How to capture from BetaCam Player?

[Nawaf Alali]

hi,
I've been using Premiere Pro + Matrox RTX100 for a while now, and have worked exclusively with DV format. But now I've been getting into Beta format, so I'm investing in a BetaCam Player (instead of going to a Dubbing place everytime). Assuming I get the:

Sony J-30 Compact Betacam Series Player

my questions are:

1) It has a Firewire output, so I can capture it easily. After editing, how can transfer it back to the BetaCam player? it doesn't specify FireWire input (I thought Firewaire was in/out!).

2) If I had to deal with Component in/out (which Matrox RTX100 doesnt support), what is a good capturing device for that?

I appreciate your answers.

[Ed Smith]

Hi Nawaf,

If it only specifies firewire output then it will only do firewire output. There were various widgets that enabled the input, but these were mainly for camcorder use, and in most cases would invalidate the manufacturers warranty.

In order to get the footage out you would need to use the component in.

You can buy a DV to component 'black box' that will convert the signal both ways. I think Data Video produce a few and so do Canopus. This then means that you can use your firewire port on your RTX 100 card as you normally would. Also bare in mind that you will not be able to control the Digi VTR this way.

If it has an RS-422/232 control port (which I expect it has) then you would need to buy the correct cable. These are normally quite expensive for what they are. They are made by companies such as Rosetta Stone or Pipe Line. Make sure though that the one you buy is compatible with both Matrox and Premiere. They connect to 1 of your standard RS-232 com-port (serial) on your motherboard.

Hope this helps,