Digital Video Camera that accepts video analog?

[BradB]

I searched the forums with this question, but it appeared that it hasn't come up yet. I'd like to look into recording video off an underwater camera into digital video. I'd like to work with this digital video on my computer, so the video camera that takes the line out from the underwater camera would need to burn the data onto some sort of media that a computer can read (DVD+R, CD-R, SV Card, etc.). Once I get it to the computer I can video edit and make it a DVD, AVI, etc. But I need to take it from the underwater camera, into the digital video camera, and then remove the media in a format that a computer can read.

Does anyone have experience in doing this, and if so do you know a relatively inexpensive digital video camera that can do this?

[Pete Riola]

Camcorders with a video in will allow you to do this. We use a Sony trv230 for underwater filming. Make sure your camera has a video in... this feature will ad some bucks to your camera. You can then convert the tape into an mpg, avi etc with your computer. You'll need a video capture card and program to capture the video to your pc.

[BradB]

Pete,

Thanks. I googled that model number and it would appear that the full number is DCR-TRV230. If this is correct, then my research shows that this records to a Digital8 tape. I was looking more for something that records to a digital media rather than a tape. There appear to be models that record to either a MiniDVD (3" DVD) or a SD Memory Card. That would seem to eliminate a lot of the hassle of capturing data on tape on a more computer-friendly digital media storage format. Have you looked into that at all?

Thanks.

[Pete Riola]

The best way we've found to get good under water video is to let the camera roll to tape then turn the tape into what you need. It's no hassle at all to capture to the hard drive and you can save it in what ever resolution suits your end need. We've used mini DV too it's the same proccess as digital 8 as far as using Avid or some video editor.

[BradB]

Pete,

Thanks again for the suggestion. I started to do a little more research and I think I might have found a cheap way to do what I'm trying to. Since I already have a laptop, but no video camera, I could use a product like this and skip the video camera altogether. A $68 device is a whole lot cheaper than a $3-700 video camera. I'm going to research it more and see if it might work. It might be an elegant way for those of us with laptops and cameras to capture video.

[JP Z]

Brad,

The camera I use is a Canon ZRMC50.......of course last I saw they are up to a ZRMC90. I believe any of these have a Video input. And the nice thing about them is they (only) run about $400.

[BradB]

Thanks JPZ,

Before I go investing in a camera I'm going to try the Hauppauge WinTV-USB device. This relatively inexpensive device links to any video input (designed for TV, but would work for underwater camera feed) and converts analog (NTSC) into digital video viewed and saved on the computer in the AVI format. It attaches to your USB hub and they have different models for the 1.1 and 2.0 USB types. For only $68 I think it's really worth a try. I want to do this in my fish house, so I have no problem bringing my laptop. In fact, I use it to play DVD's there anyway so this will just be an added benefit.

Once I have the AVI video saves on my laptop, then I can use any number of programs to convert it other formats. I realize I'm not going to get HDTV quality, but for this price it will be good enough for filming a few walleyes and perch.

That is, of course, if it works. We shall see.

[FZ]

A couple years ago, I used a ‘Dazzle’ Digital Video converter to convert all my VHS tapes to CDs. For input, Dazzle ($40~80) has S-Video port as well as common RCA ports (red, while and yellow) which plug in to TV or VHS or analog video camera. I am not sure to bring a computer to a fish house is feasible, but you can record your underwater camera video to a VHS tape. For output, Dazzle has either a firewire (IEEE 1394) or USB 1.1 port to connect computer (I believe the new version of the device has USB 2.0 port, so you do not need 1394 card on your computer). It also came with video recording/editing software. The quality of video was ok, but video frame was in 640x480 resolution, so it did not look good on today’s high resolution monitor. You also need to high power computer to avoid missing frames (segmentation). Maybe today the new version of this type of device is much improved in both resolution and user friendliness. I knew BestBuy and CompUSA carry them or go to Amazon dot com to get user feedback.

[BradB]

FZ,

I took a pretty close look at the device I've been discussing and read all the pro's and con's on the Internet. I also downloaded the use and care instructions and read them carefully. It is understood that the quality of the video will not be extremely high, but from what I've been able to gather it should be acceptable. In this instance, I do not need to match the sound with the video, so that saves on processing power, etc. Also, the video capture device is scalable so you can record video at a lower bit rates in order to dial in the best compromise for your system. As I'll be recording B&W, to be seen on a small pop-up sized screen, I do feel that I can find an acceptable level for viewability. Say at VCD level, vs. DVD. As I'm doing this just for fun, not profit, this seems fine to me. At a minimum, I should be able to use the laptop screen (17") as an auxiliary monitor while fishing.

Also, I will be using it exclusively inside my permanent fish house which is heated and wired up. It won't be much different than at my desk in terms of temperature, abuse, etc.

I'll be running it on an older Dell Pentium 3 500mHz with XP Pro and 30 GB hard drive space. I've just completely re-done this computer, taking off all the software and cleaning it up. I'm going to update all the appropriate drivers and optimize my system for this application. I may have to upgrade my processor and add more RAM, but I'll see if I need to jump off that bridge when I come to it. Of course, it might be a disaster and might not work at all, but I'm willing to give it a shot for a $70 risk at minimum.

If it does work, and I'm able to figure out how to best do it, I'll post up my experience with instructions and lessons learned. I really have no other need for a video camera, so this strikes me as a good way to go...again, if it works.

[JP Z]

Brad,

The main thing with Capturing direct to your Computer is if it can keep a constant framerate. That is one of the advantages of using a Camcorder or recording device. (you always have a backup of the footage) But as FZ has mentioned I've used the Dazzle hardware and it is nice.

But for my recording, which is more work based I have the luxury of using a Sony GV-D1000 it's a MiniDV deck. This is also what I use for my editing so it's a multipurpose deck. But it is the ONLY way to go. But heck. If you are in a permanent fishhouse. IS it wired for 110V AC? Why not just get a 9" TV/VCR combo for $99 then you can record straight to Tape and then play with putting it on your computer later. Of course if you don't have 110V power, you can get an AC/DC powered TV for about $150 This way it's not just for the Camera, but also for use otherwise over the year.

[BradB]

JZ,

I appreciate this discussion. It sounds like you have some experience and have good suggestions to offer.

From what I can understand from the manual, the WinTV-Capture program allows you to set the frame rate for video capture. The manual states:

"Captured image sizes can be either 160 x 120 or 320 x 240 pixels. For the best trade off between image size and captured frames per second, use a 320 x 240 image. With a 166 MHz processor MMX (or better) and a reasonably fast hard disc drive, you should be able to capture 30 frames per second using the YUY2 or RGB format."

It would appear that the frames/second is scalable between 15 and 30, with the image size being a choice between 160 x 120, 320 x 240, and 320 x 240. Once I get the device, I'm going to experiment at home and see what looks the best. Keep in mind, I'm only looking to capture short (10 seconds to a minute) video sequences to be shown in small (4-6" windows) over QuickTime, Windows Media Player, etc.

As for the power, I am not wired for 110V and don't really want to be. I do not like generators on the ice and secretly hope they all break down and disappear. With the exception of the quiet Honda ones, of course. My main objection is noise. I suppose I could go with the TV/VCR combo through an inverter, but I would assume that that would draw down my battery bank more than I would like. Since I'll be bringing the laptop to watch DVD's, anyway, I figure why not give it a second use for capturing video? I have a car adapter for charging the laptop so if the laptop battery draws down, I can charge it on the ride up or back. I haven't tried it on the deep cycle battery bank yet, but perhaps that would work as well for charging/operating.

My main concern at this point is optimizing the laptop. It's seem some heavy use over the years and became a little glitchy. I just cleaned it up and re-did it, so I'm hoping that solves the trouble. Everything seems to work well now, anyway. I'm also hoping my Pentium 3 500 MHz is up to the job.

[JP Z]

Brad,

Good luck to you. Seems like at what they are saying you should be fine. 30FPS is plenty. And the AC/DC TV/VCR combos aren't that bad. Generally in a big permanent fishhouse you will have a large Car battery this will run one for quite some time.

Right now it seems you have it all worked out though so no worries.

[BradB]

Thanks, I hope I have good luck with this as well. It could be a good way for guys with laptops to record video from their Aqua Vu's. BTW, I run a bank of three 115 amp hour deep cycles in parallel so I can go for a long, long time. This is to run three light bulbs, the radio, charge the cell phone, gameboy, and iPod, and run the underwater camera. It should be able to run the laptop as well. I guess I'm pretty much a geek, based on that list.

[JP Z]

Brad,

The Hauge TV encoder you are looking at should work. The main thing you need to look at is the Analog Video input. So I think it will work fine for you.