I use a digital8 camcorder, and have successfully captured using StudioDV, Studio7, and, finally, with the release of Vidcap30, Vegas Video. Prior to the release of Vidcap30, I could not rely upon Vegas as a capture or print to tape device. Contrary to your experience, I always found Pinnacle products to be rock solid in the areas of capture/print. . . not so solid in others. My main annoyance concerning Pinnacle software was that, on my system, their codecs were very pervasive, so that, once Pinnacle software was on my system, their codecs took precedence over any others installed . . . and VV did not care for Pinnacle Codecs.

At any rate, I now use only VV . . . Pinnacle is removed from my system entirely. The problem you experienced at scene changes is not one I have using VV's Vidcap30 (albeit, I didn't experience that problem with the Studio products, either).

Of course, most timecode capture software with which I am familiar will choke on sessions where the timecode is discontinuous. Pinnacle did. VV does. On the other hand, I am unaware of any flaw in the Sony Digi8 camcorder setup that should cause a problem simply because you started/stopped the record process using a "non-pre-striped" tape. If you watch the counter on one of these cams, you will see that it actually compensates when you start/stop it to position the tape so that gaps in the timecode do not occur.

Personally, (and this is only a guess), I think there is (was) something else going on that caused your capture problems, and would not be so quick to blame the start/stop flying erase setup on the typical Sony Digi8 camcorder. Further, the suggestion you describe to manualy attempt to overlap start/stop points in the field as you record your scenes sounds ridiculous. Additionally, IMO, pre-striping a tape, while it won't hurt anything, should really no longer be necessary unless some feature of your shooting habits tends to create blank spots on the raw 8mm cassette.

I have a soft spot in my ticker for Pinnacle products, as I started tinkering in this video 'mess' as a result of having purchased their Studio 200 product. I was a devoted user of their products, migrating from S200 to S400, SDV, and, finally S7.

Each upgrade was followed by a year or so of troubleshooting (they have a pretty good forum on their website), and imperfections inherent in work I produced using their software always left my best efforts at a level below my expectations (I would say that my unmet expectations were the result of less than perfect software run on a less than optimum system . . . so I can't blame Pinnacle entirely).

My VV experience hasn't been totally trouble-free, but, I do get work done, and, usually, what's on the tape is a reflection of my best effort. I can't ask for more than that. Further, VV runs fine on my "meager" 900 mhz system. The VV forum is most helpful . . . most reasonable problems get solved as a result of input from other users or from SF staff who participate in the forums.

If I were you, I'd go with VV30 and a Digi8 camcorder that fits your budget.

Hope this message is useful to you. Good luck.

Caruso

Thanks so much to deef and Caruso!!!! I really appreciate you responding to my post so quickly. I agree with you, Caruso, on Pinnacle's products, I have played with Studio 7 with still pix and some analog captured material, and it is very efficient with pretty good results. I have been eye balling a digital 8 for sometime now, but hesitated because of that one experience I had with my friends camcorder. I like the fact that you can still use your 8mm cassettes with it, as I have a great deal of footage of my 1 year old son on 8mm!!! Thanks again for you input. I'm gonna go look at some Dig8 Camcorders!!!!!

VidJockey

Howdy,

I've been using a Sony D8 TRV-120 with no problems using VV3. I get a dropped frame once in a while,every 2 minutes or so - no big deal, that's about it.

Highly recommend the D8 format. I'm using the system now to convert all my Hi-8 vacation footage from the past 10 years to DVD-R. A big project for sure, but keeps me out of trouble.

Remenber, the entry level TR -130, unlike its predecessor the TRV-120, will not output 8mm or hi-8 tapes as DV, and does not have the Analog/Digital conversion feature that all higher numbered models have. Sony cut features in their current second generation D8 camcorders, reducing LCD screen size fron previous corresponding models, and in the model 130,-reducing functionality. You may still be able to find the earlier model, (120, 320, 520, 720, 820), around. They're a great buy ,if you can still find them. I love my TRV720, w/4 inch lCD screen..

Are you sure about that? I've got the TRV-120, a friend of mine purchased the next years model line (either the 530 or 730) and he uses all of these features quite often.

The only annoying thing about that model of camera is that to shrink it, they put the tape loader underneath, so you can't leave it on a tripod and swap tapes.

Vidjockey,

Regarding your friends problem with the program crashing during capture this could be because your friend was capturing in what Pinnacle calls "preview" mode. Basically capturing an entire 1 hour DV tape to about 300mb. As I recall the manual suggests no timecode breaks at all when using this capture method.

I have both a Digital 8 and MiniDV camcorder and have used both Studio 7 and currently Vegas Video 3.0 without problems.

Thanks to everyone for your help! I am really getting sold on the Digital 8 camera now. You can't really listen to what the manufacturer states about their products, or reviews in magazines for that matter. It's forums like this that really helps you get down to the nitty gritty of what the product will do and will not do. I'll take users opinions any day over PC World or Joe Blow Video Expert. Thanks Again!!

VidJockey

That's really cool... That's pretty much what I want to be able to do. I have so much video of my son. I want the digital format, but just can't bear the thought of shelving all those wonderful moments!! DVD-R is really the next step in video... I mean, yeah 8mm and Hi8 along with MiniDV made the camcorders smaller, but heck, it's still a pain in the rear to hook up that darn camera to the TV everytime you want to watch something! Just pop in a DVD and have menu selection, clear video, slideshows of still pictures, all in one little disc.

Off the subject: I made a still slideshow of some digital camera JPEGS with stock crossfades and background music with Vegas. I put the disc in the player, and when my wife walked in the room she first thought I was watching a TV show, until she started recognizing the pictures!! Man, I love Vegas. Now on to Video!!!!

VidJockey

I made the decision to get D8 last year mostly because I wanted the bigger camera (easier to hold) and I wanted to be able to transfer some of my old tapes. Everyone said that the DV format was exactly the same. I have a TRV-730 and I really love it.

I never get any dropped frames transfering either direction and the camera takes excellent video. It's not as good as a 3CCD camera, but I expected that. The tapes are around $9 (it pays to use good tape) compared to around 50% more for the mini DV's and you can find them anywhere in a pinch although I usually order the good Sony Pro tapes from www.tapetruck.com. My only complaint is that I can't get the really high definition stock footage because it usually only comes on mini DV or SVHS. The mini DV is slightly better than the SVHS (no so bad though).

Tom