Converting analog signals into digital signals

I have been transferring analog video cassettes to iMovie for further editing by using a digital camcorder (Canon MV960) between the 8mm video camcorder (analog camcorder) and iMac. I have always done this without any cassette in the digital camcorder, i.e. I have been using the digital camcorder as an analog/digital converter only.
I recently acquired iMovie HD 6 but this most recent version of iMovie refuses to import any signal from the analog camcorder via the digital camcorder. The window in iMovie is empty with an error message saying that "no tape". Well, it's true, there is no tape, there never was any tape when I used the previous version of iMovie!
Does this mean that I have to convert the analog video tape into digital video tape and, once recorded in digital format, the digital tape can be imported in iMovie HD 6?
All cable connections are OK:
- the analog film could be seen in the screen of the digital camcorder:
- digital video tape could be imported to iMovie HD 6.

Hi 5480:
try running a permissions repair (which should actually be done before and after upgrading software). You will find it in applications / utility / disk utility.
Also, this is a copy of how Matti Haveri (iMovie Guru) sets up analoge to DV:
My Analog to DV passthrough settings memo:
1. Take the tape out of the camcorder
2. Connect the analog device's audio and video to the camcorder's minijack, use the S-Video jack for video if the output device supports S-Video
3. Put the camcorder into VTR-mode
4. Select A/V->DV out: ON, in VTR mode's menu choices
5. Disable the info display on the the camcorder by toggling its DISPLAY button
6. Put iMovie (or other DV application) to the Camera Mode
The analog image should now appear on the camcorder's screen as well as on the iMovie's screen.
Note that if you have a tape in the camcorder, you have to put the camcorder's VTR into REC mode (you may pause the tape) but this is not advisable because it produces wear to the tape.
* Note that the SCART which comes with the European nEUtered TRV320E camcorder is Out-only.
Sue

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How to convert analog scalar into digital value

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Thanks.

Hi abdel2,
It sounds like you are trying to measure digital data from your system. If that is the case, you should be able to connect to a digital input line if your DAQ card had them. Then you can set up a digital acquisition in LabVIEW that will interpret the signal as a boolean input.
If you are not able to do this, you can approximate the digital behavior by reading analog data, and pragmatically determining a threshold (for example 2.2V), though this is a less efficient way to do it.
Regards,
Stephen S.
National Instruments
Applications Engineering

How to convert a analog signal to digital signal

Hello,
How to convert an analog signal into digital signal such that every sample of analog signal corresponding to 1.2V will be represented as '1' in digital signal and other samples of analog signal(that are not 1.2v) will be represented(converted) as '0' in digital signal.
And how to display both wavefroms or signals in graph indicators.
Thanks.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

If you have 1000 samples, and you want to convert to digital, you are going to get 1000 digital values. Attached is what I mean.
Unofficial Forum Rules and Guidelines - Hooovahh - LabVIEW Overlord
If 10 out of 10 experts in any field say something is bad, you should probably take their opinion seriously.
Attachments:
Analog_to_Digital Hooovahh Edit.vi ‏52 KB

Directly convert the analog signals into digital without passing through FPGA

To whom it may concern,
I am using a SCB-68 board R-series and I have a couple of technical questions:
In my system at the moment 8 analog channels are connected to the 8 input analog ports and then data are sent to a FPGA (PXI system 7852R). I am planning now to add other 4 channels to the system. Since over the total 12 channels I just need a very fast acquisition mode (using the FPGA) for 6 of them, while the other 6 can be sampled in a ms scale, I was wondering if you can suggest me something that I can use to directly convert the analog signals into digital and in this way used many unused digital signals provided with this model.
Thanks in advance.

yes it is correct, what do you need is:
software + (pc) + PXI + cable + chassis + C-series module
With embedded controllers, there’s no need for an external PC
With PXI remote control kits, you can control PXI systems directly from desktops, laptops, or server computers.
What Is PXI?
To configure a complete PXI System please go to: Build Your PXI System

When converting analog video to digital to my macbook the audio desyncs halfway through. Any ideas?

I am trying to convert Analog video to digital to my Macbook for work, and every time I run it through my converter the audio De-syncs about halfway into the video. Does anyone know how to go about fixing this issue or have had similar issues to this? I have no issues when converting to my PC, but only my Mac. Thanks!

Hi Rick,
I am extracting the material from the dvd directly using handbrake. The file that handbrake creates lands on the desktop. I then ammend the end of the filename from mp4 to m4v. Following this I click and drag the file onto the itunes icon in the dock. I can then download it to the ipod no problem. The dropouts occur no matter where I play the file. In other words, on the desktop (with QT), in the itunes library and on the pod.
I went back and looked at all the dvd's that are giving me this trouble. The culprit seems to be that the audio signal is in LPCM (linear pulse code modulation). Just for the **** of it, I tried to rip one track using handbrake changing the sampling rate of the audio to 48,000 Hz which I believe is what LPCM uses (previously I had set it at 41,000 Hz in handbrake). But no go, still has dropouts. One of these problem dvd's has a second audio option in AC3 (2ch). As a test, I ripped one song using that. Dropouts are gone. However, the audio is a director's commentary (on the music video he shot) with the music in the background, so it's not what I want.
Is there any way to convert LPCM to AC3? Or any other way to fix this dropout problem.
Thanks,
Pete

How can i change analog waves into digital waves?

we had labview lab last week.. were doing fine if we have instructions unfortunately the professor will give us an exercise regarding baseband signals spectra.. were trying to download a trial software but we dont have any luck. the question asks for us to change analog waves into digital waves, measure the amplitude of the 5-th harmonic using spectrum analyzer.. i hope you can help me thnx..

After you are successful getting LabVIEW on your computer, put together something to at least show us you're up for learning. Then we can guide you to a solution that you've developed (mostly) on your own.
Bill
(Mid-Level minion.)
My support system ensures that I don't look totally incompetent.
Proud to say that I've progressed beyond knowing just enough to be dangerous. I now know enough to know that I have no clue about anything at all.

Converting analog footage to digital help please!

I have a Canon GL1 and I tried running the VHS deck to the RCA cables to the GL1 then through to the Computer via Firewire but it doesn't work. Whenever I plug the firewire in the signal from the RCA is instantly gone. I heard you could use Sony cameras to convert Analog to Digital but it doesn't work with my GL1 also (I know you are supposed to use the "none controllable device" capture setting in FCP).
What I want is to go direct capture from my VHS deck to my camera to my computer without recording to minidv first.
Any help with this would be great!

hi focused!
As an avid Canon user myself, I'm sorry to say that the GL1 does not support "digital pass through"--what you're trying to achieve by using the camera as an on-the-fly analog to digital converter. The newer GL2 (among other newer models) does.
However, you can record your VHS signal onto a miniDV tape then via firewire get it onto your Mac. A longer process, but do-able. That said, if you have a little money to spend there are some inexpensive analog-digital converters available.
Hope that helps and nice to talk to another islander
Cheers (and aloha).

Scb-68 and PCI-8331 what is converting my analog sgnal into digital%3F

Long ago, around 7 years ago, I worked on a project in which I interface photodetector to my computer through SCB-68 kit. The SCB-68 kit was connected to computer using PCI-8331 card.
Now, my input was analog signal from photodetector but at programming interface I was getting digital values for computation. Now my confusion about the conversion task done by which part of this connection?
SCB-68 was converting the input signal and supplying digital output? or PCI-8331 was doing digitization before delivering information to computer? or labview itself was doing it after getting signal from PCI-8331?
can anyone please clear me?
Thanks!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

The scb-68 is just a dumb terminal block. The pci-8331 is http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/13179 and does not connect to photodetectors so your memory is flawed about the part number. An actual DAQ card would have done the conversion.

Convert analog video to digital using a miniDV camcorder

Hi hi
So I want to convert some old analog videos I have from about 10 or so years ago to digital so I can edit them in iMovie HD. I've been reading a lot of the forums around and have successfully (I think) connect the analog video camera to the the miniDV (a Sony Handycam DCR-HC30E) using that A/V jack in the digital recorder and the analog to connect them. And the digital recorder is connected to the computer via firewire. So that's all right.
But now I'm up to the stage where I need to import it into iMovie HD (version 5.0.2) and it's been stubborn and not doing anything. I press play on the analog like people have said but iMovie just says "Camera no tape" and the "import" is unclickable.
Please please please please help! I've no idea what I'm doing wrong!
So just for quick reference, I'm using:
iMovie HD 5.0.2
Sony Handycam DCR-HC30E (Mini DV) and
Panasonic NV-VZ1 (analog video recorder)
P.S I don't want to have to record onto the the mini DV tapes because I've got none.
Thanks!

Hi catspaw! Thanks for replying
I probably should have mentioned before that I did change the 'A/V to DV out' to on, and I think that's the same as "passthrough"
And I've tried suggestion 2 as well, but to no avail! The connection either dropped once I took the tape out or it started to film on my iSight camera! Which is bizarre because my iMovie usually does not let me film with it! I've also been able to film with the camera connected to the computer and recording on the computer and see what I'm fliming on the computer.
But thanks for your help anyway!

Converting analog video to digital

I'am currently running on a new powerbook G4 OS 10.4 and having great difficulty getting my computer to read my camera. The problem is that my camera is connected to a digital converter. Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge. My camera is a Sharp that runs Hi-8 tapes. If anybody has any clue on how to get my computer to recognize this set up I would greatly appreciate it.

Brian,
I have the same Hollywood DV set up and every now and then it acts goofy. Take a look at the lights at the top. the lowest one (AtoD) should be green. (analog to digital) If all lights are red click the switch on the top rear of the Dazzle unit.
Also use the firewire port on the rear. Seems like mine has an issue with the front.
Lastly save and exit the I movie program and restart AFTER hooking up and selecting Ato D.
Make sure you set the switch on iMovies interface to "camera".
One last thing. You have to work the camera by it's controls. You won't get them to work through I movie.
If this doesn't help hook up a VCR to the DV Bridge, Hit play and see if it sends through to iMovie. If it does it's your camera or connecting cable.

Trouble using Canopus to convert analog videos to digital for iMovie

I am trying to convert my old Sony HandyCam Video 8 analog videos so that I can edit them on iMovie and burn them on a disc. I have connected it as described in the directions but although my computer recognizes the device, I just get the blue import screen and no picture or sound. I have pressed play on the camera and video is running there but does not appear on the screen. Any idea what I am doing wrong? It is connected with the 6pin firewire that came with it to the computer and the DV out plug... and on the other side it is connected with the two plugs I use with the camera...Video IN and Audio IN... and Video OUT and Audio OUT on the camera. The camera is in the player mode with power on. And my computer is a new MacBook Pro with iMovie 08.
Really need help. Thanks

K.C.S.
I am having the same problem ADVC-55 to MacBook Pro and iMovie 8. I was able to convert two full VHS tapes but when I started the third, no go. Red status light and nothing I have tried will get it to green. I tried myVCR and iMovie 7, also no go.
Geoff

Converting analog home movies to Digital

Hopeing to find someone else who has already solved this problem...After slacking off for twenty years or so, I'm, finally converting my ancient, stone-tablet home movies to DVD. I have a Sony DCR-TRV460 Camcorder doing the heavy lifting. It's supposed to convert Analog tapes to digital signals on the fly. I have a stack of old 8 mm tapes, that a Sony DCR TRV130 recorded for me from even older VCR video tapes. Unfortunately, the TRV130 is frozen and inoperative, maybe I'll have to have it repaired....All the tapes play fine on the TRV460's screen, but Imovie only recognizes the newest ones, actually recorded on the 460, the ones "converted" from the 130 just show a blue screen, probably some analog-to-digiital error. I'm useing a Firewire cable, the usb cable apparently isnt fully supported. I remember reading long ago that the 460 doesent fully support on-the-fly conversion. anyone been able to make this work? do I need a differernt camcorder? Maybe I just have the av-DVsettings wrong? Any clues fom by Buddies out in the Ether will be appreciated! Useing a "Early 2008" Mac Pro Tower.
Jim

I did this a few years ago with a Sony TRV-230.
It was very fussy. Sometimes it would drop out and give me the blue screen and I would have to try several times before I got it all. It helps to fully fast forward and rewind the 8mm tapes so if they are sagging to one side of the cassette, they are back to the center so they don't drag on the sides of the cassette enclosure. I generally had to use the manual mode and watch it all the time.

Analog Signal to Digital a Primer

Many users have analog material sitting around, and they would like to get it into digital form, so that it can be edited. As this material is below SD (Standard Definition) quality, I will address the methods for digitizing it, so that it can be best edited in a DV Project. The output can be a DVD-Video, or other format, depending on what one wishes.
The process of getting this analog material into a digital form, is referred to as Capturing, and it is digitizing the analog material and writing it to a file, that can be edited.
One will need some method of getting the analog signals into digital form, and for connecting the analog output from their analog playback device to the computer. Though the analog signal could come from all sorts of devices, I’ll use a VHS tape deck in this example.
Since a VHS tape deck does not have an A-D (Analog to Digital) processor, and also does not have a a digital signal Out, one needs something in between it, and the computer. That “something” serves two needs: mechanical connection of cables and the ability to convert the analog to digital for use in an NLE (Non Linear Editor). That “something” can be a digital video camera with pass-through capabilities, a device, called a “bridge,” or a capture card inserted into a bus slot in the computer. All three have pluses and minuses.
The first two methods rely on one having a FireWire connection on the computer and will use the Capture module in the NLE software.
The digital video camera route is good, as one already owns it. Having one with pass-through capabilities is getting more difficult. The camera also has to have FireWire (FW, IEEE-1394a, or iLink) output, and the computer must have a matching connection.
An A-D bridge will do the same thing: allow one to connect the analog cables to one end/side, process the analog signals to digital and then output via FW to the computer. There are various such bridges available and two of the most often recommended makes/models are: the ADS-Pryo, and theCanopus/Grass Valley ADVC-110. Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
A dedicated capture card performs the same task, with one exception. The card will mount into an empty PCI slot on the MoBo, and have inputs for the analog cables. The card will have chips on it, to digitize the analog signals and feed these to the computer via the PCI slot. These do not connect via FW, but have one drawback: they must, in virtually every instance, use additional software to do the actual Capture, as most NLE’s cannot directly see and work with them. Some of the included software Capture programs are better, than others. One common issue with many of these cards is a loss of sync, between the Audio and the Video. This is usually static OOS (Out Of Sync), in that it is usually off by a fixed number of frames, and does not drift over time. This can be fixed in the NLE, but is extra work. This ARTICLE will give you tips on correcting OOS.
Now, we are ready to begin the Capture, as our equipment and cables are all ready to go. We have a big decision in front of us - what format/CODEC do we use to Capture our digital files? Since we are doing an SD Project with non-HD (High Def) material, there is one fine choice: DV-AVI Type II w/ 48KHz 16-bit PCM/WAV Audio, using the DV/DVC CODEC. These files will be approximately 13GB / hour of Duration. Storage will need to be considered. These files are also I-frame, meaning that each “Frame” is rendered and available, so that frame-accurate editing is possible. The NLE will not need to do any processing, or conversion of these files, as even the Audio is ready for DVD-Video. Note: there will still be Conforming and the generation of PEK (Waveform Display) files, but the NLE will be able to do this quickly and efficiently.
Using AVI Uncompressed will get you nothing that you can see, other than larger files. Do NOT use any compressed format/CODEC, like MPEG-2, WMV, MOV, etc., as these will loose data from an already inferior source, and will then need conversion to be used, either with a stand-alone conversion program, or internally by the NLE. You loose quality and then have more work to be done. Do not let the temptation of smaller files lure you into using anything but DV-AVI Type II, and just accommodate the larger file sizes.
With the file format/CODEC decision made, the cables and devices hooked up, we’re ready to start the Capture. The exact operation will depend on what our equipment choice has been. See above for talk about additional Capture software, if one uses a capture card. Otherwise, we should be able to use the Capture module of our NLE. The first issue is that we will NOT have Device Control, as we would with a Capture from a miniDV tape-based digital camera, where we can control the mechanical aspects of the camera, during this process. As our VHS deck is hooked up to the A-D bridge, or digital camera w/ pass-through, via analog cables, our control signals cannot be sent to it. One would cue up the tape in the VHS deck, and then choose Record/Capture in the NLE’s Capture module, starting the Capture. Instantly, they would hit Play on the VHS deck, or via that deck’s remote control. This is easier the second time that one does it. I sit with the mouse in my right hand, poised over the Record/Capture button, and the VHS deck’s remote in my left hand, finger hovering over Play. It’s then a 1 - 2 push, and all starts. One can stop the Capture, if an unwanted section of tape comes up. The Capture module of the NLE will direct us on how to proceed from there, should more Captures be wanted. Some will just start up at a later point, and write an additional file for that portion of the tape, but some might require that one basically sets up a new Capture session One should investigate just what their NLE will require for doing multiple Capture sessions from one VHS tape.
When done, one closes the Capture module, and then navigates to the location that these DV-AVI Type II files have been stored in, and Imports them into the Project. This differs slightly from doing the Capture from a miniDV tape camera, as those Captured files are already in the Project.
Edit away, and Export/Share to the necessary output settings, file type and CODEC.
What about those VHS - DVD decks, the ones that will burn a DVD directly from the VHS tape? They seem so simple to use, and for the most part are. However, those DVD-Video discs, contain pretty heavily-compressed MPEG-2 AV streams. These MPEG-2's, besides being compressed, are in aGOP structure and are muxed (Multiplexed into one file with both a Video & Audio stream), plus there is often some Menus and navigation in the first VOB, the main container components of a DVD-Video. Many NLE’s can Import the VOB’s, and basically rip the MPEG-2 out of them, but that first VOB can be highly problematic, due to the way that most of those decks do the Menus and navigation. It is seldom 100% DVD-compliant by the DVD-specs. This can be a major problem. This ARTICLE will give you some background and tips on DVD VOB's.
Those dual-decks are good for doing one thing, regarding the DVD’s that they produce - provide one with an archival DVD-Video of the VHS tape, and not to be edited. However, the VHS side of these works well with an A-D bridge, just like a pure VHS deck does. I would strongly recommend that one does NOT use the DVD-Video portion of these, if editing will be desired. They cause many more problems, than they solve - just use them for an “archive” copy of the tape to a DVD-Video, for playback on a computer via DVD software or a set-top player, hooked to a TV.
What about film? Well, film is obviously analog, and one needs to digitize this to edit on the computer. The process of this digitizing is referred to as telecineing the film. While one can buy equipment to do this, it is expensive, and involves a lot of setup and testing to get the job done. There are many service bureaus, that offer telecining. Some are better than others. The main considerations are: care in handling of fragile film, how the telecining is done, i.e. frame by frame w/ a liquid gate, or just by straight projection, and then output format for the digitized files. Some of these services will offer a DVD-Video disc. Do not be tempted to do this. See above. Others will offer to write these digitized files to a miniDV tape, and this is just fine. One does then need a miniDV camera, or miniDV tape deck, to then do the Capture from, but the quality and editability will be preserved. The final delivery format would be to put these DV-AVI Type II files onto an external HDD. This saves one from having to do the Capture from miniDV tape, having to have a miniDV camera, or miniDV deck, and only Importing of those files would be required to get them into the Project. Many of these service bureaus will either sell you the external, or use one provided to them. Check out specifications for things like format of the external. FAT-32 will limit the file sizes to ~ 4GB max, and NTSF will have no such limitations. However, if the service bureau is on Mac, and you’re on the PC, their Mac’s can ONLY see FAT-32 HDD’s. Talk this over with the service bureau first, so that there are no surprises later on.
Hope that this helps,
Hunt
PS - also see this FAQ Entry for more detail.

the_wine_snob wrote:
Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
Although I now have a Canopus ADVC300 I previously used a Magix 'Movies on DVD' USB device. I found the results from this to be particularly good and, to my ageing eyes, I see very little quality difference.
I think this is because Magix use their proprietary high quality codec (from their Pro products) to capture the footage. Like DV-AVI it runs around 10GB+ per hour. This can then, very simply, be exported to DV-AVI Type 2 for use in PRE. Note that there are some sound synchronisation issues with the 'out of the box' settings - but the fix is quick and I posted details to the Magix forum.
Would I revert if I could return my ADVC300 bridge? Probably not - the firewire connection and the PC seeing the box as a camcorder adds to ease of use. In fact I am pleased to have both. There are some things Magix does better than PRE7 (batch exporting each scene as an individual DV-AVI file being just one) and it has smart-rendering which is handy for quick clip splitting/exporting.
Cheers,
Neale
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children

Can we design analog to digital signal conversion block diagram (ADC) in labview

hi every one,i've doubt i.e can we convert function generator output (i.e analog signals) to digital signal in labview......can anyone help me how to create ADC circuit that means ADC Block Diagram in LABVIEW.....please give me solutions for my problem

Hi guru,
from signal generation VIs you get arrays containing float values (aka DBL). Those floats are just digital values made of 0s and 1s…
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To provide a solution you need to rephrase your question! What exactly do you expect as result of your operation?
Edit: kkkkkkk ur ckt ???
Best regards,
GerdW
CLAD, using 2009SP1 + LV2011SP1 + LV2014SP1 on WinXP+Win7+cRIO
Kudos are welcome

Analog data to digital data conversion in labwindows

Hi
Is there any library function available in Labwindows for converting Analog data to Digital Data..
Thank You

shoukat,
could you please provide some more information about the background of this question? Is there any link to motion control (this is the Motion Control forum)?
I don't understand exactly, what you are looking for. All data that you use in a programming environment are digital data - regardless of the data type. Are you looking for a data conversion from floating point to binary (e. g. a boolean array) or are you looking for data acquisition hard- and software?
Regards,
Jochen Klier
National Instruments

Converting analog signals into digital signals

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