VHS to DV tapes...problem with new Sony camcorders
I had a nice Sony miniDV camcorder, the DCR HC 30. Worked great to record almost all of my VHS tapes to DV, which I am using to created my iMovies. The camcorder worked fine in this mode. It then had a problem with regular recording, capturing the audio, but not video. Known problem to Sony, who repaired the camcorder at no cost. It worked great again, but the last time I went to record from my VHS tape, it worked for an hour, and then the touch-screen menu failed to respond to touch. (Another story).
I also have a newer Sony camcorder, the DCR HC 26. Connected it to the VCR to record from the VHS tape. I then discovered that this camcorder will allow recording FROM the camcorder TO the VCR with the AV connector, but if I want to record FROM the VCR, it will only work using the DV connector into an iLink port (Firewire).
I went to the 'Sony Style' store (yes,Palo Alto has everything!) and the guy first insisted it could be done with the new HC 38 and 48, but after he actually read the manuals, it was the same as the HC26: must have a Firewire port on the VCR. How dumb is that? How many of us have all these old VHS tapes, probably old VCRs too, and none of the old ones will have FireWire ports!
I have always recommended copying VHS footage to DV tapes, and now I am not going to be able to do that unless I get a converter. Seems a bit expensive for just the few VHS tapes that I forgot to convert previously.
I tried to see if the HC 30 can be repaired again....Sony wants $211 just to check it out. I can buy a new camcorder for $320 so it doesn't seem worth it unless I can connect the touch-screen failure with the problem with video recording that was supposedly corrected.
May have to get a converter.....last resort is another old camcorder Sony TRV something. It is on its last legs, but maybe it could work for a few hours more!
Wanted to let it be known that direct recording from an old VCR to new Sony miniDV cannot be done.
I also have a newer Sony camcorder, the DCR HC 26. Connected it to the VCR to record from the VHS tape. I then discovered that this camcorder will allow recording FROM the camcorder TO the VCR with the AV connector, but if I want to record FROM the VCR, it will only work using the DV connector into an iLink port (Firewire).
I went to the 'Sony Style' store (yes,Palo Alto has everything!) and the guy first insisted it could be done with the new HC 38 and 48, but after he actually read the manuals, it was the same as the HC26: must have a Firewire port on the VCR. How dumb is that? How many of us have all these old VHS tapes, probably old VCRs too, and none of the old ones will have FireWire ports!
I have always recommended copying VHS footage to DV tapes, and now I am not going to be able to do that unless I get a converter. Seems a bit expensive for just the few VHS tapes that I forgot to convert previously.
I tried to see if the HC 30 can be repaired again....Sony wants $211 just to check it out. I can buy a new camcorder for $320 so it doesn't seem worth it unless I can connect the touch-screen failure with the problem with video recording that was supposedly corrected.
May have to get a converter.....last resort is another old camcorder Sony TRV something. It is on its last legs, but maybe it could work for a few hours more!
Wanted to let it be known that direct recording from an old VCR to new Sony miniDV cannot be done.
iMac FP 1GHz 80GB 1.25RAM, ext drives: Maxtor, Lacie, Mac OS X (10.4.9), iPhoto6.0.6, iTunes7.1.1, iMovie6.0.3, iDVD6.0.3
