Best capture method??

[jbcaro]

What is the best method for capturing DV. I notice that some people use 1394 and some use Y/C. Some might even use component. Is one method better than the other? What would be the file size for one vs. the other for given length of video? Would component be the best choice with the exception of very large file sizes? Getting ready to buy a DV deck and need to know if I should fork over cash for component capability or just stick with 1394 and Y/C.

Thanks,
jbcaro

[ted]

The file size will depend on the format you render to, i.e. .rtv's are "roughly" 1 gig per minute.
"I Think", Component and S-V don't need to be processed in the same way Firewire does, so it might be easier on processing, but, if you are not live switching, it really doesn’t matter.
The best format to capture from would be SDI. If your deck offers that, my thought would be to use SDI.

[jbcaro]

Not don't anything like 'live switching'. Just capturing DV that was shot on PD150 (XL2 possibly when it comes out). An SDI deck is out of my budget. I was looking more at the Sony DSR-25 & 45 or the JVC equivalents maybe. Thanks for the input.

jbcaro

[ScorpioProd]

Since your source is DV, and you're not live switching, save your money and transfer your files to the computer via firewire. You can then work on them in their native form, storing them in their native compressed state till they are needed. Actually, this is the superior quality way to do it.

[jbcaro]

Thanks Eugene. I knew the DV 'brain trust' would come through for me. Now it's just which one. Sony, JVC or other.

Thanks,
jbcaro

[ScorpioProd]

Since I don't really see any need for component I/O, I would say the DSR-25. I would stick with Sony for the "true" DVCAM support. If you get the JVC you won't be able to record DVCAM in it.