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Yes, but it is very low quality

@murasamest1845 Hi! I’ve received that question quite often, so I’ll try to explain it a bit better :) The process really depends on the model. So far, I’ve managed to do it with six different cameras, but here’s how I approach it, just keep in mind, I’m not an expert, just an electronics hobbyist, so there’s probably a better way out there that I’m not aware of, haha. You will need 4 cables: a) Power (usually 12V), b) Ground, c) Video signal, and d) Audio signal (usually mono). First, and most simply, I look for the ground wire. I place one end of the multimeter on the connector pin I want to test and the other end on any solder point inside the motherboard that has a metal plate or screw (which usually leads to ground). When there’s continuity, the multimeter beeps-there you have your ground. For power, these cameras almost always have a fuse, so I place one end of the multimeter on one of the solder points of the fuse and continue testing the connector wires until I find continuity-now you’ve got power and ground sorted. For finding the audio and video signals, to be honest, it’s trial and error for me. Once I can power the camera using a battery or appropriate power supply (after finding the ground and power points), I turn on the camera and start testing the remaining connector wires using a video capture device connected to my PC. I test each wire with an RCA cable (composite video or pin jack) without soldering-just temporarily connecting them. These RCA connectors have two wires: one goes to ground (the same point we found earlier), and the other is used to test the remaining connector wires until I get a video signal on the PC. I do the same for audio. This is the best-case scenario when the camera is actually functioning, but there have been several times when the camera was simply broken. We have to remember these cameras are around 40 years old, so sometimes they just don’t work. Recently, I managed to revive one when I noticed that two capacitors were desoldered and swollen. Luckily, I had capacitors of the same value, so I tried replacing them, and it worked! On another occasion, the fuse was blown, and I replaced it. These are simple repairs, but sometimes the issues can be much more complicated, and with my limited knowledge, it would be impossible for me to fix them. I love electronics so much that I’ll be starting formal studies in February next year, so I’m hoping to take on more complex projects and be able to help out better in the future! 😊 That’s my simple trial-and-error method. As I mentioned, I’m not a professional, so there’s likely a better way to do it, but at least this has worked for me! I hope this doesn’t confuse you more and that it helps!

@@MaxVegaKun This helps a lot, thank you! To clarify, when finding ground would any metal screw or solder point have continuity to the ground pin?

@murasamest1845 Yes! Most of the time all metal plates or screws lead to ground :)

@@MaxVegaKun last question: I cant easily access the fuse, but theres a capacitor which has continuity on a pin i didnt find anywhere else, you think thats the power pin?

@@StephenMcLeod Thank you!!

I'm glad you found the content helpful! Here's a link where I explain the cable in detail :) I hope it’s useful for you! ruclips.net/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/видео.html

@bhryian Hi! If your camera is MiniDV, capturing through the FireWire port will always provide the best quality. Since it's digital, there's no loss in quality, unlike with the S-Video port, which is analog and needs to be converted to digital. The quality also heavily depends on the capture card you're using to transfer video from the S-Video port. You'll need an analog-to-digital converter-any capture card with an S-Video input can do the job, but the quality can vary quite a bit. Additionally, the S-Video port only captures video, so for audio (especially if you're planning to stream and need both video and audio), you'll need to connect a separate cable from your camera's AV port. From my personal experience, and in general terms, the difference isn’t always that significant-though I know some people might disagree with me on this. There are times when I actually prefer the "look" of the AV or S-Video output over FireWire. That said, when it comes to quality, FireWire is undeniably superior. But it really depends on what you’re aiming for. In my quick tests, I couldn't get video through the FireWire card in OBS. To be fair, I didn't spend more than five minutes trying since my main goal was just to capture the video. I managed to do that quickly with another program, so I abandoned OBS. Also, I’m not sure if the FireWire port supports live streaming, as I’ve only used it to capture pre-recorded footage. It might just be a matter of configuring it correctly. I hope this helps!

@MaxVegaKun thank you so much!

@@jon5957 yep, that's what I said in the video :)

Great question! 😊 You’ll need to connect the Mini DVR to an external monitor via its analog video output to configure it. In the video, I connected it to a capture card on my PC to access the settings, but that’s not necessary. Since the Mini DVR is external and independent of the camera, its menu cannot be displayed on the camera’s monitor or viewfinder. All you need is an external monitor to adjust the settings. Let me know if you have more questions or need help setting it up! :)

happy to help my friend! 😊If you ever need anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks for the kind words! 🙌

Thank you so much! 😊 I’m glad you found the info useful, If you ever decide to dive into the world of retro video, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help! :)

Thank you so much! 😊 It means a lot to hear that you’ve enjoyed watching this project. It’s been an amazing journey!

Great question! 😊 Yes, you can record while simultaneously using the video output to display the image on a monitor. The Mini DVR’s analog output allows you to send the video signal to an external monitor while recording. This is especially useful if you want to monitor what you’re capturing in real-time. Let me know if you have more questions or need help setting it up! :)

Thank you so much for sharing this insight! 😊 You’re absolutely right!

I know, right?, It would be so convenient to have a cheap solution specifically for laptops! (I mean there are the adapters that I mentioned in the video but they are very expensive). While most modern laptops don’t have the necessary ports, there are some portable MiniDV recorders that work via FireWire, like the Sony HVR-MRC1, Datavideo DN-60, or Focus Enhancements FireStore FS-4. The downside is that these devices are discontinued, so you can’t buy them new, and second-hand options can be unreliable due to their age. On top of that, they’re not cheap, prices usually range between $200 and $400. If you’re interested, I can share more about them, but it’s definitely something to consider carefully. Let me know! 😊

Hi! 😊 There are some tapeless options, but they’re mostly discontinued and can be expensive. Devices like the Sony HVR-MRC1, Datavideo DN-60, or Focus Enhancements FireStore FS-4 work via FireWire and provide good quality. However, since they’re no longer made, finding them in good condition can be tricky, and second-hand units can cost anywhere from $200 to $400. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, these could be great options, but keep in mind their age and potential reliability issues. Let me know if you’d like more details! :)

ขอบคุณมากครับ! 😊 ดีใจมากที่วิดีโอนี้ช่วยได้ และขอบคุณที่ติดตามนะครับ! ถ้ามีคำถามเพิ่มเติมหรืออยากพูดคุยอะไรก็ส่งมาได้เลยนะครับ ยินดีช่วยเสมอ! 🙌

That’s awesome! The Canon XM2 is such a great choice for that, it’s so versatile! Having analog composite and audio inputs alongside the DV output really makes it a fantastic tool for digitizing VHS and 8mm recordings. It’s like having a built-in video converter! It’s always nice to see others using these reliable setups for preserving old footage. Thanks for sharing your method, it’s inspiring for anyone looking to do the same! 🙌

True :(

That’s fantastic to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s super helpful for anyone considering a similar workflow. It’s always nice to see older tech still being put to good use! 🙌

That sounds so frustrating, I’m sorry you had to deal with that! 😕 It might really be luck of the draw with these cards since the quality and consistency can vary a lot. If you decide to try another PCI card, it’s definitely worth checking reviews to see if others had similar issues. As for the long boot time after installing the card, I’ve heard of that happening occasionally too! It’s likely some kind of conflict with the motherboard or drivers during startup. It’s strange, but it doesn’t seem to cause lasting problems. If you’re up for it, maybe give another card a shot. Sometimes persistence pays off! Good luck! 🙌

@@MaxVegaKun There seems to be a Texas Instruments one on the same exact amazon page, the one without the molex connector, that works better. For a 20 dollar card I kinda expect it, seems others have issues as well but it is what it is. Amazon accepted the return as soon as I put it in so I don't really care haha. Could be anything, maybe even the pcie slot I used just didnt like it. Im gonna keep trying though.

@@DigitalInfinity Oh, yes, I did see the Texas Instruments option too! I decided against it mainly because it doesn’t have external power, and while cameras don’t necessarily need it, devices like hard drives often do. Plus, most of the negative reviews mentioned issues with the lack of power, so I went with the other option instead. It’s good to hear that one worked better for you, though, thanks for sharing that insight! Best of luck with your setup, and let me know how it goes! 🙌

Great question! 😊 No, I didn’t de-interlace the footage because I wanted to show the raw quality exactly as it comes out, without any modifications. As for upscaling, yes, I did upscale the footage so it would fill the screen, but that’s handled automatically by the editing software I use. It keeps the process simple while still making the video look great for modern displays. Let me know if you have any other questions! :)

That’s awesome to hear! 😊 I’m so glad it worked well for you. As I mentioned in the video, it seems like the quality of these cards can be inconsistent, some people have no issues at all, while others run into problems. That’s why I recommend buying it through Amazon; if anything goes wrong, at least you have the option to return it. Thanks for sharing your experience, happy capturing! 🙌

Yes, absolutely! 😊 I was actually thinking about making some short videos on different adapters, and I think I’ll start with the Panasonic connector. Stay tuned, it’s coming soon! :)

we should really start like a community where we would share tips, ur channel is super helpful

That’s amazing! Vintage Macs are such a great choice for capturing video, and Final Cut really shines with all the import options it offers. Being able to control the camera directly through the software is such a huge convenience, especially for older models. It’s awesome to hear how well it’s working for you, sounds like you’ve got a solid setup! 🙌 Thanks for sharing your experience!

Thank you so much! 😊 Starting a community to share tips and help each other out sounds like an amazing idea. I’d love to be part of something like that and keep the creativity flowing. Thanks again for the suggestion and for your support! 🙌

Thank you so much! 😊 I’m really glad to hear you’re enjoying the channel and finding it helpful. It’s awesome to have viewers like you! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see or learn about. Thanks for the support! :)

Hi there! 😊 Are you referring to the cable with a 3.5mm jack on one end and a yellow RCA connector for video on the other, like the ones included with some versions of the Mini DVR? If so, don’t worry, it uses the same pinout. You can check out this video where I explain it in more detail. I hope it helps! Let me know if you have any other questions :) ruclips.net/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/видео.html

@ the problem is where do connect the ground cable on the mini cable?

This is amazing-thank you for sharing your experience! 😊 You’re absolutely right, using an HDMI converter can be frustrating. Your setup with a Windows XP machine, FireWire ports, and Movie Maker It’s such a great way to get clean video and have full camera control, as you said especially for cameras with broken buttons. For Panasonic’s later MiniDV cameras with USB output, I haven’t come across any of those yet, but I really appreciate the tip! I’ll definitely look into it, sounds really interesting!. Thanks again for sharing! 🙌

Absolutely! 😊 Using a Digital8 DV camcorder with FireWire was such a solid alternative for digitizing Hi8 video back in the day. It bypassed a lot of the hassle that came with TV capture cards and delivered great results. Honestly, it’s still a fantastic option if you’ve got the right setup! Thanks for sharing your insight, it’s always great to hear from others who know the tricks of the trade! 🙌

Wow, thank you so much! 😊 That’s such a huge compliment, I never thought I’d be compared to Bob Ross and I'm a big fan! Honestly, narrating bedtime stories sounds like a really fun idea. Maybe I should give it a try! :)

@@MaxVegaKun plz do. My future children will count on you to help them sleep.

Thank you so much! 😊 If it’s the cable I think you’re referring to (the one with USB on one end and FireWire on the other) unfortunately, it doesn’t work with MiniDV cameras. FireWire and USB use completely different protocols, so they’re not compatible. Honestly, I’m not sure what type of devices that cable is meant for, but I can confidently say it won’t work with these cameras. I hope this clears up any confusion! Feel free to ask if you have more questions. :)

@MaxVegaKun you are right I found it curious that this cable existed. I have a Pinacle capture card (old) ! I sold my old PC, but I kept the card. I'm going to try to set up a new computer for use it !! Thanks for vídeos!! I love all your content.

Yeah, I have always thought that cable was a ploy to sell junk that doesn't work. Pro tip for extra points the latest miniDV cameras that Panasonic made didn't need firewire connections and output right through the USB-A to USB port on the computer. NO firewire equipment needed.

I’m so sorry to hear that! 😔 I’ve managed to digitize five tapes so far without any issues, but as I mentioned in the video, I did notice a lot of mixed reviews for this product. It seems the quality isn’t very consistent. I’ve seen it listed for cheaper on sites like AliExpress, but that’s one reason I recommend buying it through Amazon, if it stops working, at least you have the option to return it. I hope you’re able to find a reliable solution! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. :)

@@MaxVegaKun not a big deal. I didn't expect it to be great. Another weird thing is that it would only work in one of the PCIE slots. I just bought a nicer card that has a TI chipset and it's been totally fine.

Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your story! 😊 It’s amazing that you have over 100 MiniDV tapes with precious memories, what a treasure trove of moments to preserve! I completely understand the challenge of capturing analog video with the same quality as digital. Using a FireWire card is definitely the best way to transfer those recordings while maintaining the original quality. Here’s the link to the card: www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q2G79QG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 I hope this helps you with your project! If you have any other questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out. Sending warm regards to Barcelona! 😊

@MaxVegaKun thankyou

Yes! will do it! :)