Digital-8 to Mini-DV via Firewire....Possible? at DVinfo.net

Alessandro Machi · February 14th, 2005, 12:31 PM

I need to copy Digital-8 to mini-dv, can I do it via the camcorders and a firewire cable? I'm not sure my firewire cable is working properly so I don't know if my tests are valid, so far it doesn't work.

Chris Hurd · February 14th, 2005, 01:16 PM

Alessandro, I can't think of any reason why it would not work... you might try a different FW cable... what are the exact camcorder models you're using? You've got a Sony D8, the particular model probably doesn't matter, but what is the make and model of your DV camcorder?

Alessandro Machi · February 14th, 2005, 01:25 PM

I have a Canon-ZR 65.

It has a firewire in. The digital-8 camcorder is the TRV-350.

I heard several years ago that the two formats were incompatible when it came to making firewire dubs. It could be the cable, although the cable "looks" fine.

I've gone into the menu and tried the analog to DV output setting on both cameras. Might that be confusing the DV record camcorder into thinking it should be outputting a digital signal instead of receiving one?

Darko Flajpan · February 14th, 2005, 01:49 PM

I've done lots of DV<-> D8 dubs via Firewire. It works like a charm in both ways. All you need is 4-4 FW cable. Since my D8 camera is not brilliant as a camera i use it as deck for archiving. I've found D8 tapes very reliable and never experienced dropout. Just go and do it!

Ron Evans · February 14th, 2005, 01:52 PM

This works with Sony so should also work with the ZR Canon. Put both camcorders in VCR mode with iLINK cable connected. Press record ( record may only be on the remote like the Sony's) on the ZR and play on the D8. YOu should see the incoming video on the ZR LCD. IF you are in Europe your ZR may not be setup to record from the 1394 connector just output.

Ron Evans

Alessandro Machi · February 14th, 2005, 03:19 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Darko Flajpan : I've done lots of DV<-> D8 dubs via Firewire. It works like a charm in both ways. All you need is 4-4 FW cable. -->>>

I tried that and all I get is a blue screen. Maybe the cable is bad.

Alessandro Machi · February 14th, 2005, 03:31 PM

Maybe I'm using the wrong connector?

I'm using the DV connection but there is another connection I haven't used before, it's a bigger connection than the DV and both cameras have it. I thought that was a computer interface connection.

Alessandro Machi · February 14th, 2005, 10:39 PM

Bad firewire cable...grrrrrrrrrr.

I HATE THAT! I hate even more the fact that I don't remember where the darn cable came from. I think someone gave it to me! Or did I pay for it???

How annoying, I don't remember how or where I got this cable!

Ok, be happy, I now have a firewire cable that actually works and I can dub Sony Digital-8 to Canon mini-dv via firewire, yippeeee!

February 14th, 2005, 12:31 PM	#1
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	Digital-8 to Mini-DV via Firewire....Possible? I need to copy Digital-8 to mini-dv, can I do it via the camcorders and a firewire cable? I'm not sure my firewire cable is working properly so I don't know if my tests are valid, so far it doesn't work. __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)

February 14th, 2005, 01:16 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Alessandro, I can't think of any reason why it would not work... you might try a different FW cable... what are the exact camcorder models you're using? You've got a Sony D8, the particular model probably doesn't matter, but what is the make and model of your DV camcorder? __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 14th, 2005, 01:25 PM	#3
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	I have a Canon-ZR 65. It has a firewire in. The digital-8 camcorder is the TRV-350. I heard several years ago that the two formats were incompatible when it came to making firewire dubs. It could be the cable, although the cable "looks" fine. I've gone into the menu and tried the analog to DV output setting on both cameras. Might that be confusing the DV record camcorder into thinking it should be outputting a digital signal instead of receiving one? __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)

February 14th, 2005, 01:49 PM	#4
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	I've done lots of DV<-> D8 dubs via Firewire. It works like a charm in both ways. All you need is 4-4 FW cable. Since my D8 camera is not brilliant as a camera i use it as deck for archiving. I've found D8 tapes very reliable and never experienced dropout. Just go and do it! __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP

February 14th, 2005, 03:19 PM	#6
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	<<<-- Originally posted by Darko Flajpan : I've done lots of DV<-> D8 dubs via Firewire. It works like a charm in both ways. All you need is 4-4 FW cable. -->>> I tried that and all I get is a blue screen. Maybe the cable is bad. __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)

February 14th, 2005, 01:52 PM	#5
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	This works with Sony so should also work with the ZR Canon. Put both camcorders in VCR mode with iLINK cable connected. Press record ( record may only be on the remote like the Sony's) on the ZR and play on the D8. YOu should see the incoming video on the ZR LCD. IF you are in Europe your ZR may not be setup to record from the 1394 connector just output. Ron Evans

February 14th, 2005, 03:31 PM	#7
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	Maybe I'm using the wrong connector? I'm using the DV connection but there is another connection I haven't used before, it's a bigger connection than the DV and both cameras have it. I thought that was a computer interface connection. __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)

February 14th, 2005, 10:39 PM	#8
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	Bad firewire cable...grrrrrrrrrr. I HATE THAT! I hate even more the fact that I don't remember where the darn cable came from. I think someone gave it to me! Or did I pay for it??? How annoying, I don't remember how or where I got this cable! Ok, be happy, I now have a firewire cable that actually works and I can dub Sony Digital-8 to Canon mini-dv via firewire, yippeeee! __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)