	i have an xl1 but as i understand it it won't pass through the image directly from DV -> video without recording. should i just buy a cheapie consuper camcorder? are there ones i should stay away from?

May 7th, 2005, 01:46 PM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	A lot of camcorders can convert either from analog --> DV or DV --> analog. Also known as "DV --> A/V". They cannot do both at once, so you have to put it on the right setting/direction. Dig around the menus or read your manual. I'm pretty sure the XL1 can handle this. I don't think you ever have to record to mini-DV with the XL1... although I might be wrong.

May 9th, 2005, 07:16 AM	#8
John Snoddy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Camp Hill, PA Posts: 41	Also, have your XL-1 hooked up and powered on in VCR mode before firing up Final Cut. I've had situations where if I'm editing & then hook up the camera, I can't preview on the monitor.

May 11th, 2005, 03:14 AM	#9
Jon Wong New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: vancouver, B.C Canada Posts: 9	hey thanks guys! it works beautifully now!