How to Convert 1394 to DVI, VGA or Component at DVinfo.net

Ben Hardy · April 13th, 2005, 06:07 AM

I just received my FX1 and Dell Monitor yesterday. The FX1 will record in HDV, and at the same time, send a SD 3.4 signal through the Y/C connector (allowing me to record on a DV deck that accepts standard size HDCAM cassettes).

Only thing, though, I'm unable to monitor the HDV signal using the component out on the FX1, because it defeats the Y/C output. Apparently these two outputs are combined and you can only use one or the other.

There is a solution, however. When I connect the firewire output of the FX1 to a JVC 3k D-VHS deck and then use the component out of the JVC, I'm able to monitor the HDV signal. It also has no effect on the recordable SD output.

Unfortunately, the D-VHS deck will not record the video from the FX1 without severe pixilation, but does pass through a clean signal for monitoring.

Is there a simpler, inexpensive device available that will convert the firewire signal to component so I can monitor without the D-VHS deck?

Thanks you-all,
Ben

Douglas Spotted Eagle · April 13th, 2005, 07:25 AM

Until you said "Inexpensive..." the Convergent Design HDV Connect is the right answer. It offers DVI out, component out, SDI out....but it's not cheap.
www.convergent-design.com if you're interested in chasing down more information.

Ben Hardy · April 13th, 2005, 07:52 AM

Thank you, Douglas for your response.

Actually, the JVC deck cost me $289. I'm trying to find something smaller, so I won't have to lug it around when I do on-location gigs.
Ben

Barry Green · April 13th, 2005, 12:14 PM

They've made inexpensive standalone devices like that for DV, 1394-to-component... don't know of any for HDV 1394-to-component...

Ben Hardy · April 14th, 2005, 07:18 AM

ADDENDUM TO A PREVIOUS POST:

I've just received a Dell W-1900 Monitor. It has DVI, VGA and Component Inputs. I'm trying to convert the 1394 output of a FX1 to one of these inputs, so I can use the monitor. I'm unable to use the "component out" of the FX1, as I'm recording a SD signal through the Y/C connector.

Is there any converter box under $500 that will do the job?
Thanks,
Ben

Shannon Rawls · April 14th, 2005, 08:18 AM

http://www.videoguys.com/dac.html

why not just split the y/c?

- shannon W. Rawls

Boyd Ostroff · April 14th, 2005, 08:41 AM

Assuming that the firewire output is SD?...

You could use a DVD recorder with firewire input and component output. I do this with a Sony RDR-GX7 and it works very well. DVD recorders are getting a lot cheaper, so I think you can do this for $500 and have the recorder as a bonus.

Ben Hardy · April 14th, 2005, 09:14 AM

Hi Shannon,
Thanks for your reply.

I'm afraid that particular unit would not pass the (1394) HDV signal through from the FX1 to the monitor, without reducing the video to SD NTSC.
I need to monitor the HDV video.

Thanks again for your response,
Ben

Dave Elston · April 14th, 2005, 09:41 AM

Why not use the above solution in reverse...

ie. pass an SD Firewire signal thru the DVD-recorder to convert it to the Y/C and then you're free to use the (HD) component out straight from FX1 to monitor.

I think this should be possible ... anyone confirm this ?

Of course, the DVD-recorder could be substituted with a small mini-DV camcorder set to DV-in - a very portable option - which also allows you to backup your shoot (at SD quality and PCM audio).

Ben Hardy · April 14th, 2005, 09:41 AM

Hi Boyd,
Thanks for your reply.

Actually, the 1394 out from the FX1 is HDV. I can use a JVC D-VHS recorder's 1394 input and take the output from its' component out, to the monitor, and get HDV video.

I'm just trying to avoid lugging around the JVC when I shoot on-location. If I can find something smaller, that would be so much easier.

Thanks again for your response,
Ben

Ben Hardy · April 14th, 2005, 01:09 PM

Hi Dave,
That's an excellent suggestion!

I'll have access tomorrow to and old Sony device that accepts DV 4 pin 1394 IN, and converts to S-VHS OUT. The manual of the FX1 says you can output 1394 in SD. If I can keep the aspect ratio at 4.3, I'll be in business.

Thanks to all you guys for helping me. This Forum's the BEST!
Ben

April 13th, 2005, 06:07 AM	#1
Ben Hardy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 54	Is there a Firewire to Component (Stand Alone) Device Available I just received my FX1 and Dell Monitor yesterday. The FX1 will record in HDV, and at the same time, send a SD 3.4 signal through the Y/C connector (allowing me to record on a DV deck that accepts standard size HDCAM cassettes). Only thing, though, I'm unable to monitor the HDV signal using the component out on the FX1, because it defeats the Y/C output. Apparently these two outputs are combined and you can only use one or the other. There is a solution, however. When I connect the firewire output of the FX1 to a JVC 3k D-VHS deck and then use the component out of the JVC, I'm able to monitor the HDV signal. It also has no effect on the recordable SD output. Unfortunately, the D-VHS deck will not record the video from the FX1 without severe pixilation, but does pass through a clean signal for monitoring. Is there a simpler, inexpensive device available that will convert the firewire signal to component so I can monitor without the D-VHS deck? Thanks you-all, Ben

April 13th, 2005, 07:25 AM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Until you said "Inexpensive..." the Convergent Design HDV Connect is the right answer. It offers DVI out, component out, SDI out....but it's not cheap. www.convergent-design.com if you're interested in chasing down more information. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 14th, 2005, 07:18 AM	#5
Ben Hardy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 54	How to Convert 1394 to DVI, VGA or Component ADDENDUM TO A PREVIOUS POST: I've just received a Dell W-1900 Monitor. It has DVI, VGA and Component Inputs. I'm trying to convert the 1394 output of a FX1 to one of these inputs, so I can use the monitor. I'm unable to use the "component out" of the FX1, as I'm recording a SD signal through the Y/C connector. Is there any converter box under $500 that will do the job? Thanks, Ben

April 14th, 2005, 09:41 AM	#9
Dave Elston Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: UK 50i/25p Land Posts: 103	Why not use the above solution in reverse... ie. pass an SD Firewire signal thru the DVD-recorder to convert it to the Y/C and then you're free to use the (HD) component out straight from FX1 to monitor. I think this should be possible ... anyone confirm this ? Of course, the DVD-recorder could be substituted with a small mini-DV camcorder set to DV-in - a very portable option - which also allows you to backup your shoot (at SD quality and PCM audio). __________________ Play to Learn, Learn to Earn, Earn to Play... Dave - Broader Pictures

April 13th, 2005, 07:52 AM	#3
Ben Hardy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 54	Thank you, Douglas for your response. Actually, the JVC deck cost me $289. I'm trying to find something smaller, so I won't have to lug it around when I do on-location gigs. Ben

April 13th, 2005, 12:14 PM	#4
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	They've made inexpensive standalone devices like that for DV, 1394-to-component... don't know of any for HDV 1394-to-component...

April 14th, 2005, 08:18 AM	#6
Shannon Rawls Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 853	http://www.videoguys.com/dac.html why not just split the y/c? - shannon W. Rawls

April 14th, 2005, 08:41 AM	#7
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Assuming that the firewire output is SD?... You could use a DVD recorder with firewire input and component output. I do this with a Sony RDR-GX7 and it works very well. DVD recorders are getting a lot cheaper, so I think you can do this for $500 and have the recorder as a bonus.

April 14th, 2005, 09:14 AM	#8
Ben Hardy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 54	Hi Shannon, Thanks for your reply. I'm afraid that particular unit would not pass the (1394) HDV signal through from the FX1 to the monitor, without reducing the video to SD NTSC. I need to monitor the HDV video. Thanks again for your response, Ben

April 14th, 2005, 01:09 PM	#11
Ben Hardy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 54	Hi Dave, That's an excellent suggestion! I'll have access tomorrow to and old Sony device that accepts DV 4 pin 1394 IN, and converts to S-VHS OUT. The manual of the FX1 says you can output 1394 in SD. If I can keep the aspect ratio at 4.3, I'll be in business. Thanks to all you guys for helping me. This Forum's the BEST! Ben