Misleading "DV Processing" Claim?

AAProds wrote on 9/8/2023, 9:20 PM

Prompted by a recent post, I had a good look at the Rescue Your Videtapes Magix page. On it is this statement:

"The MAGIX USB video converter includes connections for Scart, S-Video, and RCA. This makes digitization possible for VHS, S-VHS, Video8, Hi8, and Betamax formats. Digital8, MiniDV, and DV can also be processed." (my bolding)

I consider that I have a good handle on this stuff and think that this statement is just plain wrong. That dongle cannot accept "DV". The only way DV can be processed with this setup is via the Composite or S-Video ports on the camcorder if they exist, which is, of course, not DV.

Anybody else's thoughts before I raise it with Magix?

Comments

SP. wrote on 9/8/2023, 10:10 PM

@AAProds I think for DV you need a FireWire input on your computer. But this connection is so old that computers no longer include it. If I remember it correctly my old laptop from 2006 and had a FireWire input.

Not sure if there are any DV capture cards today. In the early 2000s Canopus made such devices, but they were very expensive, like hundreds of dollars. If you want to get them used they are still as expensive as back in the day and very likely only work on Windows XP.

AAProds wrote on 9/8/2023, 11:13 PM

@SP. Yes, that's where this advert is misleading: for a pure DV transfer, you need Firewire, which this product doesn't have.

Those Canopus boxes required a Firewire port on the computer.

johnebaker wrote on 9/9/2023, 12:57 AM

@AAProds

Hi Al

. . . . Digital8, MiniDV, and DV can also be processed . . . .

The words 'via Firewire' are missing, just as the inclusion of a Firewire port by motherboard manufacturers in the last 10 or so years..

I would assume that most users of DV cameras 'know' that they can transfer to PC by Firewire from the camera which 15 - 20 years ago was 'the communication' protocol for 'high speed' transfers, which, as we found at work, can be very flaky with a high interface failure rate either in camera or the PC, and has been effectively killed off by USB which is a far more robust interface.

@SP.

. . . . Not sure if there are any DV capture cards today.. . . .

Surprisingly there are still some add on cards available from reputable manufacturers, plus 'Firewire to USB converters' which are total junk - they do not have the internal chips for changing the incompatible protocols used.

Added - I see Al has made the same comment re the 'converteer cables' in another topic.

John EB

emmrecs wrote on 9/9/2023, 4:02 AM

@SP.

Not sure if there are any DV capture cards today. In the early 2000s Canopus made such devices, but they were very expensive, like hundreds of dollars. If you want to get them used they are still as expensive as back in the day and very likely only work on Windows XP.

I actually have a Canopus ACE DVio PCI card in my current desktop, running very successfully under Win 10. I use it regularly for all sorts of source to computer video digitisation projects.

I agree about the price of those Canopus external, free-standing convertors! I still see them occasionally offered for sale on various sites (e.g., eBay) at rather ridiculous prices and the Canopus/Grass Valley user forum still sees occasional posts appearing where users are asking about exactly how to achieve successful transfers!

In my case, my convertor card I bought new, (and much reduced in price) from Amazon UK, for about £140, several years ago. I think it may well have been the time when Canopus were ceasing manufacture of them and this was Amazon wanting to get rid of their last remaining stock.

Jeff

AAProds wrote on 9/9/2023, 4:58 AM

@SP.

Not sure if there are any DV capture cards today.

I recently installed a cheapie from Amazon and it goes like a champion on Win 11. If you have more than a few DV tapes, it's definitely worthwhile sticking one of these in your machine.

browj2 wrote on 9/9/2023, 7:42 AM

@AAProds

Hi Al,

I agree with John EB. The wording is misleading, "can also be processed," which is basically true since you can import using the USB converter. I agree that better wording should be included or at least a disclaimer about firewire.

I think that my old computer has a firewire card, quite possibly installed by me from the even older computer. However, I can't find the firewire cable. I think that I gave it to my son many years ago with a DV camera. The I only have a few DV cassettes that I would like to read in using it, but I gave up and used the USB converter.

John CB