Alternatives to using camera for capture

I've been lucky enough to be designated the "official" videographer for our high school basketball teams. I am cranking out anywhere between 2 and 8 videos a week, plus a few more events in between. I use IM to IDVD, burn the image, delete the projects and start over again. I use a rather expensive camera and would prefer to keep it in good shape for a few years. Between the shooting, rewinding, capturing and rewinding again (yes I do reuse my tapes several times)I am concerned about the wear and tear on my camera. What are my options here? I can find minidv player/recorders but they are over a $1000 and I'm not sure if they would be any more longlasting than a camera or if they are compatible with capturing on IM. I am leaning towards buying a more inexpensive minidv camera.
Your thoughts?
If you know of a better place to post this question, I'm all ears.

If you want to save wear and tear on your expensive (shooting) camera, then as long as it's in good condition, and the head and transport alignment isn't out of kilter you should be able to use a cheap miniDV camcorder (with a FireWire connection) to import your tapes into iMovie.
Shoot with your expensive camcorder, and edit (..i.e; play and rewind tapes..) with a cheaper bottom-of-the-range camcorder ..after all, it's only the tape transport and playback heads which you'll need, and not the expensive optics and video-capture circuitry.
If all's aligned correctly, then any Standard Play miniDV tape should play back on any other miniDV camcorder.
CAUTION: Anything recorded at Long Play speed might NOT play back on another camcorder or deck, as tolerances (track widths) are so fine at LP speed than no manufacturer guarantees LP recordings' compatibility when played back on other equipment.

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Alternatives to using Zenworks for Roaming Profiles

Novell support tells me I should be using a dedicated Server for Zenworks
This would be a real over kill!
So, are there any alternatives to using Zenworks for Roaming profiles?
Googeling I see SAMBA can support Roaming Profiles
Samba is installed & I created Samba users via SBE Admin but when I select
Samba Administration - seems to be no details ie. users, workgroup name etc?
Is Novell Samba differently?
Is it possible setup Roaming Profiles with Novell Samba?

I'm gonna attempt this with a couple of scripts - (one added to login script
& the other at shutdown)
to copy Desktop & Favorites - already told users they will be shot if the
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(It would be nice to do Desktop Colour / Image etc so the user feels at home
but...)
"W_ Prindl" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Although I use OWS SBE I never use the integrated Simba tools, etc. I
> install everything using the standard non SBE methods. So I don't know
> if you installed SLES Samba or OES ( = Novell) Samba. Of course Novell
> Samba is different from plain Samba as it provides integrated
> Edirectory logon and - if using NSS volumes - transparent consistent
> file access rights.
>
> For Novell Samba your users have to be LUM enabled.
>
> But roaming profiles should work regardless of the Samba server in use.
> But of course - if you do not have a common configuration source such
> as a domain or Zenworks - you will have to configure your roaming ( =
> server-stored) profiles locally at each PC for each user individually.
> Should be possible in a 10 users/10 PCs environment - but that are 100
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>
> BTW I have Zenworks and Groupwise running on the same server in a small
> setup similar to yours.
>
> Only negative thing with Zenworks Configuration Management is, that it
> is a real resource hog at the client side. Recent dual core or quad
> core processor PCs have no problem, but older dual cores and single
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> --
> W. Prindl
>
>
> Chris wrote:
>
>>Novell support tells me I should be using a dedicated Server for
>>Zenworks This would be a real over kill!
>>
>>So, are there any alternatives to using Zenworks for Roaming profiles?
>>
>>Googeling I see SAMBA can support Roaming Profiles
>>
>>Samba is installed & I created Samba users via SBE Admin but when I
>>select Samba Administration - seems to be no details ie. users,
>>workgroup name etc?
>>
>>Is Novell Samba differently?
>>
>>Is it possible setup Roaming Profiles with Novell Samba?

I cannot get CS6 to recognize my Sony DCR-TRV340 camera for capturing video from that camera. CS6 c

I cannot get CS6 to recognize my Sony DCR-TRV340 camera for capturing video from that camera. The CS6 capture box keeps putting up a message that capture device is off line. The Sony DCR-TRV340 camera is not listed in the CS6 Device Type list in the CS6 DV/HDV device control settings box of Sony cameras. I've downloaded what I think are the correct drivers for the TRV340, and when I plug the camera into the computer, the computer shows it listed in the devices and printers box, but CS6 will not recognize it. Do I need to install these drivers into a specific folder in the CS6 program? If so, where do I find these drivers in the windows 7 professional operating system, and into which CS6 file folder would I copy them to?

Most camera's are not listed in Device controle, set it to Sony and generic. Yours is very old its a Digital 8 camera (I still got a TRV210). Johns second link wont work with your camera.
You do not need to download drivers nor do you need to install anything. Most likely its the Legacy driver.
Read though this document.
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/828/cpsid_82848.html
General rule is connect camera to pc wait until windows reconigzes the camera.
Fire up Premiere and capture.
Never connect the camera to pc when the camera is on.

24p cameras for recording and 30i cameras for capture

Hey. I am inexperienced with 24p options for video cameras, but I know it gives video a film look. After filming with the Canon XL2 in 24p, I returned the camera to the owner and took the filmed footage and put it into my Sony steadycam (DCR-PC 330) for capture to FCP. The image I see comes out a little interlaced, and I am wondering, am I even doing this right!? Can my Sony (aka miniDV deck) camcorder capture this tape that recorded earlier in the day, 24p?? Also, what kind of set-up should I put for FCP settings? If set up properly, am I supposed to see the timecode go to :23 before it resets to 0 since I SHOT it in 24fps?
Respectfully,
Jay Spedizzle
Mac OS X (10.3.9)

...

CS4 won't recognize DV camera for capture

I installed CS4 Master Collection and all works well except for Premiere. It won't capture. The error is " Can't activate controller. Try re-setting Camera" Windows New Found Hardware recognizes it and says it's ready to use. I click "No Action" or "Edit using Premiere" still does not work. In device control and capture I have adjusted the setting from generic to the brand names/models of both cameras I tried. It does say "Off Line" and when I turn the camera on, it gives me the error. I have not tried to update my video driver but I didn't think that would have anything to do with it. Any suggestions Please?
Thank you - Art
Beyond One
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Error:Can't activate recorder
Cheers
Eddie
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Newbie - use camera for video and external microphone?

Hi,
This is a totally newbie question, but I'm a total newbie to the video part of the mac universe.
I want to use a camcorder to "stream" live video into iMovie (which will record it to the hard drive), and use an EXTERNAL microphone, plugged into the microphone port of the computer, as the audio source (I want to use a good mic).
Will iMovie support doing this? Is it automatic that the external mic overrides the mic on the camcorder?
Thanks,
Dmitri
P.S. this is part of a bigger question, which is, how to get the best possible audio using a standard (cheap) camcorder. I haven't bought a camcorder yet, and am open to getting one that can take a good mic through a line-in. Any suggestions? - Thanks, D

I wrote a reply to your earlier post ..but either the system went offline, or some other glitch occurred, and the post didn't appear. So I'll try to answer your earlier message and the one just above.
Congratulations on getting the camera, by the way!
"..play video through camera" option in the preferences, which MUTES the sound in iMovie.." ..Yes, this has been standard in iMovie from the earliest versions. There may be a slight delay between the audio you hear straight from the camera and the audio coming out of your Mac. To stop the annoyance of hearing the audio separately and slightly out-of-sync (..you'll find that the video on the Mac lags very slightly, too, during import..) you can turn OFF the Mac's audio with that preference.
"..I assume this goes away if I unplug the firewire cable.." ..er..? You mean that the preference switches back when you unplug? I can't remember: try it. But don't unplug the FW cable in the middle of an import!
What I was previously trying to post was:
"..instructional/promotional videos to display online.." ..You don't say if you'll be walking around to do these demos, or if you're demonstrating computer software. If walking around you might want to use a "gun" mic to point at you, or a tie-clip mic, so that it's always clipped to your clothes ..but that will trail a cable to the camcorder unless you use a radio mic. [..And you've now bought a tie-clip mic; well done..]
If you're doing demos of computer software, then you probably wouldn't need a camcorder at all, but just a "screen-recorder" application like 'Snapz Pro' or 'iShowU'. In that case, you'd just want a simple mic to stand on your desk, to record your speech as you work your computer, and for adding extra narration afterwards.
I still don't understand why you want to capture directly to iMovie. If you're using a camcorder, surely you'd want to capture to tape, in case you need to do three or four "takes" of the same material ..and then you only need to import, and fill up your hard disc with, the best of those takes.
And if you're recording a computer screen, then you wouldn't capture with iMovie at all, but with one of those other programs, above..

Does anyone know if there is a way to connect the iPad 4 to a canopus box and use it for capturing video live?, Does anyone know if there is a way to connect the iPad 4 to a canopus box and use it for capturing video live?

I am the Video Coordinator at Samford University and have found the quality of video capture on the iPad 4 AMAZING, however I need to convert all my files through a canopus in order to Capture and Cut live like I do with a regular video camera. I can get the tripod and mount for the iPad, I was just wondering if anybody knows exactly how/if there is a way to connect to the canopus from an iPad.
Look forward to hearing what you guys and girls say.

I'm a bit vague about what it is you wish to accomplish. Are you trying to capture video through an external box? If so, that's not posssible with any of the Canopus boxes I'm familar with. In fact I don't know of any external video capture solution that works with an iPad, though I can't state definitively that none exist. I really don't think an iPad would be well suited for this even if it's possible. I'd strongly suggest you look into a MacBook Air or one of the current MacBook Pros. Those are far better suited for on-the-fly video capture and editing.
If that's not what you mean, please post back and explain further what it is you wish to accomplish.
Regards.

Use Camera with capture card

Hi,
I'm using the camera method to view input from a webcam or to
view input from my capture card locally.
My webcam looks perfect, but I don't see any input from my
capture card.
Of course I've got input (tested with windows media encoder).
Should I activate or define the input (composite video,
s-video) or anything.
If yes.... How do I do this...
Thanks.
greetz Vince

Hi,
I have a similar problem. I want to use a webcam by the
composite connection and a dvd-recorder by the s-video connection
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get the correct input source, that I have defined inside the
capture card configuration tool ?
Thanks,
Franz

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IBM Tivoli
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Firewire Not Registering Camera for Capture

I have a Canon HV10 High Def camera. I was able to capture footage for a short time, before I took it into my work computer. Now I can't capture footage in FCP. It seems like the camera never registers when I plug it in. Is there anything I can do to get this to work agian?

Trask your preferences and repair your permissions, and if neither solve the problem, try this:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852
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A good miniDV camera for footage capture for FC6?

I've got a Macbook Pro and FC6 and I'm looking to buy a miniDV camera just for the purpose of capturing my footage. I'm looking for a cheap camera, like the Samsung SC-D382, but don't know what sort of specifications to look for. Can I use a USB cable to capture footage, or does it need to be a 6 pin firewire cable? Also, does anyone have any recommendations regarding cheap but good cameras for capturing? Thanks!

look for a camera that also has A/V inputs and will pass them through to firewire. That way, if the need arises, you can capture from an analog source such as a VCR (archiving, perhaps). This is a great budget solution, as dedicated D/A converters can cost as much as or more than a cheap miniDV camera.

How to capture JPEG files by using camera

Hi, now I have a problem, I need your help, I am trying to use a camera that capture JPEG files from camera, I have used those related classes(JMF), but I still can not capture any JPEG files from it.
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I have the same problem.
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I use my camera for video and photos. When I download my videos to my ipad1 using the camera connection kit, they will not play on my ipad. Is there a way I can get them to play?

I use my camera for video and photos. When I download my videos to my ipad1 using the camera connection kit, they will not play.
Does anyone know how I can make this work?

Yvonne-
I haven't tried videos on my camera yet. Do you use the Videos App to play them? I don't think they will play in the Photos App.
If yours are in a format that is not in Vazandrew's list, you may need to sync them to your computer and convert them to M4V or MP4 format. You can use a program like HandBrake to do the conversion. <HandBrake> Once converted, you can sync them back to the iPad and they should play.
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Fred

Which is the best low-cost camera for my use?

Hi everyone. Been busy and off the forums for a while, but need your expertise once again.
I just found out that the Panasonic HVX-200p that's been on loan to me for 2 years has to be returned. Since I run a non-profit, I am thinking about asking my major donors to buy one for us. So, the question becomes which one? I own the CS4 MC, and you can see my other info in my profile.
I only do educational-type videos in an interview format against a green screen so far. I've been capturing direct to OnLocation via 1394 FireWire at 720p/60fps and editing in an HDV 720p/30 sequence. I sometimes do "man on the street" segments (capturing to OnLocation on laptop). I integrate numerous PSD graphics as educational slides, a lot of AE projects I get from videohive and customize, render, & import into PP, and motion backgrounds like Pond5's weekly free stock footage (much of this stuff gets resized, of course). I do some scoring and some SFX and export the audio to SB for touchup. I use a bunch of Lowes/Home Depot worklamps with fluorescent bulbs for lighting the subject and background. I key my backgrounds using PP/AE Dynamic Link. Oh, and I'll need a lapel mic and a tripod, too. I would prefer not to rule out shooting at 1080i/p at some point.
I export H.264 highlight clips which get uploaded to Vimeo and embedded in our website using prettyPhoto features. Ultimately, the finished PP project is exported as MPEG2-DVD, finished in Encore, burned via ImgBurn. If you want to see a good example, watch this http://vimeo.com/23346431. Caution: this is religious material. Be sure to repent before watching
So, there's not really much heavy lifting here. But when it comes to what is the minimum I need with the options of capture formats, etc., I'm clueless. I've read about problems with AVCHD, and although low-cost, is it really a problem for what I do? I trust this forum more than online reviews, and I'd appreciate recommendations of specific models and where to buy, if possible. Also, what about used cameras? Please remember, the budget is tight.
All suggestions and questions are welcome and very much appreciated.
Paul

Actually, two things surprise me in your statement and one is simply incorrect:
As for Broadcast quality..... a little station called CNN - you might have heard about them bought 250 of them from Panasonic about a year ago.
First, that CNN would buy JVC cameras not from JVC, but from Panasonic.
Second, there are no JVC cameras on the BBC approved list at all, see http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/site/BBC_Approved_HD_Cameras.pdf and the only affordable ones on the list in the handheld category are the Canon XF300/305. Maybe that is the reason the BBC bought 350 of these. Even the Sony XDCAM EX is only accepted in combination with a 50 Mb disk drive, not in the native 35 Mb format.
The BBC approved list is a list that most broadcasters adhere to, including CNN, Discovery, ARD and NGC.
The JVC GY-HD100U is definitely not acceptable for HD, and in no way HD broadcast ready. But that CNN bought that number of these cameras is probably caused by the fact that they think these deliver better quality than regular phones. And it does not use XDCAM, but a very simple HDV codec, limited to 1280 x 720 resolution. See http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/specs.jsp?model_id=MDL101539&feature_id=03
This simply means that the Canon codec is very acceptable to the BBC for HD programs. The XF100 uses the same codec, but is only a single sensor camera and for that reason alone not approved by the BBC.
Paul, if you can live with the limitations of a single sensor camera - and given your intended purposes, I think you can - the JVC does not even come close and the XF100 material will be hardly worse than the XF300/305. To the untrained eye the results are almost the same.

Seeking new camera for use with FCP

Right now, I get dropped frames when I import video, whether via direct FireWire from my Panasonic 601, via my VCR or when I run video through an ADS converter. I run the video into a LaCie 500 GB Big Disk Extreme and I can't imagine that FireWire would not be enough to bring in video without dropped frames. I have read many posts here and all seem to lead to the hard drive, which mine should be more than adequate.
I had intended to upgrade my camera last year, that did not happen, so looking at doing it now. This camera will be used for personal use, not for gigs. But I do not want to get a camera that will A) not dump video into FCP without a fight and B) continue this dropped frame garbage (if it has anything to do with the camera at all).
I need to be able to hook the camera up to the FW port, got to log & capture, hit play and watch that sucker take the whole piece without a hiccup. It never made sense to me that FCP would not just keep capturing video even if there is a gap between segments. Maybe I am just missing a setting, but that never made sense to me. I can see it losing sync, but doing the whole stop-drop-&-roll makes no sense to me as a user. Granted, I am not an engineer.
Any hints on good affordable cameras are appreciated. I still have about 30 home videos of 90 minutes length to get on DVD, so I am leaning back towards miniDV again. If someone can make an argument otherwise I am all ears.
Thanks!!
jf

What device control setting are you using? there is firewire ntsc, and firewire ntsc basic. Try changing that to see if it makes any difference.
In your user preferences there are options to set how fcp reacts on dropped frames and timecode breaks during capture. Check that these settings are to your satisfaction.
Are you attempting to capture now? Or are you logging and capturing/batch capturing?
Personally I suspect that it is the Lacie BigDisk causing the problem, in that you're trying to capture video, perform device control, and send the video to the external drive, all via firewire. Try capturing to the internal drive. Also, a lot of cameras don't play nice with other stuff on the firewire bus. All the fw ports on a mac are on the same bus so it's sometimes necessary to actually unmount the drive before trying to capture. I'd try all these options in the interest of establishing what the problem is before you spend money trying to fix it.
You'd really be better off getting a big internal SATA drive to use as your media drive, much better value and faster.

Alternatives to using camera for capture

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