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Amiga Arts Forum · Videophile

CamCorder for Amiga…

15 messages in this thread

#25048From: Steven WaltersDec 29, 1992 6:25 AM

Hi ALL, I would like to get a CamCorder for use with my new Amiga System (when I get one) I would like to know if there is a camcorder that is great for recording from and inputing to the Amiga??? I was told the Sony FX-710 is a good unit. Any help would be more than welcome! Thank you! –Steven Walters 70524,634

#25095From: Peter GreciDec 30, 1992 6:35 PM

Why use a Camcorder for recording your Amiga Grafix?As to Camcorders I "SUGGEST" you go for a S-Video Camera in either S-VHS format or Hi8mm format.

#25110From: Steven WaltersDec 31, 1992 2:59 AM

What would you "SUGGEST" I record my Amiga Graphics to?

#25122From: Art SteinmetzDec 31, 1992 3:51 PM

He means a VCR is more appropriate for directly hooking up to the Amiga.

#25127From: Steven WaltersDec 31, 1992 5:46 PM

a normal VCR or a $5,000 one? :>

#25332From: Art SteinmetzJan 8, 1993 12:38 PM

Any old VCR will record Amiga video just fine. All Amiga's have a "composite" video-out jack. Just hook it up to the video-in jack on your VCR and you're set to go. Some Amigas like the 2000 output black&white composite video only so you need something called an "RGB to composite adaptor" to get color. Cost is $50 or less. Fancier doo-dads called "genlocks" let you lay Amiga video on top of another video signal (i.e. a camera) and squirt both out to any VCR or monitor. They cost $200 and up. — Art

#25345From: Peter GreciJan 8, 1993 4:23 PM

Art,Not all Amiga's have Composite out.My 3000 has it DUE to my purchase of a VIP Encoder.

#25344From: Peter GreciJan 8, 1993 4:23 PM

Depends on if you are using 24 bit graphics or not.If you are able to "PLAY" your animations on your Amiga then ANY VCR will work.You simply need an Encoder or Genlock to send out a signal the VCR can record. I use DCTV to record my Psuedo 24 bit animation Playback off my Amiga 3000.The $5000 VCR and Single Frame Controller is Neccessary to record True 24 bit animation a Frame at a time.DMI's new Editmaster "MAY" make this unneccassary tho.

#25658From: Jorge EscobarJan 15, 1993 7:29 PM

I really don't know who started the question but beware!!!! SOME CAMCORDERS DO NOT REGISTER GRAPHICS FROM THE AMIGA! I have both an A-501 Encoder and a PP's MiniGen (which work perfectly) and had an anim to record. I usually record in a 3/4" Sony but didn't have it at the time, so I grabbed my Sony V-801 Hi8 camcorder and tried to record the anim on it… Well I just saw a garbled noise in the viewfinder. Of course this is a syncing problem and happens usually when your animation is in a 640 pixels (Hi-Res) or without interlace. ALWAYS use interlace when recording graphics to Video! Also DCTV graphics and ANIMS don't work with my camcorder. If you have a TBC… no problema! Put the Amiga video thru it and then on the camcorder or VCR (that's the way I fixed the problem actually). Hope this helps… Jorge Escobar/MEGABYTE PRODUCTIONS (..and AutoPilot, of course!)

#25807From: Peter GreciJan 20, 1993 4:39 PM

Jorge—>>> That is TRULY bizarre.I never heard of this happening before.

#25940From: Jorge EscobarJan 23, 1993 7:28 PM

Peter, I know it sounds bizarre, but I tried everything I could. Connect the 520… nothing. Connect the MiniGen with a video reference… nothing. When I connected the computer to the Umatic machine it got reference. I have two V801's camcorders and both had the same problem. Now it looked like a sync problem to me (the signal was to distorted for the camcorder to read)… What do you think, Peter? Jorge Escobar/MEGABYTE PRODUCTIONS (..and AutoPilot, of course!)

#25966From: Peter GreciJan 24, 1993 1:18 PM

Jorge—>>> I haven't a CLUE as to why your 801's are not recording a signal from the A520………Are you perhaps running the Amiga in PAL mode?

#25973From: Jorge EscobarJan 24, 1993 5:44 PM

Peter, Absolutely no… I am not recording the Amiga in PAL mode. The problem arises when I have Hi-res (i.e. more than 640 pixels). Jorge Escobar/MEGABYTE PRODUCTIONS (..and AutoPilot, of course!)

#25343From: Peter GreciJan 8, 1993 4:23 PM

Yup thats what I meant,Why wear out yer Camcorder.Use a VCR for recording.

#25342From: Peter GreciJan 8, 1993 4:23 PM

I don't suggest using a Camcorder to Record yer animations.If $$$ is Tight and you are playing your animations in REALTIME instead of Single Framing you can get away with a S-VHS like the JVC HR4700U which is avail for approx $450….if You need to do Single Framing then you're looking at a figure approx 10 times higher than the JVC mentioned above You might also look around for a Used 16mm Film Camera and decent Tripod and shoot off yer monitor in Total Darkness.This will alow you to single Frame,their was a Arexx Script on automating this process last year in AVid.You would still need to Xfer this to Video tho.