Re: Firewire Questions
- From: Scubajam <jmcgauhey@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:22:24 -0700
On Sep 11, 5:38 am, al...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
I have used a Firewire connection from my camcorder to record video to a
stand-alone DVD recorder.
I noticed that the video it records isn't as wide (about 10% less wide)
as the same video recorded on my computer using Firewire.
Is this normal?
If not, do I need to adjust it's PAL 60 / NTSC output setting, or
perhaps something else, on the camcorder? (or the stand-alone recorder)
ALSO, I've been using an older computer, which has a firewire inputs,
for downloading
from the camcorder. It has a 4-pin input in
the front, which worked out well because the
stand-alone recorder does too.
I've got a newer computer to download video
from the camcorder, but it only has 6-pin Firewire inputs. (front and
back) I looked up 'Firewire' on the web and the only difference between
4 and 6-pin inputs seems to be the ability of the 6-pin to power the
connected device.
Is that the only advantage to using a 6-pin Firewire input/cable?
P.S. If the camcorder had a widescreen mode,
I probably wouldn't mind the less wide video that the stand-alone
records, but it's an older model camcorder that didn't have that option.
I'd prefer to use the stand-alone recorder because the computer route
usually has glitches in the downloaded video and isn't
as good a quality. (can use DVD-ROM on
the computer to convert it later)
TV overscan SHOULD be the cause of the 10% loss. TV shows the loss,
computer monitor should show the entire screen. A quick check is to
play stand-alone created DVD on your computer, the whole screen should
show. Now take a DVD from computer captured and burned video and play
it on your TV, and you should again lose the 10%. Just plan for this
in your camcorder shooting and titles, credits, etc. Most
videographers have known this for years. Welcome to the club.
You're right about 6 pin vs 4 pin. The difference is just power,
which 4 pin devices obviously don't need. Just need to get a new 6 to
4 Firewire cable.
Now - quality is another issue. First, understand that a Firewire
connection, as noted by others, is just a transfer. And capturing to
your computer should be done as an avi file, not direct to DVD or to
mpg. If you capture to avi there should not be any glitches. This is
an exact copy of what is on your tape. If you have glitches capturing
avi, then your computer is hiccuping because of other tasks. Turn off
everything else, which is a good idea when capturing, editing, or
burning anyway, unless you have a very fast computer. For years I
couldn't do anything else, now I leave all programs running because of
the faster computer. That means turn off email program, virus
(recommend disconnect internet if you have an always-on connection).
To be sure, you can click Start - Run - type in msconfig - click
Startup - Disable All. You'll have to reboot, X out of the two
configuration messages you will get (presuming you are using Windows
XP), then start your program and capture. When finished with video,
you can go back to msconfig and Enable all, or selectively check the
boxes. You'll probably find a lot of garbage in there loading up your
system.
If you capture on your computer and are telling it to save to mpg
file, or to DVD - STOP !!!! Don't do that. Instead of just copying
the tape, now your computer has to convert from avi to mpg, and try to
do it in real time as the data flows through the Firewire. Obviously
your computer can't keep up. You could try the msconfig trick, but
best to just copy/capture. Another source of quality besides dropping
frames, is the mpg settings you are using on the computer (now when
your burn DVD, not capturing to avi). There are many flavors, but
recommend you focus on bitrate to start. There Constant CBR, or
Variable VBR. The latter is usually better for fast action video, but
takes more render time. Also, if you ever decide to work with DivX to
make youTube or compressed internet versions, DivX, which is one of
the better quality converters for internet uploads, wants to only work
with CBR mpg files (and it's fussy about audio too). And what bitrate
are you using? Anything above 5,000 should be OK for quality, don't
go above 8,000, or even 7,000 to leave room for audio. Also, some
computer programs default to less than full screen for mpg or DVD for
some reason. In NSTC land it should be 720x480. Then there's the
audio settings, but I'll leave you to do some independent research.
Google and read. Your stand-alone DVD probably doesn't give you lots
of options like this, or the defaults are better than your computer
program. And there's another item - different burning programs give
different results.
Get the idea? This video stuff isn't for sissy's!!! There's lots to
learn. Even for just simple jobs. Learn, or just use the stand-alone
recorder as it seems to do a good job for you. For direct copies,
that's what I'd recommend unless you want to spend a LOT of time
learning. The only real advantage of the computer is to edit and
change the video. Then the computer wins every time.
Hope this is helpful,
Jim McGauhey
Washington State
.
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