Jacquie
The transfer itself is real time. The conversion process to DVD
compatible format takes much longer.
My software captures the Firewire output as AVI for editing and then
does the final conversion for burning.
The TRV-340 is a digital 8 camera and not considered a Mini DVD. The
minis record on media "other than tape", and I have no experience
with them. My feeling is that a very light and small camcorder woould
be much more liable to shake than the heavier and larger tape models
and would not handle large zooms without the use of a tripod. After
some practice I find that at 25x zoom I sometimes get acceptable
video.
Use a tripod with those large zooms, and a good solid tripod at that.
Greg Kunkel
--- jacquelinebittner <> wrote:
>
> Thank you so much again Greg. Your microphone diagram several
> years
> ago inspired me to try and make my own microphone with moderate
> success. I now use a medium sized funnel for hiking.
>
> How long does it take to transfer video from the camera to the PC
> using the firewire connection. If you have an hour's worth of
> video
> on your MiniDV does it take a full hour to transfer it off onto
> your
> computer?
>
> Jacquie
> --- In Gregory Kunkel
> <> wrote:
> > Jacquie
> > I have been using camcorders to record birds for over four
> years.
> > The first was an analog Sony 8mm.
> >
> > Two years ago I upgraded to a Sony DCR TRV-340.
> > What attracted me to it was its 25x optical zoom which made it
> > unnecessary to use a screw in adapter to increase the focal
> length.
> >
> > Whenever I travel I usually use the Sony camcorder and it does
> > double duty as a camcorder for home video and a recorder for bird
> > video and audio.
> >
> > This model is no longer listed on the Sony web pages, and the
> newer
> > model of 8mm seems to be the TRV-460 which only has a 20x optical
> > zoom.
> >
> > features that I rely on:
> > plays my old anolog 8mm tapes
> > has plug n power for my microphones
> > has firewire connection for capturing video
> > has USB connection to access digital stills and audio
> > can choose between 12 and 16 bit audio
> > (16 bit creates duplicate stereo channels)
> > nightshot to view low light situations
> > digital pass through that lets you use it as a video
> > digitizer for other video sources.
> > Memory Stick to record video stills.
> >
> > 8mm camcorders are not as compact as the newer models but I think
> > mine will fill my requirements for a few more years.
> >
> > Here is an example of a recording taken with the camera and a
> > homemade parabola with Radio a shack stereo lavalier microphone.
> >
> > http://gk.akwebb.net/birds/sparrow/sparrow.html
> >
> > I paid around $550 for it two years ago. I am sure its still
> > available
> > through dealers on the web.
> >
> > Greg Kunkel
> >
> > --- jacquelinebittner <> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > We are planning a family vacation and we also do a lot of
> > > birdwatching. We wanted to buy a new video camera that was
> digital
> > >
> > > off (and analog on to put old videos into new digital format)
> and
> > > would also do nice bird videos with accompanying sounds. Our
> > > budget
> > > is under $1,000. Can anyone tell me how much optical zoom I
> need,
> > > or
> > > any features to watch out for. Also, if anyone has a model
> that
> > > they
> > > have been pleased with, I would most appreciate a
> recommendation.
> > >
> > > Also, has the proposed new Minidisk recorder which is digital
> off
> > > been released yet?
> > >
> > > Thanks again for a terrific e-group.
> > >
> > > Jacquie Bittner
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > > --------------------~-->
> > > Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar.
> > > Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
> > > http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/PMYolB/TM
> > >
> >
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
> > >
> > >
> > > "Microphones are not ears,
> > > Loudspeakers are not birds,
> > > A listening room is not nature."
> > > Klas Strandberg
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers!
> > http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> --------------------~-->
> $9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything.
> http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/PMYolB/TM
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>
>
> "Microphones are not ears,
> Loudspeakers are not birds,
> A listening room is not nature."
> Klas Strandberg
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
|