Viewing Camcorder output

[Swifty]

I recently bought a camcorder that records onto an 8cm DVD. Whilst the
DVD is in the camcorder, I can plug the camcorder into my SONY TV via
the cable that came with the camcorder, which terminates in three
"Phono" plugs, Red/White(Audio) and Yellow(Video), then view the disc
contents.

Is there some way I could watch the camcorder on my PC? I've never done
anything like this before, but it seems I'd need some sort of TV
emulation card.

What might make it harder is that my PC has absolutely no spare
connections other than USB, so whatever hardware is suggested would have
to be USB connected. I suspect that the issue of PAL vs NTSC will also
come into the equation; mine is PAL.

 

[Roy Smith]

I recently bought a camcorder that records onto an 8cm DVD. Whilst the
DVD is in the camcorder, I can plug the camcorder into my SONY TV via
the cable that came with the camcorder, which terminates in three
"Phono" plugs, Red/White(Audio) and Yellow(Video), then view the disc
contents.

Is there some way I could watch the camcorder on my PC? I've never done
anything like this before, but it seems I'd need some sort of TV
emulation card.

What might make it harder is that my PC has absolutely no spare
connections other than USB, so whatever hardware is suggested would have
to be USB connected. I suspect that the issue of PAL vs NTSC will also
come into the equation; mine is PAL.

If you have a DVD drive in your PC, just put the disk in and watch it
with Windows Media Player, Realplayer or whatever you like to use to
watch DVDs.

 

[Tim Meddick]

You can buy [quite cheaply] products on the market to edit video output on your PC.

You might try googling once in a while, it does give results - surprisingly!

I found one, while I was just writing this - The EasyCap USB 2.0 Video Adapter -
£10.95 (I live in UK) which comes complete with editing software - but there are
other products.

Simply, I just typed : "VIDEO OUT TO USB" into Google...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Swifty]

You might try googling once in a while, it does give results -
surprisingly!

I found one, while I was just writing this - The EasyCap USB 2.0 Video
Adapter - £10.95 (I live in UK) which comes complete with editing
software - but there are other products.

You might be surprised to find that I did google - extensively - before
posting here.

I found exactly the same "EasyCap" device for £0.99 but it came with
reviews which ranged from ecstatic to rubbish, so which am I to believe?

I came here in the hope of finding people who could recommend devices
which had worked well for them, specifically under Windows XP.

Still, £0.99 is perhaps not too much of a gamble.

 

[Tim Meddick]

I was only attempting to show you the type of device that you would need, in case you
didn't know, and to show you that these devices do exist.

But I think there must be some difference as to what we are talking about;

The device I found was priced at £10.95 (so probably about $15), and comes with video
editing software.

It has three input cables, each terminating with a female "phono" plug (red, white
and yellow).

At the other end of it is a male standard USB plug for your PC. Thusly, you can
connect a variety of devices (camcorders, dvd video players) to your PC.

I cannot think you'd ever be able to get all that for £0.99 !

Check out this link to see if it's the same one....

EasyCAP USB 2.0 Video Audio TV VHS DVD Capture Adapter
http://www.product-reviews.net/2007...ycap-capture-usb-20-video-adapter-with-audio/

(You'll find an extensive review of this product plus comments from users of it)

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Swifty]

I cannot think you'd ever be able to get all that for £0.99 !

You're perfectly right. I got it for £0.85, but it came with an
eye-watering £4.00 postage (probably coming from Hong Kong).

When I went back to the same page (from the actual link in my order) I
find that it is now £4.80 with free postage, so I could have saved £0.05
by waiting!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001BWU8US/ref=ox_ya_os_product

By the way, Roy, I wasn't ignoring you. I don't want to swap the DVD
repeatedly between the camcorder and my PC, just to download a short
video clip, or one of the still photos. I know that if I do that often
enough, I'll end up getting dust or dirt into the camcorder. If this
gadget works as advertised, I can keep the one DVD-RW in the camcorder
forever, and never have to risk opening the hatch. I've already dropped
a couple of those 8cm DVDs - my fingers are just not accustomed to their
diminutive size.

 

[Tim Meddick]

I can't quite believe it, but you're quite right - £0.75 - on Amazon at the time of
writing this.

I can't believe it, because it's on other sites from £10.95 to a blistering £29.95
(reduced from £34.95) at www.purelygadgets.co.uk !!

I wonder what's causing these incredible discrepancies between prices? Could it be
due to the economic depression recession were in at the moment?

Sorry for doubting the validity of the information you gave.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Roy Smith]

You're perfectly right. I got it for £0.85, but it came with an
eye-watering £4.00 postage (probably coming from Hong Kong).

When I went back to the same page (from the actual link in my order) I
find that it is now £4.80 with free postage, so I could have saved £0.05
by waiting!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001BWU8US/ref=ox_ya_os_product

By the way, Roy, I wasn't ignoring you. I don't want to swap the DVD
repeatedly between the camcorder and my PC, just to download a short
video clip, or one of the still photos. I know that if I do that often
enough, I'll end up getting dust or dirt into the camcorder. If this
gadget works as advertised, I can keep the one DVD-RW in the camcorder
forever, and never have to risk opening the hatch. I've already dropped
a couple of those 8cm DVDs - my fingers are just not accustomed to their
diminutive size.

No problem I get ignored enough around the house anyway, so I'm used to
it....

 

[Brickman]

I never had ANY luck transfering video thru an USB cable, either do what Roy
said first: put the dvd in the PC's drive, or get a "firewire" connection.
That is what I use on both my Mini-DV camera and my 8mm Digital video camera.
You might have to install the card in the PC and also buy a cable. Good
luck!