will this work?
 

I thought I could hook the outs of my VCR to the Y, R, W connections on my XL2 and then firewire into my Mac to capture from a VCR tape, is this possible, it ain't workin, or I need to turn on a setting or something?

The reason it isn't working is because the composite for the XL2 are outs, not ins (you use them to hook up to an external monitor, for instance)... I'm pretty sure they don't work as both.

You could try playing the VCR on the TV and recording from the XL2 to firewire, but it'd probably work best on a flat panel TV.

There is also a device available that does what you are referring to... I think it's about $130. You plug the out from the VCR into the device and it has firewire out.

I always thought the XL2 supported analogue to digital conversion (my ZR-45 does and it's a lot cheaper). If it does, there is a setting somewhere but if it doesn't (I don't have mine here, so I can't confirm) don't keep trying or you could damage something.

Geoff is correct those are outs not in's. You wont be able to do it that way. sorry

Manual pages 99-100
 

Hook up your VCR analog outputs to the appropriate terminals on the XL-2 (use either the S-video terminal or the composite terminal for video). Turn on the XL-2 to VCR, open the menu and select [VCR SETUP]. Select [AV -> DV], set it [ON] and close the menu. You can also do this with the remote by pressing the AV -> DV button. The XL-2 will now output the source VCR's signals as DV from the firewire (IEEE 1394) port. Remember to make all your connections with the XL-2 OFF.

Chris,

I have never tried to do what you are trying, but make sure the BNC/RCA switch is in the RCA position. See page 88 of your manual, the switch is very small and just on the left of the BNC connection.

Good luck,

Mike

I'm sorry Geoff, that's not correct. At least not in the U.S. As was stated in a later post, you have to go into the menu and turn on AV>DV to make the analog jacks function as inputs. You also have to be in VCR mode.

This functionality was missing on the original XL-1 but was added starting with the XL-1s.

regards,

-gb-

I have used those jacks many times to go in. Just do as stated above.

Mike I followed your instructions and it works, however I am not getting any sound through iMovie when the tape is running?

Chris,

Sorry, but now you are out of my realm. I know nothing about iMovie. Someone will jump in, but what "tape" are you refering to? Have you already done the transfer?

Good Luck,

Mike

I am just playing an old VCR tape and trying to get the footage off it. I am running the VCR through the camera and the video is recording fine, I am just not getting any audio, and I didn't feel like spending $200 on one of those composite capture box's whn I have the XL2 which can do the same thing.

Your audio needs to go into the two bottom jacks...

The reason your sound is not good is probably because you have not turned the audio input selector from Mic to Audio 1. Open the side panel and find the Audio Input Selector for Audio 1 and you'll understand. (Make sure your Red and White cables are plugged into the Audio 1 Ports.)

In the menu you can also select from a number of features under Audio Setup. I just left it on 16 bit audio and recently captured great analog video and sound using the method listed above combined with the one I just outlined.

Good Luck!!