Starting up a multi-format digitizing setup at DVinfo.net

James Blackburn · February 12th, 2007, 10:47 AM

I'm looking to set up a multi format capturing setup to digitizing setup to capture footage from:

DV, DVCAM, HDV, Beta SP and Digibeta for now

I intend to have a PC connected to each deck so I can easily capture from different formats and store the digitized content on an external raid.

I understand capture cards are required for Beta SP and Digibeta. I wondered if there are any other capture devices that are required to digitize these formats on a windows based PC and if anyone knows of a good stand alone program that interfaces with such devices.

Thanks for you help

James Blackburn

Andy Mees · February 12th, 2007, 11:59 AM

for capture of those formats only you'll get by just fine with an HVD-M25 and a J30; check out the Blackmagic or AJA capture cards, you would only need a standard def capture card as the HDV format can be captured via firweire.
Blackmagic cards have particularly good cross platform support, so may be worth checking out if you want to capture to a PC. They ship with standalone sofware for capture and playback.

James Blackburn · February 13th, 2007, 03:43 AM

Thanks Andy, thats a great help. For buying used decks what sort of drum hours are acceptable and what is over use, or does this vary from deck to deck.

James Blackburn · March 12th, 2007, 03:12 AM

I'm being presured into finding a cheaper VTR that can play back Digibeta and Beta SP tapes and outputs via firewire.. The J30 is a cracking little deck for the price but i'm still required to find a cheaper deal.

Does anyone know of any such decks other than the J30?

Thanks

James

William Hohauser · March 12th, 2007, 10:15 AM

You can look into the J-10 which I've seen for under $8000 US. It has SDI and FireWire according to the descriptions.

Have you considered the issues of capture codecs? If you capture all the standard def material by FireWire they will share the same codec but if you switch between firewire and a capture card there will be a different codec. The HDV will be a different codec as well. Unfortunately FCP is not the most forgiving program regarding codecs at this point.

February 12th, 2007, 10:47 AM	#1
James Blackburn Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 34	Starting up a multi-format digitizing setup I'm looking to set up a multi format capturing setup to digitizing setup to capture footage from: DV, DVCAM, HDV, Beta SP and Digibeta for now I intend to have a PC connected to each deck so I can easily capture from different formats and store the digitized content on an external raid. I understand capture cards are required for Beta SP and Digibeta. I wondered if there are any other capture devices that are required to digitize these formats on a windows based PC and if anyone knows of a good stand alone program that interfaces with such devices. Thanks for you help James Blackburn

March 12th, 2007, 10:15 AM	#5
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	You can look into the J-10 which I've seen for under $8000 US. It has SDI and FireWire according to the descriptions. Have you considered the issues of capture codecs? If you capture all the standard def material by FireWire they will share the same codec but if you switch between firewire and a capture card there will be a different codec. The HDV will be a different codec as well. Unfortunately FCP is not the most forgiving program regarding codecs at this point. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

February 12th, 2007, 11:59 AM	#2
Andy Mees Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 645	for capture of those formats only you'll get by just fine with an HVD-M25 and a J30; check out the Blackmagic or AJA capture cards, you would only need a standard def capture card as the HDV format can be captured via firweire. Blackmagic cards have particularly good cross platform support, so may be worth checking out if you want to capture to a PC. They ship with standalone sofware for capture and playback.

February 13th, 2007, 03:43 AM	#3
James Blackburn Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 34	Thanks Andy, thats a great help. For buying used decks what sort of drum hours are acceptable and what is over use, or does this vary from deck to deck.

March 12th, 2007, 03:12 AM	#4
James Blackburn Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 34	I'm being presured into finding a cheaper VTR that can play back Digibeta and Beta SP tapes and outputs via firewire.. The J30 is a cracking little deck for the price but i'm still required to find a cheaper deal. Does anyone know of any such decks other than the J30? Thanks James