which sd based camera can be controlled via a PC? at DVinfo.net

Rolland Elliott · August 3rd, 2009, 03:29 PM

Which sd memory card based camera can be controlled via a PC?

I used to use dvrack and pinnacle studio to control a camcorder via a PC, but it seems like most of the newer camcorders I have looked at do NOT have firewire and thus cannnot be controlled this way?

Dave Blackhurst · August 4th, 2009, 11:46 AM

AFAIK, none of the SS memory based cameras (HDD/Memory card/Flash memory) allow for control via PC. All just use USB for file transfers (in effect they are just another mass storage device).

Control via firewire allowed for automated transport control during transfers - the remote control capability and the ability to record a "live" stream was a "bonus". Now you'll need to find a camera with a LANC interface and an appropriate controller for "remote" control, and I believe that most are using the HDMI for "live" feed.

Ervin Farkas · August 5th, 2009, 05:37 AM

I just can't think of any reason why you would need to control a camera via PC the way you did in the old days using firewire. With tape-based cameras you had to ff/rew the tape, or go to a specific timecode... with solid state camcorders all you have now is a "computer file", not video on tape. Gone are the "capture tape" days... now it's simply file transfer.

What exactly are you trying to achieve that the USB interface won't let you do?

August 3rd, 2009, 03:29 PM	#1
Rolland Elliott Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC 28273 Posts: 108	which sd based camera can be controlled via a PC? Which sd memory card based camera can be controlled via a PC? I used to use dvrack and pinnacle studio to control a camcorder via a PC, but it seems like most of the newer camcorders I have looked at do NOT have firewire and thus cannnot be controlled this way? __________________ Rolland Elliott

August 5th, 2009, 05:37 AM	#3
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	I just can't think of any reason why you would need to control a camera via PC the way you did in the old days using firewire. With tape-based cameras you had to ff/rew the tape, or go to a specific timecode... with solid state camcorders all you have now is a "computer file", not video on tape. Gone are the "capture tape" days... now it's simply file transfer. What exactly are you trying to achieve that the USB interface won't let you do? __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com

August 4th, 2009, 11:46 AM	#2
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	AFAIK, none of the SS memory based cameras (HDD/Memory card/Flash memory) allow for control via PC. All just use USB for file transfers (in effect they are just another mass storage device). Control via firewire allowed for automated transport control during transfers - the remote control capability and the ability to record a "live" stream was a "bonus". Now you'll need to find a camera with a LANC interface and an appropriate controller for "remote" control, and I believe that most are using the HDMI for "live" feed.