Format for Capturing MiniDV

[vixux x]

Hi,

I have my Panasonic MiniDV camcorder, and I use Adobe Premiere Pro. Until now, I have been capturing in uncompressed AVI I think. 1 hour of footage is like 26 GB. But I heard that there are other formats that take up WAY less space that are still fully compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro v2.

Could you recommend any formats that I can start using? It would be great if they were Mac Compatible too, but no biggie if they aren't.

Thanks!!!

[Awatef]

Weird, weird, you should be able to capture LOSSLESSLY at 200MB/min, which is about 12GB per hour.
You just make sure you choose DV as capture format. The content will be then copied 1:1 from the tape.

[jggimi]

If you are "capturing" via FireWire (IEEE-1394) connection, this is a digital copy of the file from tape to a file on disk in an .avi container.

I am moving this thread to our DV forum, per http://forum.doom9.org/announcement.php?f=10

[vixux x]

I am usually not using the Firewire 1394 connection. I use the USB connection. Is that the problem?

What I never understood is how when you rip from DVDs, you have full quality and yet you can fit so much in so little without loosing any quality.

I will check what you said, awatef.

But even 12 GB is ALOT. How do they do it on DVDs?

Is there a format I can capture in that is DVD compatible AND compatible with Premiere Pro?

[jggimi]

Please read the stickies in the DV forum; in particular, please read the FAQ.

For your convenience, here is a link to the FAQ:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=30495

Here is the DV to DVD guide:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=60392

And here is a link to the DV forum, showing the stickies at the top:
http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?f=59

[bb]

I am usually not using the Firewire 1394 connection. I use the USB connection. Is that the problem?
Yes, use the firewire port.
[...]But even 12 GB is ALOT. How do they do it on DVDs?
12 GB is compressed 5:1, which is much larger than DVD, but much better quality as well. DVDs use MPEG-2 compression, not DV. Unfortunately MPEG-2 is not an ideal format for editing...
Is there a format I can capture in that is DVD compatible AND compatible with Premiere Pro?
The recommended format for editing is DV, which is supported by (almost) all video editors. Many video editors have integrated DVD MPEG-2 encoding and/or authoring, but you may use your favourite MPEG-2 encoder and authoring software, too.

bb

[Mtz]

Some Panasonic cameras can transfer from MiniDV tape to PC using the USB. The result is the same as transferring using firewire: 1:1 copy from DV tape.

enjoy,
Mtz

[bb]

Ok, thank you for the addendum Mtz. The USB connection found at many camcorders is mostly for still images, though. Those that can capture DV 1:1 are non-standard, and they need special proprietary software, as far as I know (please correct me if I'm wrong).

bb

[Awatef]

Yeah, full DV quality from USB connection is not a given. Based on my experience with a Sony camcorder, the USB connection allows VCD resolution only. Only firewire copies 1:1 from the tape.

Btw vixux, firewire controllers are not expensive, you can get one for less than 10€

[FishTank]

isnt USB2.0 faster then firewire? :o
(sorry, dont mean to get this OT)

[smok3]

there is a mainconcept plugin for premiere which should be able to compress dv->mpeg2 at capture time and then also enable native mpeg2 editing... (i did not test it).

http://www.mainconcept.com/site/index.php?id=14731

kinda costy though.

p.s. dv is an iframe only codec, dvd uses delta compression, (IPB).

[vixux x]

Ok. Thanks so much. I will try using Firewire from now on. I have to buy a firewire port for my desktop PC, because my laptop that has the built in one isn't working right now and is in for repairs.

Thanks!

[Mtz]

Ok, thank you for the addendum Mtz. they need special proprietary software, as far as I know (please correct me if I'm wrong).
Yes. The software came on CD with the camera. If I remember correctly, the Panasonic cameras with this option for transfer have the USB in description as "High Speed USB 2.0".

enjoy,
Mtz

[bb]

isnt USB2.0 faster then firewire? :o
(sorry, dont mean to get this OT)
USB 2.0 is indeed a little faster than classic Firewire (also known as Firewire 400, IEEE 1394a or i.Link): 480 Mbps vs. 400 Mbps. But there's no difference regarding DV capturing, because DV doesn't use neither connection type to full capacity. Nowadays there's Firewire 800 (IEEE 1394b), too, operating at double speed, thus much faster than USB 2.0.

bb

[FishTank]

@bb.. thank you very much for clearing that up :)

[vixux x]

Ok. Forget about MPEG 2 and dvd, I'll worry about that later.

I just need to figure out how to capture these tapes first. I have 6 tapes, each 1 hour long from my Panasonic PV-GS35. I have Adobe Premiere Pro v2 and am now using the 4 pin Firewire (IEEE 1395 connection). I need to be able to compress it so it isn't taking up rediculous amounts of space on my hard drive, but without too much quality loss.

What should I do? (BTW, I'm not good at command line stuff, I use the GUI mode of all programs).

Thanks!

[Mazer Rackham]

Keep your original DV tapes, play with the copy transferred to PC.

[vixux x]

Keep your original DV tapes, play with the copy transferred to PC.

so I should keep the original tape, transfer the thing as DV thru firewire, and try to reduce the size using different codecs? Is that what you mean?

[Mazer Rackham]

Just my opinion, but yes, I think thats the most comfortable way. Why should you waste hard disk space with uncompressed DV files when you can keep the original tapes.

[PatchWorKs]

isnt USB2.0 faster then firewire? :o

http://www.liviogiordano.it/mmkit/rotfl.gif

[smok3]

so I should keep the original tape, transfer the thing as DV thru firewire, and try to reduce the size using different codecs? Is that what you mean?

raw dv takes about 12 gigs per hour, so your workflow will depend on the amount of disk space you have to offer.