Su asks for help via an e-mail. Could someone please help her? Thanks.I've borrowed this model camcorder from someone and it's in Japanese. I have translation of the buttons, but no manual to speak of. I'm editing a sequence which I want to lay back to miniDV and don't know if this camera has that capability.

Under the VCR Mode Menu, there are recording setups, which indicate to me that recording while in VCR should work. I'm running firewire from my Mac into the camera directly. It's playing the sequence in the LCD screen on the camera, so I know the signal is there and working. But when I hit the record button, nothing happens. I've even tried the sub recording button (I don't really know what that is) and still nothing happens.

I really have 2 questions and you seem like to guy who would know. First, does it have this capability? Second, if so, how do I get it to work?

I'm not a camera person and I would really appreciate your help on this one.

Thanks so much,
Su L.

Tommy, Allan or Patrica may be the best people to answer this question on the GS100 but on the DV953, you need the IR remote to begin recording in VCR mode.

GS100 works in the same way. When recording from an external source (VHS or TV) through the AV port, Record Button is on the supplied IR Remote, directly on top of the Play button. (while pressing Record button, press Play).

Just make sure the AV port is set at AV In/Out Mode.

Oops I just noticed you're trying to record through firewire. No problem, same Remote Operation but you don't need to bother about AV port setting.

ahhm.. woudn't it work if she has it in VCR mode, and then start the recording with the video editing software? (transfer to tape)

(ie. control the camera with the software, press "record to tape" (from the program you edited the footage) or something similar depending on the software)

"to" or "from" the camcorder, I would do it this way...

If you are using firewire just choose the export to tape setting and make sure you render the video first if need be and you shouldn't have any troubles. good luck

Justin

Ah, yes. I should read more carefully...thanks, guys. Frank, also tell her to make sure she has DV Device/Transport Controls (or whatever Mac calls it) enabled in her editing/capture software. This is what enables the software to control the camcorder over Firewire.

Thanks, people. I'm sure she's been reading these comments.

I've read all the responses and really appreciate everyone's input. I haven't had a chance to test it out until today and I'm sorry to say that I'm still having problems. When in VCR mode, I hit the record/play button on the remote. At least, that's what I think it is since it's not in english. It's the button on the top right corner with a red circle around it. Again, nothing happens. I'm using Final Cut Pro 4 and the Print to Video option if that helps anyone. I can get something to record back if I use the Edit to Tape option in Final Cut, but it records back all jumpy. I'm pretty sure I have my settings right, as I've laid some of this footage back to both a DSR-11 deck and a 1500. The trouble with that, is that I have to go to a different location and if I can get it to work on the camera, I'll be able to do all my work at home.

Please keep responding with all the great advice.

Thanks again,
Suz

Duh! Okay, I just got it. The record button is directly on top of the play button, meaning directly above. Okay, so I can in fact record back to the camera with the Print to Video option. Same problem with the Edit to Tape, tho... it records/plays jumpy. This might not be a camera issue, but if it is, I would still appreciate responses.

Thanks again,
Suz

Suz,
I don't know much about Macs and FCP, but can you not control the camcorder transport from within the software over iLink (Firewire)? I'm wondering why you are having to manually put VCR into record?? If you turn on the cam, put it into VCR and then print to tape from FCP, does it not start the camera in record?

Glad you're finally here, Suz. Feel free to start new threads for new questions/topics.

Guy,

The Edit to Tape feature controls the record function, but the Print to Video feature does not. It pauses and tells you to hit record on the device, then hit ok to continue in the computer. There are 2 ways to go about it, but both are resulting in the same choppy material.

Suz

Suz,
Pardon the question, but are you sure you are using Firewire and not USB?

If Firewire, then I would try to eliminate the camcorder as the problem. If you have some device with S-video out (VCR, DVD player, TV), try to record from it to the camcorder. If the camcorder records ok, then the problem is most likely in the Mac. Again, I'm not a Mac person. Maybe someone else who uses one can help. Also, there is a Mac NLE forum here. The folks there may be able to help you.

I use a Mac PB, but not Final Cut, so this may not help, but assuming you are hooked up via firewire and FC lets you export to tape, the jumpy video output you're getting could be due to, unfortunately, any number of things - and I'm sure I don't know all of them. If your firewire cable itself is okay and your firewire ports are okay (you've used them to import from the gs100?), then try the old tried and true Apple method of shutting down your Mac completely (without the cam connected) and also the gs100k. Restart FC only (no other apps or peripherals running - including speakers) and get your footage on screen. Hook up the gs100k via firewire. Turn it on in playback mode. If FC works remotely like iMovie in this instance, FC should tell you it's connected to a camcorder or something similar, I assume. Try exporting again. If this doesn't work, then go to the next tried and true Apple step of trashing your FC preferences and repairing permissions. Note that I'm assuming most of the fixes need to begin with your Mac and FC. Not that the gs100k couldn't be at fault; darn well could. I've had one or two times when it didn't respond to an export command. But I've always been able to overcome the issue - and it's been by dealing with my software and Mac OS first. I would also say since the Mac and software are the most easily fixed issues (I don't think you can get the gs100k serviced in the US), it's probably most efficient to eliminate those as possible problems first.

Okay, I think I may have stumble upon my issue (and the solution). For future reference, recording back to the camera from Final Cut Pro 4 works fine. What doesn't work fine is doing it on my single processor G4. With all the settings correct, it records back a bit jumpy and pixelated. However, the recording sails beautifully on a dual G5. So I have to go to a different location, but it works.

My first guess at why this might be true is the speed at which DV records at. Does anyone have a better theory? If not, no worries. Just file this bit of trivia away for the future.

Thanks for all the help. I couldn't have done it without everyone's input!

Suz

Suzanne, it still could be your settings in FCP or something about your configuration. I say this because I've had the gs100 since the beginning of July last year and use a G4 powerbook, so I doubt that the G4 has much of anything to do with what you're experiencing. Is your FCP edition different on the G4 than on the G5? I ask because I noticed in the Apple forums that people were claiming the FCP HD update had affected their ability to export to tape from iMovie. Here's a thought if all you want is to select clips, print to tape and have them for use later: make your clip selection and print back to tape from iiMovie. My understanding is dv is dv. You can download your tape later to FCP for further editing or import into FCP from iMovie - just don't do any real editing in iMovie, because FCP won't import any edits from iMovie (and remember that unlike FCP, iMovie is a desttuctive NLE).

Patricia,

Please expand on what your settings are with FCP. I'm using version 4.1.1, I'll have to double check what the version is at school.

Thanks,
Suz

Suzanne, sorry, but I don't use FCP. I'm strictly an iMovie type, since all i have is a 60Gb Powerbook and only do home movies. Nonetheless, hanging around various fora, one picks up odd bits of info. If you haven't tried the Apple/support/discussions forum for FCP yet, that's a place that might help. You can do a search for your issue, to see what others have had to say, as well as pose your own question. It really helps if you say up front what hardware and software version you're using, how much RAM and how much free hard disk space you have available and whether you've already tried the traditional Apple remedies I mentioned earlier. Also which version of QT you are using, as I think one suggestion might be to export first to QT and then to dv - which may work, but probably shouldn't have to be a choice if all is working well with your system.

Patricia,

All of those things could be possibilities. I've posted on various Final Cut forums, which is where I usually hang out. I started posting here, since it started as a "how to use this camera" issue. In any case, I have a very taxed system at home. I'm full on my hard drive and only have 512mb RAM. The system at school has space available and over 1gig of RAM. Certainly, that could be the cause of my problems. When the real money starts rolling in, a new system is on the top of my list!

Thanks again,
Suz

Get a firewire drive. They're cheaper than a new system for the interim. Working with my tiny hard drive, I routinely move things like my iTunes library to storage before starting on a project. And I store dv projects on firewire. Even in iMovie, with a big enough project, the software starts acting up. The other possibility (which I'm sure you know) is to get a large enough firewire drive to run your projects on. Anyway, I'm glad it's not the camcorder.

Patrica,

Thanks for the advice. I always store my projects on firewire since I move from place to place. It never occured to me to install FCP on the drive if the space allows. I could try that and then I wouldn't have to worry about checking settings all the time.

Since my job is a freelance editor, a new system is pretty much a priority. I bought this little iMac when I was in school and starving. Now I'm building up a nice clientele and the new system would be a great little tax write-off. Not to mention, I wouldn't have to do as much traveling around.

Thanks again for all your help. I'm definately keeping this site bookmarked. It's the best resource for DV questions that I've found.