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#1
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
Hi all,
I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Now I am not sure which is the firewire port in my PC/Laptop. My Handycam has an output marked 'DV out' and with a symbol 'i' near it (second output from left out of four outputs present) that I understand is the output where firewire cable is to be connected (there is another output near it (first from left) with a USB sign on it). Now, my problem is like this: I have two cables, which both fit in the 'DV out' port of the handycam. Out of these two, one cable is having identical connector at the other end, and my laptop and my Desktop both have a port which matches this. The second cable is having a slightly bigger connector at the other end (of the size of a USB connector but thinned out slightly from one side, sorry I don't know what it is called). My Desktop has a receptacle for this as well, whereas my Laptop doesn't. I am not sure which cable out of these two gives a better quality video. Please suggest. Also, what is the 'LANC' output (fourth from left and last output provided on the handycam)? Thankyou |
#2
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
vj wrote:
Hi all, I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Now I am not sure which is the firewire port in my PC/Laptop. My Handycam has an output marked 'DV out' and with a symbol 'i' near it (second output from left out of four outputs present) that I understand is the output where firewire cable is to be connected (there is another output near it (first from left) with a USB sign on it). Now, my problem is like this: I have two cables, which both fit in the 'DV out' port of the handycam. Out of these two, one cable is having identical connector at the other end, and my laptop and my Desktop both have a port which matches this. The second cable is having a slightly bigger connector at the other end (of the size of a USB connector but thinned out slightly from one side, sorry I don't know what it is called). My Desktop has a receptacle for this as well, whereas my Laptop doesn't. These cables should both be firewire cables, one with a compact plug on both ends and one with a compact plug on one end and full-sized plug on the other. This is a picture of a full-sized firewire plug: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/360773/2/istockphoto_360773_firewire_plug.jpg and this is a compact firewire plug: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/360795/2/istockphoto_360795_firewire_plug_small.jpg I am not sure which cable out of these two gives a better quality video. Please suggest. Which-ever cable can plug into both your camcorder and laptop at the same time should be the correct one. If you have your capture/editing software running and then plug in your camcorder, it should be recognised and then be controllable via the transport controls (play, stop, fastforward and rewind) inside the program to cue up the video you wish to capture to your computer. Also, what is the 'LANC' output (fourth from left and last output provided on the handycam)? From my own research into this, it appears that the LANC port is for some sort of data/control signal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LANC seems to bear this out, but I've never used any LANC accessories and so can't really say one way or the other. |
#3
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
(vj) wrote in
: I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Firewire might be faster than USB, but why would it provide better quality video? Bits is bits, after all. -- Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | |
#4
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:00:20 -0800 (PST), vj
wrote: Hi all, I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Now I am not sure which is the firewire port in my PC/Laptop. You can't make a mistake. The Firewire cable has different plug shapes than the USB cable. At both ends. Check http://fwdepot.com/thestore/images/xl_db-35u2fw.jpg where the Firewire port is at the left, and USB ports are on the right. You may have to add a IEEE card to your laptop. I am not sure which cable out of these two gives a better quality video. I'm trying to remember the circumstances, but my Sony HC-21 would upload on USB doing something, but I had to add a IEEE card and Firewire to effectively upload. Firewire is better, but Firewire might also be required. Please suggest. Also, what is the 'LANC' output (fourth from left and last output provided on the handycam)? A jack to accommodate a wired remote for control of the camera's functions. Here's what would plug into it: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read....essage=1711078 A gadget most of us would never need. -- Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida |
#5
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDVcamcorder?
On Jan 17, 9:00 am, vj wrote:
Hi all, I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Now I am not sure which is the firewire port in my PC/Laptop. My Handycam has an output marked 'DV out' and with a symbol 'i' near it (second output from left out of four outputs present) that I understand is the output where firewire cable is to be connected (there is another output near it (first from left) with a USB sign on it). Now, my problem is like this: I have two cables, which both fit in the 'DV out' port of the handycam. Out of these two, one cable is having identical connector at the other end, and my laptop and my Desktop both have a port which matches this. The second cable is having a slightly bigger connector at the other end (of the size of a USB connector but thinned out slightly from one side, sorry I don't know what it is called). My Desktop has a receptacle for this as well, whereas my Laptop doesn't. I am not sure which cable out of these two gives a better quality video. Please suggest. Also, what is the 'LANC' output (fourth from left and last output provided on the handycam)? Thankyou while some cameras DO have a USB output, your editing software may not accept it. Almost all editing software can make use of Firewire inputs. The LANC connector is a two-way link that provides control. You can start, stop, maybe even zoom lens, and read the time/footage value if you want to control camera with a computer. |
#6
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
On 17 Jan 2008 15:29:54 GMT, Bert Hyman wrote:
(vj) wrote in : I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Firewire might be faster than USB, but why would it provide better quality video? Bits is bits, after all. Transfers with USB from a Sony will sometimes be jerky and unstable. Why, I don't know, but I've seen it. Some editing programs require Firewire tranfer for Capture. I haven't used it for awhile, but I believe Pinnacle Studio requires Firewire. One of the programs I tried did. -- Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida |
#7
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
Firewire. Hands down. It's the small vertical rectangle with
the small indentation in the middle. It should be labeled "DV/IEEE 1394". I think that whoever designed that plug made an engineering error or, at best, an engineering "oversight" which means,in the pig's English, they ****ed up. vj wrote: Hi all, I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Now I am not sure which is the firewire port in my PC/Laptop. My Handycam has an output marked 'DV out' and with a symbol 'i' near it (second output from left out of four outputs present) that I understand is the output where firewire cable is to be connected (there is another output near it (first from left) with a USB sign on it). Now, my problem is like this: I have two cables, which both fit in the 'DV out' port of the handycam. Out of these two, one cable is having identical connector at the other end, and my laptop and my Desktop both have a port which matches this. The second cable is having a slightly bigger connector at the other end (of the size of a USB connector but thinned out slightly from one side, sorry I don't know what it is called). My Desktop has a receptacle for this as well, whereas my Laptop doesn't. I am not sure which cable out of these two gives a better quality video. Please suggest. Also, what is the 'LANC' output (fourth from left and last output provided on the handycam)? Thankyou |
#8
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
Bert Hyman wrote:
(vj) wrote in : I have a Sony MiniDV handycam model DCR HC 18. I understand that using Firewire connection to transfer video to PC (and subsequently for burning DVD out of it) provides a better quality as compared to USB. Firewire might be faster than USB, but why would it provide better quality video? Bits is bits, after all. But stationary bits are not the same as bits in motion. Bits transferred in large quantities [packets, I believe is the term] keep their "original" shape better the faster they are moved en bloc. Digital images captured in color pose the greatest technological challenge to program and hardware designers. |
#9
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
(redflag) wrote in
: Bits transferred in large quantities [packets, I believe is the term] keep their "original" shape better the faster they are moved en bloc. That's pretty silly. A packet full of bits is nothing but a bunch of individual bits, sent one after another. -- Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | |
#10
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which out of these two cables/ports is best for my miniDV camcorder?
Bert Hyman wrote:
(redflag) wrote in : Bits transferred in large quantities [packets, I believe is the term] keep their "original" shape better the faster they are moved en bloc. That's pretty silly. A packet full of bits is nothing but a bunch of individual bits, sent one after another. Hey, don't complain, I feel the same way as you. But please keep in mind that I made the distinction between bits that were standing still and bits that were in motion. I'm sure I don't need to remind you that when bits of data are transferred from one device to another they are almost instantly set into motion. The speed of that "motion" of bits taking place has an effect of their ultimate quality in the host device. Otherwise what you say is absolutely true: Bits is bits. |
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