Sony Digital 8 & iMovie Problems?

11 replies [Last post]
inkfinger
Offline
Joined: Apr 29 2001

I'm considering getting a Sony DCR-trv120 or DCR-trv8000 (+Widget) to use with my iMac DVse400 & iMovie 1.

Mostly I'll be editing old 8mm footage to begin with.

Any possible pitfalls I should be aware of?

Cheers!
Inkfinger

iMike
Offline
Joined: Aug 20 2000

I use a TR8000 with iMovie1 on an iMac DV, OS9.0.4. Works like a charm, and with a Datavision widget, I get AV-DV direct throughput, so I can plug a VCR into the camcorder, plug the camcorder into my Mac, and therefore edit VHS footage without transferring to DV tape first - some people pay £300 for a convertor box to do this alone!

inkfinger
Offline
Joined: Apr 29 2001

Thanks for replying.

I know what you mean. I was thinking about a converter box but then I realised my 8mm camcorder is 8 years old!

Might as well have the new Cam that can convert as well I think! (Especially since the TRV 8000 & TRV 120 can be had at a good price at present)

Cheers!
Inkfinger.

iMike
Offline
Joined: Aug 20 2000

Agreed - but get the 120 if you can afford it - I regret the lack of an LCD screen on my 8000!
Good Luck
iMike

dave phelan
Offline
Joined: Apr 16 2001

Hi,
I have just bought a Sony 320E and a widget and WOW!!!!! I can now play all my VHS tapes from the VHS camera via the DV camera and direct into iMovie. The quality is super and so far I have not had any problem. Exporting back has been as easy as well. The footage quality when exported is as goo if not "better" than the origional. I have found that when I take a photo still out of the VHS is has a little black band on either side but a quick crop in Photoshop and its fine
Dave

Checkout an Irish Mac
schoo

iMike
Offline
Joined: Aug 20 2000

Well done Dave - glad to see you're happy with you're final choice.

dave phelan
Offline
Joined: Apr 16 2001

Mike,
Many thanks for all your great advice, the really strang thing is that not one single person in the "business" here in Ireland could give me factual information at all. This forum and your advice was all that I needed. Its really funny to see the advice some people are being given on some of the forums and the advice in the Camera mags never really seems to consider the DV8 as being a solution to most peoples problems
Thanks again
Dave

------------------
Checkout an Irish Mac
schoo

Checkout an Irish Mac
schoo

johnpr98
Offline
Joined: Aug 20 1999

Dave

quote:
The footage quality when exported is as goo if not "better" than the origional.

This is not possible

However I understand what you mean
I have made this same statement a few times & had a servere rap across my knuckles.

The TRV*20 series are a very good buy indeed.
I recently posted a link to a exposure list that a kind soul had compiled, this is also useful. http://www.dvdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ubb/Forum10/HTML/004010.html

inkfinger

If you have access to a PC have a look at the price of Auto PC95 compared to a widget, it does the same job equally well.

John Price
http://www.johnpr98.com

[This message has been edited by johnpr98 (edited 12 May 2001).]

johnpr98
 
If you have any Forum Suggestions please post them here

inkfinger
Offline
Joined: Apr 29 2001

Hi everyone, thanks for the input.

The only thing that bugs me a bit about the DV8 cams is that they are pretty bulky.

Not a problem for many I guess, but I don't have a car & ultimately would like something smaller & easier to carry about.

Now seriously considering a DV Bridge to edit my current 8mm footage then maybe in a couple of years time a mini dv cam, or maybe even a Digital still cam with "movie clip mode " if the quality of the movies they can produce has improved a bit by then.

Cheers!

Inkfinger

johnpr98
Offline
Joined: Aug 20 1999

The DV bridge will do what you want now with your 8mm tape, the problem is that you won't see the benefit of a Digital 8 recording. You old tapes will look ropey in comparison.

John Price
http://www.johnpr98.com

johnpr98
 
If you have any Forum Suggestions please post them here

inkfinger
Offline
Joined: Apr 29 2001

I guess 8mm is going to look a bit ropey next to most formats these days.

Makes me wonder, perhaps the low res of 8mm might be just as well served by one of those little usb "videobus" type things.
Anyone had any experience with those?

(Probably wouldn't satisfy the serious enthusiast, but I'm more of a dabbler really)

Cheers!

Inkfinger

s.hood
Offline
Joined: Jun 16 1999

those USB things only capture 320x240 approx NOT full screen 768x576 at 25fps. You have been warned....

------------------
regards
Steven Hood

[ O U T L A W : S D G ]

regards
Steven Hood

Motion Forge