Age Old Question: Canon ZR40 suitable capture device for XL1s? at DVinfo.net

Joshua Kopple · November 18th, 2003, 01:14 AM

Here's the deal:

I just filmed 34 hours of footage on my XL1s with Panasonic 63PQs (from Zotz Digital, woohoo!) for the "Making of" a major motion picture I just worked on.

I know better than to use my XL1s to capture all those tapes (or portions thereof) and while I'd like to buy a deck, it may be cost prohibitive right now. Reading the threads, it occurred to me I could probably cannibalize my mom's camera for my purposes. It is a Canon ZR40.

Everything you guys have said so far seems to say, "Yes" but to make sure: Is that camera a suitable alternative to capturing all these tapes on a mini-dv deck? Are there any drawbacks?

Jeff Donald · November 18th, 2003, 09:24 AM

Do a search and read some of the users thoughts. It will work fine because digital is digital i.e. no loss of quality. It will not be as fast as a deck in cueing, FF and REW.

Joshua Kopple · November 18th, 2003, 05:28 PM

Thanks Jeff,

I didn't mean to harp on something that's been discussed - it was my paranoia that maybe that particular model (the Canon ZR40) may have some defect/issue I wasn't aware of.

But it seems that any mini-dv playing camcorder can do the trick.

Much thanks again,

Joshua

Ted Moores · November 25th, 2003, 05:23 PM

I use a ZR 50 for the footage I shoot on a GL1. Works Fine.

Joe Sacher · November 25th, 2003, 05:26 PM

I use my ZR-45 for my GL-2 footage. Well until the ZR-45 stopped powering up. Hopefully it is cheap to fix.

Mike Butler · November 25th, 2003, 06:05 PM

I still use an Elura 2MC as a general purpose "deck" both for capturing XL1 & GL1 footage, and for outputting final jobs to a digital master.

I also use it to make a digital dub off of analog sources instead of a Hollywood Bridge or other such analog-to-digital converter. Yes, it takes twice as long: once to dub, once to capture...but the clips are usually no more than 5 minutes long (and I get paid by the hour, hee hee).

Not stylish for sure, but it gets the job done. If it blows up, it owes me nothing, and then maybe I'll get a "proper" DV deck.

Dylan Couper · November 25th, 2003, 08:35 PM

I use a ZR40 for capturing tapes from my XL1. It works great!
You should have no problems.

November 18th, 2003, 01:14 AM	#1
Joshua Kopple Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29	Age Old Question: Canon ZR40 suitable capture device for XL1s? Here's the deal: I just filmed 34 hours of footage on my XL1s with Panasonic 63PQs (from Zotz Digital, woohoo!) for the "Making of" a major motion picture I just worked on. I know better than to use my XL1s to capture all those tapes (or portions thereof) and while I'd like to buy a deck, it may be cost prohibitive right now. Reading the threads, it occurred to me I could probably cannibalize my mom's camera for my purposes. It is a Canon ZR40. Everything you guys have said so far seems to say, "Yes" but to make sure: Is that camera a suitable alternative to capturing all these tapes on a mini-dv deck? Are there any drawbacks?

November 18th, 2003, 09:24 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Do a search and read some of the users thoughts. It will work fine because digital is digital i.e. no loss of quality. It will not be as fast as a deck in cueing, FF and REW. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 18th, 2003, 05:28 PM	#3
Joshua Kopple Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29	Thanks - was only asking re: the specific model of camera. Thanks Jeff, I didn't mean to harp on something that's been discussed - it was my paranoia that maybe that particular model (the Canon ZR40) may have some defect/issue I wasn't aware of. But it seems that any mini-dv playing camcorder can do the trick. Much thanks again, Joshua

November 25th, 2003, 05:23 PM	#4
Ted Moores New Boot Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Ut. Posts: 13	I use a ZR 50 for the footage I shoot on a GL1. Works Fine. __________________ Ted

November 25th, 2003, 06:05 PM	#6
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	I still use an Elura 2MC as a general purpose "deck" both for capturing XL1 & GL1 footage, and for outputting final jobs to a digital master. I also use it to make a digital dub off of analog sources instead of a Hollywood Bridge or other such analog-to-digital converter. Yes, it takes twice as long: once to dub, once to capture...but the clips are usually no more than 5 minutes long (and I get paid by the hour, hee hee). Not stylish for sure, but it gets the job done. If it blows up, it owes me nothing, and then maybe I'll get a "proper" DV deck. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

November 25th, 2003, 05:26 PM	#5
Joe Sacher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 177	I use my ZR-45 for my GL-2 footage. Well until the ZR-45 stopped powering up. Hopefully it is cheap to fix.

November 25th, 2003, 08:35 PM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I use a ZR40 for capturing tapes from my XL1. It works great! You should have no problems. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com