Hey! Just wanted to clarify that I’m not getting paid to promote this devise; I just think it’s a great option. I also know it might not be perfect for every use, but I’m sharing my experience because it’s worked really well for what I need. Hope the video helps! I probably forgot to mention some details, so feel free to ask any questions!
Do you get any screen tearing? I get screen tearing with my capture device, and when i fullscreened your video I had tearing, when I exited full screen the problem was gone. But I think the mini dvr is not properly deinterlacing and converting the frame rate
@@heavymetalnewsdeskHi! Honestly, I haven’t noticed any major issues with it. However, I think it really depends on what you plan to use it for. I hope it works well for your needs :)
@@ChrisSmartFilmsSorry to hear that :( Honestly, I’m not sure what the issue could be. I’ve bought several and never had that problem. I’d recommend opening the casing (you only need to remove 4 small screws) to check if the micro SD card slot is damaged. I hope this helps!
Recording of the RCA ports, and bypassing the tape, yields fantastic results. The cameras have to leave out a LOT of color and luma fidelity to fit its signal onto tiny 8mm and vhs-c tape. So going straight from the ports means you’re gonna have a great time!
You're absolutely right! Bypassing the tape and capturing directly from the RCA ports makes a world of difference. The cameras had to compromise on color and luma fidelity to fit the signal onto those smaller 8mm and VHS-C tapes, so when you capture straight from the ports, you really get to see the full potential of these vintage cameras. It’s a great way to preserve that extra detail and quality. Thanks for your input!
I actually did this as an experiment on my old Windows 98 desk top PC in the early 2000's. I had a TV card installed and it also had RCA inputs if you wanted to plug in a camcorder to record off tapes. One day I ditched the tape and turned on the camcorder. Only had about 4 feet if cable. So I could only film my living room and out the window. But the quality was amazing compared to the tape
but that means it does not look like vhs, which is the point of using a terrible old camera. i know taht you will say to add a vhs effect in editing, but what is the point of the old camera then?
@4jp It still looks like VHS. But it looks like the nicer high end players and video cameras that richer people could buy compared to us people who could afford K-Mart or Hills quality. Lol
@4jp It still looks much better than using a filter in post-production. I think if we weigh it, using an original retro camera with these new approaches is worth it. It might not be 100% faithful to using a tape, but it’s close enough to make it worthwhile
Hello, could you tell me how you created the yellow-white cable that comes out at 2:30? What is that black adapter on that cable that looks like a female jack? thank you
Well, I have managed to build the cable but the mini DVR only records the audio at 8000 Hz and it is a very good image quality but horrible audio quality. Do you know any solution to this? Audio recording is done at 128 kbps and 8000 Hz and the minimum should be 44100 Hz for decent listening.
Well, this has convinced me into buying a second hand VHS camera, I just love the overall aesthetics of the old analogue video recorders but I was hesitant because of the lacking of actual tapes to record, this solves that problem
Bro, you have a Bob Ross level soothing quality to your voice. That is a gem! You should consider doing bed time stories as a narrator. You will make bank
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! :)
For miniDV, it is much better to use a firewire cable and make an exact digital copy, instead of converting to analog and then converting again to digital.
@@EvraEn1EvraEn1 Sure, I use a Panasonic PV-GS29 I purchased off eBay, I bought that one because it was at a good price and replacement aftermarket batteries are available. A 4-Ports 1394A PCIE FireWire 400 Expansion Card (Came with the FireWire Cable) from amazon, I had to make sure my PC had an available slot, luckily it did. I use premiere pro to capture the footage. With that, the newest 2024 release of Premiere Pro has removed that feature. So if you have a 2023 version or older, don't delete it. I'm sure there are other programs available but it's a program that I use regularly. Hope that helps. And if that's not what you were asking, sorry about that. I've only been converting my old Mini DV's that I use to record back 15 years and future back. I do have new tapes that I"m thinking about using but the capture device in Max Vega's video so that I can give that a go.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you loved it. I don’t consider myself a technician yet, haha, just a hobbyist. But if all goes well and I can arrange my work schedule, I’ll start studying electronics in February next year. I’m excited to keep working with these lovely cameras and beautiful devices from the past!
Sometimes I use new tech to save my old tech, sometimes I use old tech to get around the BS of new tech. Sometimes sometimes, I force them to work together. Life is crazy.
Thank you so much! I’m glad the algorithm brought you here, and even more so that you enjoyed the video! Your support means a lot to me, and I’ll definitely keep the content coming :)
Brilliant video. Found your channel while searching for a way of recording to SD card directly from my old Sony TRV240E Digicam and thanks to this video, I reckon it can be done.
it's amazing to know people like you exist! I have a Sony Handycam that records on mini DVDs, and I've been looking into a way to bypass the DVDs cause they are hard to find, expensive, etc, and the camera has nightshot mode! modern phones don't have nightshot mode! I'll defnetly loo into this device, hope there is a way to improve sound quality
Thank goodness a device that actually works with little effort, I bought a capture card few months ago and it’s terrible because it wouldn’t work on a MacBook but had no problems with pc laptop
It’s definitely frustrating when something doesn’t work as expected, especially after spending money on it. I’m glad this device seems to be a good fit for you! Thanks for the comment I appreciate it!
Thank you very much for this video! This device is so compact and simple, but it performs such a useful function! It costs less than everything I used to buy to digitize videos from old cassettes: a video capture card for a computer, a vhs tape recorder, an easy-cap, and everything is so simple and convenient here. I am very glad that I came across your video, thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 I’m really glad you found the video helpful and that this device has made things simpler for you. It’s amazing how such a compact tool can replace all those other components and still do a great job! Hearing that it’s been useful for you makes creating these videos so rewarding. If you ever have any questions or need help with your setup, feel free to reach out. Thanks again for watching and sharing your experience! :)
This is very helpful. I’m going to be starting a music video soon which needs to have an authentic old camcorder look, and I think this will work very well for my needs.
That sounds like an exciting project! I’m glad you found this helpful, and I’m sure using an old camcorder will give your music video that authentic look you’re aiming for. Best of luck with the shoot, I’d love to see how it turns out!
@@MaxVegaKunThanks! Yeah, I had planned to film it with a modern camera and bounce the finished edit to VHS tape for a vintage look, but it’s much better to start with a period-accurate camera. Hopefully I still have a working one around here somewhere…
That sounds like an awesome plan. There’s something about the original equipment that really captures the essence of that era. Hopefully, you’ve got a working one around!
Fantastic idea! I've played around with old camcorders, but didn't use them for anything, as the tapes are so inconvenient. But this device makes it so much easier! Thanks for the share 👍
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! Old camcorders have so much potential, but I agree, dealing with tapes can be a hassle. This device really does make it easier to bring them back to life. Thanks for your support!
Generally these camcorders would usually have an av output for connecting to a tv, thats doing most of the hardwork, you can usually connect these to your pc easily enough but then this device is so cheap anyway and would still allow you to go portable albeit with perhaps a bit of tape sticking it to the side of the cam.
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! ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
Brilliant. Thanks for this it will bring new life to my old cameras. Looking forward to your explanation of how to make cables. Also would love to see your camera collection and reviews. Keep it up.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad this will help breathe new life into your old cameras. The video where I explain how to make the cables is already up-here’s the link! ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.htmlsi=cSd7obZTvEpqpdCt As for my camera collection and reviews, that's definitely something I’m excited to share in the future, so stay tuned! 😊
I think I was recommended your video because I'm into FPV RC planes, and that's the typical use for these DVRs. This is a great idea though, so I might pick up an old camcorder at the thrift store and try it! Amazing how much better the quality the cameras are already capable of without being restricted to tape.
Just wondering if it's possible to record the HDMI full HD output from camcorders with HDMI socket? I've got a Canon HV20 that uses tape but the mechanism is getting tired, tapes are hard to find and the Firewire socket (which Canon said was uneconomical to repair 12 years ago) has failed.
Hey! I’m glad the algorithm brought you here it’s great to have you on board! I’m really happy you enjoyed the video, and I’m excited to share more creative ways to use these old school cameras, thanks for your support!
That’s awesome to hear! I’m glad the review and examples were helpful. Shooting with old cameras can be a lot of fun, and I’m excited that you’re giving it a go. Thanks for your support, and enjoy bringing those cameras back to life!
Thank you! I’m really glad to hear that you're interested in the adapter cables. I’m actually working on a video right now that will cover exactly how I made them, and it will be out next Sunday, so stay tuned-it's coming soon!
I gotta admit, based on the size I almost expected it to go in the tape area and work that way. Like an old cassette tape adapter in an old car radio. It threw me when it was just hooked up to the video out ports but it makes sense..
Those old cassette adapters were stupidly cheap and simple devices too. There doesnt really seem much to this device either, the av jacks then probably a small arm microprocessor to process the signal and write to the sd card.
One of my first thoughts was I wonder if I could fit this into one of the tape slots in my cameras in a way that wouldn't interfere if I did want to take it out and put tape in. But then opening and closing the tape access to hit record would be both interesting and annoying.
@@branbroken you're right those cassette adapters were simple it was literally a play head used in reverse and a cable. Some manufacturers had to get fancier by putting a rubber band and gears in to fool some car stereos.
Thank you for the great video! I would love to see a video on how to make all of the adaptor cables. Or do you maybe have a document in which you can see how you need to mod the cables? Something like a wiring or circuit diagram?
Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I’m already working on a video about how to create the adapter cables, that’s definitely on my list. I don’t have a specific document or diagram at the moment, but it’s a great idea. I’ll see if I can put something together to help with the wiring and modifications. Stay tuned!
This is awesome. I have a bunch of older VHS / miniDV cameras, one of which cannot record on tape anymore, but I absolutely love the way it looks. I’ll try this out, thanks!
Thank you! I’m so glad you found this helpful. Older VHS and MiniDV cameras have such a unique look, and it’s great that you’re planning to try this out, especially with a camera that can’t record on tape anymore. I think you’ll love the results, thanks for giving it a shot!
Thanks for presenting this solution. I've been looking for such a a solution as I have found it difficult to connect my DVR to Linux over Firewire/USB. I find you whispered commentary somehow soothing. 🙂 (Like Ren)
Loved this video Max, I have now subscribed. And yes it would be very interesting to see how you can show us how to wire up different cameras etc etc I look forward to your next video.
Thank you so much for subscribing! I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. I’m definitely planning to dive into wiring up different cameras, and actually, the next video will be about how to make the 3.5mm cable and the RCA adapter I’m just waiting on a few components I ordered online. 😊
@@organicphoto Thank you so much! I've already made a video about the basic cables. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks so much! 😊 That’s a really interesting idea, modifying a camera to have the connector inside the tape area sounds like a creative challenge! It might be tricky depending on the camera’s internal layout, but with some careful planning and soldering, it could definitely be possible. Here’s a video where I modified a Barbie toy camera, not exactly the same, but the principle is pretty similar. If you decide to give it a try, I’d love to see how it turns out. Feel free to share your progress! :) ua-cam.com/video/0dgdPiL6mJ0/v-deo.html
@@MaxVegaKun i was always curious about gutting a vhs camcorder and putting in a better camera. Im horrible at wiring anyhting but if i just used it as a shell it could be a fun build
I saw another device also for fpv drones it has built in screen but it's like $120 your solution is brilliant and waaay cheaper. I didn't know about this device. Thanks so much for sharing!!! I will buy mine. Please make all the videos that you suggested in this one. Great content! you have a new subscriber :D
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you found this solution helpful, it’s definitely a more budget-friendly option! I really appreciate your support! I’ll definitely be making all the videos I mentioned in this one, so stay tuned for more content. Welcome aboard, and thanks for subscribing! 😄
That’s awesome! 😊 I’m so glad you got yours, and don’t worry-soldering just takes a little practice! I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it in no time. And guess what? The tutorial video for making the cable is already out! Here’s the link: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html. Thanks again for watching and for your support!
Nice idea. You can also get mini dvr's that can upscale to higher resolutions and I'm sure I saw one that can even do interpolation. Basically you could get 4k.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you found it informative. Extending the life and uses of old handy cams is one of the best parts of these projects. It’s great to keep them going!
Looks fantastic when bypassing tape during the shooting. But if I used this as a standalone tape-to-digital converter for something already recorded, how does it compare to that $60 Vidbox capture device?
@@BeOurBee It works exactly the same with pre-recorded VHS material. To my eyes, the mini DVR just looks better, but the Vidbox wins by far in audio quality :)
If someone made one of these that recorded full DV via firewire I'd be so stoked. I hate that these things capture in shit formats with bad audio. Would love to see the cable & monitor videos. It 'd be great to know how to solder a Sony DV out to 3.5
You can't solder a digital port onto an analog signal. MCE QuickStream regularly goes for 60ish dollars on ebay and takes an HDD or SSD which would be better than the 32gb maximum shown in the cheap adapter in the video. Firestore DS4 goes for about $150. If you're looking at Sony in particular, they already sold hard drive recorders for the DV/Firewire on specific cameras. Def read the documentation of your camera, because what you want likely already exists.
Unfortunately, there's no way to do that because MiniDV cameras output via firewire port is a digital signal, while the input on these recorders is analog. There are specific devices designed for portable recording from MiniDV cameras, but they’ve been discontinued and are only available second-hand at very high prices. At least in my experience, the ones I’ve seen are quite expensive, and since they’re used, they often don’t have much life left. Additionally, the options I’ve come across usually require a specific battery, which can also be costly plus they're usually bulky. I’ve never had one in my hands, but from the videos I’ve seen where friends capture MiniDV tapes directly via FireWire (which offers the same quality as the capturers I mentioned above), the difference in video quality compared to what I get with the mini DVR is minimal-at least to my eyes. The big difference is in the audio; while I love the video quality the mini DVR provides, the audio is pretty bad in comparison. However, it really depends on what you’re using it for. In my case, since I’m making music videos, it’s more than sufficient because I end up removing the audio anyway-I just use it as a reference to sync the song. I wish I could offer a better solution, but I can only recommend looking into portable MiniDV recorders. Thanks for your comment, and I hope this helps a bit!
@@MaxVegaKun no problems. Just ordered one of these for my trinicon tube camera. stoked its so small. Have you checked the bitrates of the different capture settings? Would love to know what bitrate the HD runs at
That’s awesome! The small size really makes it perfect for projects like this. I have checked the bitrates of the different capture settings, and while I don’t remember the exact bitrates for VGA and D1, I’m pretty sure they’re no more than 12mbps. For HD, the bitrate is 28mbps, and you can definitely see the difference in quality. I hope you have a great time with your Trinicon tube camera!
To be honest, I don’t have a FireWire capture card to test the exact same video recording, but I’ve seen recordings from a friend who uses an old laptop with that port. In my view, the quality is very similar between the two. There are differences, but I wouldn’t say one is better than the other-it’s more about variations in color and saturation. Regarding the frame rate, the mini DVR unfortunately only supports up to 30 fps. Personally, I don’t notice a significant difference between 30 and 60 fps, unless you’re doing slow-motion work, where 60 fps might have an edge. But outside of that, 30 fps works just fine for me. It really depends on how you plan to use the footage. Just keep in mind, this is the opinion of a hobbyist, not an expert! 😊
hello @MaxVegaKun you have earned my subscription, i loved your content and how to give life to perfectly working video equipment📹hope many more people give these cameras better use and start recording memories.
I stuck my mini dvr onto the battery with velcro. The placement feels pretty good but the wiring will determine if it's actually good. Looking forward for the cable video. I'm assuming we would have to cut a cable in half then swap the connections to change the order of the ttrs head. Not sure at all though
That sounds like a solid setup! Velcro is a great way to keep things flexible. You’re on the right track with swapping the connections to adjust the TRRS order. I’ve just finished editing the cable video, and it’s coming out this Sunday, so stay tuned-it’ll cover exactly how to do that. I’ll also show some other options for connectors and how to make adapters. Thanks for sharing your setup, and I hope the video helps!
That’s a great question! 😊 The price of a used VX1000 can vary a lot depending on its condition and whether it’s fully functional. Generally, they tend to go for much higher than $90, so if the one you’re looking at is in good working condition, that’s an amazing deal! Just make sure to check for any issues, especially with the tape mechanism or lens. If everything checks out, I’d say go for it! :)
@@MaxVegaKun great thank you for the information I appreciate it. I'm in south Africa and someone is selling a working one for very little. Thanks again
Sorry to hear that :( Let me share what I think might help. Keep in mind that the mini DVR doesn’t use the same pinout as video cameras. Here’s a link where I explain how to fix it easily. I hope this helps you out :) ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
I tried to fix the audio by adding 500ohm resistor to the audio signal and it yield better audio quality (the default gain is too high so the audio keeps clipping) you have to try that!
That’s great to hear it worked for you! I tried using a signal attenuator cable connected to an external microphone, and to be honest, I didn’t see much improvement. The signal volume was lower and didn’t clip, but in my case, the overall quality didn’t change much. I tested with several microphones, and it was the same result each time. I think the issue might be inherent to the device because when I checked the audio properties, I noticed the sample rate is only 8000kHz, which is well below the standard 44,100kHz. But it’s definitely worth trying again, thank you so much for the suggestion!
@@pokepress Yes, that’s definitely possible, especially since it was originally designed for use with FPV drones. Another issue is the low sampling quality, so even if you attenuate the input signal, the final audio quality doesn’t improve much, unfortunately. :( Thanks for your question!
Of course the obvious fix would be just do it old school, double system sound with a digital audio recorder with a good mic and a clap board of some kind and then synching it up later. It's another step and another button to push, but you wouldn't have to knock yourself out too badly, I think.
@divergentthinkingproductions Yes! I’ve been doing that with the videos where the audio really matters to me, though there are only a few. Most of the time, I only care about the video since I use these cameras to make music videos. As for digitizing pre-recorded content on tape, I made an adapter cable that splits the audio from the video so I can record the audio externally. :) Thanks so much for your input!
I followed the process, and I even set up the wires properly like in the video. Continuing from this, I have no visual; I can hear but no visuals. Does anyone have any help?
I just bought one of these, but the videos I take are garbled, the screen is black and the audio is completely jacked up, what can I do to fix this? Do I need to solder the cables together and use those specific ones? I have 2 cables that look like the one that came with it and both end up with the garbled mess.
Hi! The mini DVR doesn’t have the same pinout as retro cameras, but there’s a very simple solution. Here’s a video where I explain it: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html. As for the audio, there’s not much you can do. As I mention in the video, the quality is pretty bad. The only thing that might help a bit is lowering the volume on your camera (if it has manual controls) to minimize distortion. This device was mainly designed for recording drone footage, so they prioritized video quality over audio. Unfortunately, it’s a hardware limitation, and the only workaround is to reduce the input volume to avoid distortion. However, that won’t improve the audio quality since the sample rate is fixed at 8 kHz.
Thanks for bringing that up! Yeah, unfortunately, the mini DVR has a pretty low sample rate, which affects the audio quality. Another issue is that the audio input is designed for microphones, not line-level signals, so the sound can come through too strong and end up clipping. The good news is that you can fix this a bit by using an attenuator cable or adding a resistor to the audio input. It does help, but I’ll be honest-it’s not a perfect fix. Still, it’s worth trying! I hope that helps a bit, and I appreciate you sharing your experience!
just bought an old panasonic thinking it would be able to record to the sd card. (it was in the digital camera category on the auction) thanks for the idea.
You're very welcome! 😊 I’m glad this solution will work for you! It’s a great way to give new life to those old cameras. If you run into any questions or need help, feel free to reach out. Good luck with your setup! 🎥
wanna try this one with mini dvr device, i used cheap video capture connected to my phone and i thought it was turns out really well. but still gonna work for the 3.5mm jack cable, maybe you can tell me what is the name for the jack (detailed one) if i want to buy one on e commerce?
I think my VHS camcorder only turns on the microphone when there is a tape inserted. Is there any method for me to capture audio from the microphone too? (Its a "Panasonic Omnimovie")
can i buy a panasonic adapter? i have a camera with the exact port from the panasonic camera, and would like to use a mini dvr on it, its a VDR-D220, it does work, but records onto dvds, and the dvds it uses are rare to find nowadays.
That’s such a great camera, but as you said, using it today with DVDs is definitely a headache! Regarding the proprietary Panasonic cable, when I needed one for my camera, I searched everywhere and, unfortunately, it was super expensive. What I ended up doing was buying a Sony cable instead, as they’re much cheaper. The pins are exactly the same; the only difference is the connector shape. If you carefully sand down the front part of the connector to make it fit, it works perfectly! It just takes a bit of patience. Here’s the link to the cable I bought and sanded down in case you’re looking for a more affordable option and don’t mind modifying the connector :) a.co/d/hAe6rsD
Hi! The mini DVR has very poor audio recording quality, so the best option is to record the audio separately, like on a recorder, to the PC or to the phone. For that, you would have to make a cable that allows you to output the audio and video independently :)
Thank you for your question! Unfortunately, it doesn’t keep both fields or deinterlace to 59hz. You won’t get 60p, but you do get 30p. I’m not exactly sure what process it uses-I’m not an expert, so take my opinion with a grain of salt-but to my eyes, it looks pretty smooth. It’s definitely good enough for my needs, which is making music videos. To give you a better comparison, I can say it looks much better than some more expensive devices I’ve seen on Amazon, like the Digitnow. Hope this helps!
@@MaxVegaKun damns, that is a bummer. I want to find something to replace an old Mac with FireWire. Still unbeatable in quality. Removing one field will decrease the resolution in half
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I totally get it-nothing quite beats a FireWire port for capturing digital video from MiniDV cameras. There are portable devices that can capture the digital signal without any loss in quality, just like on a computer with a FireWire port. You can find them second-hand on eBay, but they are quite a bit more expensive. I think this device is more suitable for older cameras that only have an analog signal output. To be honest, to my eyes, there’s not a huge difference between MiniDV captured via FireWire and this device, or at least not enough to justify the higher cost of those specialized devices. I suppose it really depends on what you plan to do with the footage
Hi! Are you referring to a cable with RCA connectors (yellow, red, and white) on one end and a 3.5mm plug on the other? If so, yes, it’s definitely possible, as long as the pinout matches the Mini DVR’s input. Here’s a video where I explain this in more detail, I hope it helps! :) ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
Great video this helps a lot! Do you notice a difference between footage directly from MiniDV tapes (then later recording to a computer) vs directly capturing to a microSD through the mini DVR? I was told that reading from tapes still has a more vintage quality (tape artificats etc) and higher bitrate. Also were the sample footages of the playground from the Sony DCR-PC100 camcorder? Thanks!
Hi! If you're using a MiniDV camera and transferring the footage to your computer via the FireWire port, that video is digital, so it shouldn’t contain any artifacts. The cameras that produce those retro glitches you’re looking for are primarily VHS or Hi-8. When you record video with the mini DVR, you're capturing video from the analog source of your camera (AV output), not from the tape, because that tape is digital. However, if you're transferring the video to your computer not through FireWire but through the AV output, the final quality will depend a lot on the capture card you're using. So, if you’re after that '80s look, the best way to achieve it is with a VHS or Hi-8 camera. I've read many comments saying it’s better to record on tape first and then digitize, but honestly, I haven’t noticed much difference when recording directly from the AV output of my VHS cameras to the mini DVR without using the tape. I still get those glitches and that aesthetic we all love. And yeah, I was using my beloved sony pc100 in those shots! I hope this helps! Thanks so much for your comment!
@@MaxVegaKun Thanks so much for your response! Of your footages, I love the videobox one and the mini DVR! I think the videobox one has a little bit more filmic quality to it whereas the the mini DVR looks like it's a little bit more bright and exposed (maybe higher gain?). But I'm sure you can tell better the image quality with the original files. I'm trying to avoid buying the apple thunderbolt firewire adapters (they cost 100s of dollars now because they are discontinued) so your video is very valuable to me! Thank you!
@AprendizAdulto Thank you so much! Yeah, those adapters are really expensive. I actually decided to buy a very old laptop on eBay for $50 USD that has a FireWire port to transfer video from MiniDV cameras. FireWire is the best way to get the highest quality from those cameras. But to be honest, I think 'quality' is very subjective. When I started using these retro cameras, I was a bit obsessed with getting the best possible image. Later, I realized, and this is just my opinion, that what’s more important is that you like the result and that it conveys the feeling you’re looking for. So, it doesn’t matter what method you use; what really matters is that you’re happy with the result! 😀
Thanks for your question! I wasn’t whispering intentionally-it’s just the tone I use because I need to keep the noise down where I live. I’m also still working on improving my English pronunciation, so I try to speak calmly. Thanks for understanding!
@@MaxVegaKunYour English pronunciation is already better than what I hear out in the streets. I would totally get into audiobooks if you were the one reading them. Keep up the great work.
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! :)
You know, This seems ALOT easier than gutting the entire VHSC mechanism out of my $9 Panasonic pv-iq505d... But I still have to build a new battery for it. This would probably also dramatically increase the cameras battery life considering it doesn't require all that extra to spin the motors and shit in the vcr.
Thank you! I totally understand, sometimes it’s tough to know if those budget devices will work as expected. I’m glad this video could help provide some clarity. If you decide to go for it, I hope it works out well for you
This is a very interesting gizmo but, You are throwing away half of your camera's resolution by using HD 720p. You need to record in D1 mode, keeping the interlaced video signal intact (if this thing is capable, but I'm very doubtful), and then you can deinterlace the signal using Topaz Video AI on your PC (or similar programs).
This is a very interesting observation! Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what kind of processing this device uses, but I’ve tested it at all resolutions, and it always looks better in HD-likely because of the 28mbps bitrate, which is much higher than the VGA and D1 options. In terms of frame rate, it offers just 30 fps across all settings. When I’ve used other capture devices, I’ve used VirtualDub for deinterlacing, and to be honest, I don’t promote this device for any hidden reasons, haha. But in my eyes, the final result with the mini DVR in Full HD has always been better. Again, I’m not sure what process it’s using, but I really like how it looks. That being said, take my opinion with a grain of salt, since I’m not an expert, but based on my past comparisons, this has been my go-to for price and convenience. The only downside, as you pointed out, is the audio. The sample rate is just 8000 kHz, and the input clips a lot since it’s designed for a microphone, not a line input. Still, for my use-making music videos where I replace the audio-it works well enough. 😊
Great video, Hahahaha i was also thinking of using this on a panasonic gs500, its pretty much one of the last mini dv camcorders which was released around 2006, i also use a firewire recorder which is the priciest alternative, if some one is looking for 1-1 quality then firewire is the best way to go, something like the sony mrc1 or a focus firestore fs models are the alternatives. though the mrc1 is like 400 dollars the focus firestore is like 100, whit a cheap mod you could make the focus record on cf cards like the mrc1 for easy access otherwise the firestore needs a firewire adapter
Thank you so much! To be honest, I didn’t know the Canon VM-E2N, but I did some research, and it’s a really good-looking camera! I’m glad you enjoyed the video your support means a lot!
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! 😊 I’m glad you’re interested in the cables. Great news-the video is ready! Here’s the link: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.htmlsi=xEj2-WiInNwUzaNJ Hope you find it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!
I have this exact same brand dvr, but my mSD card doesn’t lock into the port - I can spring it inside, and it won’t fall out if turned upside down, but it doesn’t lock into place. Did I get a bad batch or is this normal? Thanks brother
That’s a pretty strange issue, you’re actually the second person to mention this! It might be a quality control problem, but I’ve personally purchased over 10 of these, and I’ve only had a similar issue once. In my case, I had to use a small clip instead of my fingernail to push the card into place. After that first time, it worked fine and didn’t give me any more trouble. Hopefully, that trick helps! Let me know if you run into any other issues. Thanks for sharing your experience! :)
@ thanks brother, I will try it and let you know. It might be a new batch thing but idk. I also tried using a 64gb mSD, and held it in while powering it on - corrupted the card. Might’ve been the pressure or the incompatible file type. So use the paper clip to push it in? It needs sharp pressure, then?
Brother! You rock buddy. I had an old ELGATO or something that I cut and soldered a connector to transfer footage and such and it was difficult and needed to have tapes too! You rock bro
The video is already out, and I’d love for you to check it out! Here’s the link: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html Hope you enjoy it, and thanks again for your support!
@@MaxVegaKun thanks a lot it really helps a lot and the people that wanted to do a tapeless on a budget. hope there are more content creators like you, this so helpful, i dont need to buy another hi8 tape since it can do tapless method. much love from the philippines🇵🇭💯
I totally get it, and I wish it were that simple! Unfortunately, you can’t just use a standard TRRS-to-TRRS cable because the pinout configuration on the mini DVR is different from most standard cables. The mini DVR uses a specific order for video, audio, and ground, which requires a custom cable to match. If soldering feels too intimidating, I totally understand! There are some pre-made adapter cables available online for similar setups, but they might not be an exact match for this particular use. Once I meet the UA-cam store requirements, I’m planning to offer pre-made cables and mods, so that might be a solution down the road! In the meantime, don’t worry too much about the soldering. If you ever decide to give it a try, it's easier than it seems with a little practice! 😊
For MiniDV it would be nice to find a quality real time converter from DV out to something more modern, even MP4, but still keep quality audio & video. All those tapes take up room and are cumbersome to search and store. I don't know how long it would take to convert hundreds of them to SSD or SD.
Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad to hear that DIY cables would be helpful. I’m planning to cover that in an upcoming video, and I’m just waiting for a few components to arrive. Stay tuned for more details on how to make them!
Hey! Just wanted to clarify that I’m not getting paid to promote this devise; I just think it’s a great option. I also know it might not be perfect for every use, but I’m sharing my experience because it’s worked really well for what I need. Hope the video helps! I probably forgot to mention some details, so feel free to ask any questions!
Am I the only one having issues inserting a micro SD card in the Mini DVR? I can't get it to click into the slot. What am I doing wrong?
Do you get any screen tearing? I get screen tearing with my capture device, and when i fullscreened your video I had tearing, when I exited full screen the problem was gone. But I think the mini dvr is not properly deinterlacing and converting the frame rate
Hi Max, Do you know if it can work on a Mini DV camcorder ? for example I have a Panasonic ag-dvx100b.
Thank for your video :)
@@heavymetalnewsdeskHi! Honestly, I haven’t noticed any major issues with it. However, I think it really depends on what you plan to use it for. I hope it works well for your needs :)
@@ChrisSmartFilmsSorry to hear that :( Honestly, I’m not sure what the issue could be. I’ve bought several and never had that problem. I’d recommend opening the casing (you only need to remove 4 small screws) to check if the micro SD card slot is damaged. I hope this helps!
Recording of the RCA ports, and bypassing the tape, yields fantastic results. The cameras have to leave out a LOT of color and luma fidelity to fit its signal onto tiny 8mm and vhs-c tape. So going straight from the ports means you’re gonna have a great time!
You're absolutely right! Bypassing the tape and capturing directly from the RCA ports makes a world of difference. The cameras had to compromise on color and luma fidelity to fit the signal onto those smaller 8mm and VHS-C tapes, so when you capture straight from the ports, you really get to see the full potential of these vintage cameras. It’s a great way to preserve that extra detail and quality. Thanks for your input!
I actually did this as an experiment on my old Windows 98 desk top PC in the early 2000's. I had a TV card installed and it also had RCA inputs if you wanted to plug in a camcorder to record off tapes. One day I ditched the tape and turned on the camcorder. Only had about 4 feet if cable. So I could only film my living room and out the window. But the quality was amazing compared to the tape
but that means it does not look like vhs, which is the point of using a terrible old camera. i know taht you will say to add a vhs effect in editing, but what is the point of the old camera then?
@4jp It still looks like VHS. But it looks like the nicer high end players and video cameras that richer people could buy compared to us people who could afford K-Mart or Hills quality. Lol
@4jp It still looks much better than using a filter in post-production. I think if we weigh it, using an original retro camera with these new approaches is worth it. It might not be 100% faithful to using a tape, but it’s close enough to make it worthwhile
Hello, could you tell me how you created the yellow-white cable that comes out at 2:30? What is that black adapter on that cable that looks like a female jack? thank you
Well, I have managed to build the cable but the mini DVR only records the audio at 8000 Hz and it is a very good image quality but horrible audio quality. Do you know any solution to this?
Audio recording is done at 128 kbps and 8000 Hz and the minimum should be 44100 Hz for decent listening.
Well, this has convinced me into buying a second hand VHS camera, I just love the overall aesthetics of the old analogue video recorders but I was hesitant because of the lacking of actual tapes to record, this solves that problem
This makes so much sense, whoever made this devices is brilliant! Thanks for the video!!
Bro, you have a Bob Ross level soothing quality to your voice. That is a gem! You should consider doing bed time stories as a narrator. You will make bank
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.
I’ve been converting all my mini DV’s the past couple of weeks. Love this!
That's awesome! I'm glad you're enjoying it! 😊
For miniDV, it is much better to use a firewire cable and make an exact digital copy, instead of converting to analog and then converting again to digital.
@@Snohup thanks. That is how I’m currently doing it.
@@camerafusion Sorry to bother you, can you give me the list of your stuff for recording on a mini dv cam ? thanks :)
@@EvraEn1EvraEn1 Sure, I use a Panasonic PV-GS29 I purchased off eBay, I bought that one because it was at a good price and replacement aftermarket batteries are available. A 4-Ports 1394A PCIE FireWire 400 Expansion Card (Came with the FireWire Cable) from amazon, I had to make sure my PC had an available slot, luckily it did. I use premiere pro to capture the footage. With that, the newest 2024 release of Premiere Pro has removed that feature. So if you have a 2023 version or older, don't delete it. I'm sure there are other programs available but it's a program that I use regularly. Hope that helps. And if that's not what you were asking, sorry about that. I've only been converting my old Mini DV's that I use to record back 15 years and future back. I do have new tapes that I"m thinking about using but the capture device in Max Vega's video so that I can give that a go.
great new tech saves old school equipment!! Love it!!
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you loved it. I don’t consider myself a technician yet, haha, just a hobbyist. But if all goes well and I can arrange my work schedule, I’ll start studying electronics in February next year. I’m excited to keep working with these lovely cameras and beautiful devices from the past!
Sometimes I use new tech to save my old tech, sometimes I use old tech to get around the BS of new tech. Sometimes sometimes, I force them to work together. Life is crazy.
Totally agree!
This is truly amazing. A portable television studio.
Actually it's way more if you can re work the OS on the camera.. Blamo You also get Dos and wordprocessing
then add a 1TB micro sd
Well spotted Doc. Was that a BTTF reference? 😄
You can use a cellphone instead
No wonder the president is an actor, he has to look good on television.
... ... man, that rings a little different now, doesn't it 😂😂😂
Oh man, this video was randomly recommended to me and I loved it! You video content is pretty interesting. Keep it up!
Thank you so much! I’m glad the algorithm brought you here, and even more so that you enjoyed the video! Your support means a lot to me, and I’ll definitely keep the content coming :)
Brilliant video. Found your channel while searching for a way of recording to SD card directly from my old Sony TRV240E Digicam and thanks to this video, I reckon it can be done.
it's amazing to know people like you exist! I have a Sony Handycam that records on mini DVDs, and I've been looking into a way to bypass the DVDs cause they are hard to find, expensive, etc, and the camera has nightshot mode! modern phones don't have nightshot mode! I'll defnetly loo into this device, hope there is a way to improve sound quality
@@Androchan Thank you so much! And yeah!! Sony's nightshot feature is super cool even nowadays!
Thank goodness a device that actually works with little effort, I bought a capture card few months ago and it’s terrible because it wouldn’t work on a MacBook but had no problems with pc laptop
It’s definitely frustrating when something doesn’t work as expected, especially after spending money on it. I’m glad this device seems to be a good fit for you! Thanks for the comment I appreciate it!
this is awesome dude really got my brain ticking with ideas to utilise some old tech without the headache/cost of tape
Love the 80s style music to match the tech! Well done sir!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it, I really love 80s music! I appreciate your support and kind words!
Thank you very much for this video! This device is so compact and simple, but it performs such a useful function! It costs less than everything I used to buy to digitize videos from old cassettes: a video capture card for a computer, a vhs tape recorder, an easy-cap, and everything is so simple and convenient here. I am very glad that I came across your video, thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 I’m really glad you found the video helpful and that this device has made things simpler for you. It’s amazing how such a compact tool can replace all those other components and still do a great job! Hearing that it’s been useful for you makes creating these videos so rewarding. If you ever have any questions or need help with your setup, feel free to reach out. Thanks again for watching and sharing your experience! :)
Dude you rock! this is exactly what I need thank you 🙌
This is very helpful. I’m going to be starting a music video soon which needs to have an authentic old camcorder look, and I think this will work very well for my needs.
That sounds like an exciting project! I’m glad you found this helpful, and I’m sure using an old camcorder will give your music video that authentic look you’re aiming for. Best of luck with the shoot, I’d love to see how it turns out!
@@MaxVegaKunThanks! Yeah, I had planned to film it with a modern camera and bounce the finished edit to VHS tape for a vintage look, but it’s much better to start with a period-accurate camera. Hopefully I still have a working one around here somewhere…
That sounds like an awesome plan. There’s something about the original equipment that really captures the essence of that era. Hopefully, you’ve got a working one around!
Fantastic idea! I've played around with old camcorders, but didn't use them for anything, as the tapes are so inconvenient. But this device makes it so much easier! Thanks for the share 👍
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! Old camcorders have so much potential, but I agree, dealing with tapes can be a hassle. This device really does make it easier to bring them back to life. Thanks for your support!
Generally these camcorders would usually have an av output for connecting to a tv, thats doing most of the hardwork, you can usually connect these to your pc easily enough but then this device is so cheap anyway and would still allow you to go portable albeit with perhaps a bit of tape sticking it to the side of the cam.
This is awesome. I've been looking for something like this for aaaags. What's the custom cable schematic/situation like?
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!
ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
Brilliant. Thanks for this it will bring new life to my old cameras. Looking forward to your explanation of how to make cables. Also would love to see your camera collection and reviews. Keep it up.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad this will help breathe new life into your old cameras. The video where I explain how to make the cables is already up-here’s the link! ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.htmlsi=cSd7obZTvEpqpdCt As for my camera collection and reviews, that's definitely something I’m excited to share in the future, so stay tuned! 😊
I think I was recommended your video because I'm into FPV RC planes, and that's the typical use for these DVRs. This is a great idea though, so I might pick up an old camcorder at the thrift store and try it! Amazing how much better the quality the cameras are already capable of without being restricted to tape.
Menu was like 80's gaming
Haha true!
Just wondering if it's possible to record the HDMI full HD output from camcorders with HDMI socket?
I've got a Canon HV20 that uses tape but the mechanism is getting tired, tapes are hard to find and the Firewire socket (which Canon said was uneconomical to repair 12 years ago) has failed.
Hey. Not sure why the algorithm sent you my way, but this is super cool and I look forward to seeing other ways you use old school cameras. Cheers.
Hey! I’m glad the algorithm brought you here it’s great to have you on board! I’m really happy you enjoyed the video, and I’m excited to share more creative ways to use these old school cameras, thanks for your support!
I don't have any retro camera at all, but this mini DVR thing seems awesome!!
Looks like I'll be repurposing all my old cameras with this device. Thanks for the review and examples Max.
That’s awesome to hear! I’m glad the review and examples were helpful. Shooting with old cameras can be a lot of fun, and I’m excited that you’re giving it a go. Thanks for your support, and enjoy bringing those cameras back to life!
I would love to see a video on how you made the adapter cables.
Thank you! I’m really glad to hear that you're interested in the adapter cables. I’m actually working on a video right now that will cover exactly how I made them, and it will be out next Sunday, so stay tuned-it's coming soon!
@@MaxVegaKun Second on that, I have a full size panasonic omnimovie thats been collecting dust that could use one lol
@@MaxVegaKun mae em and sell them ?? lmaoo I would buy them
I gotta admit, based on the size I almost expected it to go in the tape area and work that way. Like an old cassette tape adapter in an old car radio. It threw me when it was just hooked up to the video out ports but it makes sense..
Those old cassette adapters were stupidly cheap and simple devices too. There doesnt really seem much to this device either, the av jacks then probably a small arm microprocessor to process the signal and write to the sd card.
One of my first thoughts was I wonder if I could fit this into one of the tape slots in my cameras in a way that wouldn't interfere if I did want to take it out and put tape in. But then opening and closing the tape access to hit record would be both interesting and annoying.
@@branbroken you're right those cassette adapters were simple it was literally a play head used in reverse and a cable. Some manufacturers had to get fancier by putting a rubber band and gears in to fool some car stereos.
Thank you for the great video! I would love to see a video on how to make all of the adaptor cables. Or do you maybe have a document in which you can see how you need to mod the cables? Something like a wiring or circuit diagram?
Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I’m already working on a video about how to create the adapter cables, that’s definitely on my list. I don’t have a specific document or diagram at the moment, but it’s a great idea. I’ll see if I can put something together to help with the wiring and modifications. Stay tuned!
@@MaxVegaKun thank you so much, looking forward to it!
This is awesome. I have a bunch of older VHS / miniDV cameras, one of which cannot record on tape anymore, but I absolutely love the way it looks. I’ll try this out, thanks!
Thank you! I’m so glad you found this helpful. Older VHS and MiniDV cameras have such a unique look, and it’s great that you’re planning to try this out, especially with a camera that can’t record on tape anymore. I think you’ll love the results, thanks for giving it a shot!
Thanks for investing your time and sharing with us. Great video!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch, and I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
So cool! I would definitely be interested in a video about external recorders. If I was doing this I would try to push the quality as far as possible.
Thanks for presenting this solution. I've been looking for such a a solution as I have found it difficult to connect my DVR to Linux over Firewire/USB.
I find you whispered commentary somehow soothing. 🙂 (Like Ren)
Loved this video Max, I have now subscribed. And yes it would be very interesting to see how you can show us how to wire up different cameras etc etc I look forward to your next video.
Thank you so much for subscribing! I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. I’m definitely planning to dive into wiring up different cameras, and actually, the next video will be about how to make the 3.5mm cable and the RCA adapter I’m just waiting on a few components I ordered online. 😊
Please make a video tutorial on how to make those cables, thanks! And thanks for making old tech attractive!
@@organicphoto Thank you so much! I've already made a video about the basic cables. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out:
ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
Let me know if you have any questions!
Very informative. I enjoyed this content. Subscribed. 👍
could you provide a equipment list?
this was great dude good job
I have to check this out! The immersionrc method is expensive this is a great alternative.
this is great, i wonder if i can modify once of my cameras to have the connector inside the tape area
Thanks so much! 😊 That’s a really interesting idea, modifying a camera to have the connector inside the tape area sounds like a creative challenge! It might be tricky depending on the camera’s internal layout, but with some careful planning and soldering, it could definitely be possible.
Here’s a video where I modified a Barbie toy camera, not exactly the same, but the principle is pretty similar. If you decide to give it a try, I’d love to see how it turns out. Feel free to share your progress! :)
ua-cam.com/video/0dgdPiL6mJ0/v-deo.html
@@MaxVegaKun i will do for sure!
@@MaxVegaKun i was always curious about gutting a vhs camcorder and putting in a better camera. Im horrible at wiring anyhting but if i just used it as a shell it could be a fun build
I saw another device also for fpv drones it has built in screen but it's like $120 your solution is brilliant and waaay cheaper. I didn't know about this device. Thanks so much for sharing!!! I will buy mine.
Please make all the videos that you suggested in this one. Great content! you have a new subscriber :D
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you found this solution helpful, it’s definitely a more budget-friendly option! I really appreciate your support! I’ll definitely be making all the videos I mentioned in this one, so stay tuned for more content. Welcome aboard, and thanks for subscribing! 😄
@@MaxVegaKun So I bought mine! and I was trying the cables. I will need to practice a little with soldering first lol. Thank you again for this video!
That’s awesome! 😊 I’m so glad you got yours, and don’t worry-soldering just takes a little practice! I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it in no time. And guess what? The tutorial video for making the cable is already out! Here’s the link: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html. Thanks again for watching and for your support!
Nice idea. You can also get mini dvr's that can upscale to higher resolutions and I'm sure I saw one that can even do interpolation. Basically you could get 4k.
Very good and informative also it extends the uses of your old handy cam.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you found it informative. Extending the life and uses of old handy cams is one of the best parts of these projects. It’s great to keep them going!
Now I have an itch to bust out my old camcorder, thank you for the video!
Looks fantastic when bypassing tape during the shooting. But if I used this as a standalone tape-to-digital converter for something already recorded, how does it compare to that $60 Vidbox capture device?
@@BeOurBee It works exactly the same with pre-recorded VHS material. To my eyes, the mini DVR just looks better, but the Vidbox wins by far in audio quality :)
If someone made one of these that recorded full DV via firewire I'd be so stoked. I hate that these things capture in shit formats with bad audio. Would love to see the cable & monitor videos. It 'd be great to know how to solder a Sony DV out to 3.5
Mrk1 or HRDV 60 but those are hard to find at a decent price
You can't solder a digital port onto an analog signal. MCE QuickStream regularly goes for 60ish dollars on ebay and takes an HDD or SSD which would be better than the 32gb maximum shown in the cheap adapter in the video. Firestore DS4 goes for about $150. If you're looking at Sony in particular, they already sold hard drive recorders for the DV/Firewire on specific cameras. Def read the documentation of your camera, because what you want likely already exists.
Unfortunately, there's no way to do that because MiniDV cameras output via firewire port is a digital signal, while the input on these recorders is analog. There are specific devices designed for portable recording from MiniDV cameras, but they’ve been discontinued and are only available second-hand at very high prices. At least in my experience, the ones I’ve seen are quite expensive, and since they’re used, they often don’t have much life left. Additionally, the options I’ve come across usually require a specific battery, which can also be costly plus they're usually bulky.
I’ve never had one in my hands, but from the videos I’ve seen where friends capture MiniDV tapes directly via FireWire (which offers the same quality as the capturers I mentioned above), the difference in video quality compared to what I get with the mini DVR is minimal-at least to my eyes. The big difference is in the audio; while I love the video quality the mini DVR provides, the audio is pretty bad in comparison. However, it really depends on what you’re using it for. In my case, since I’m making music videos, it’s more than sufficient because I end up removing the audio anyway-I just use it as a reference to sync the song.
I wish I could offer a better solution, but I can only recommend looking into portable MiniDV recorders. Thanks for your comment, and I hope this helps a bit!
@@MaxVegaKun no problems. Just ordered one of these for my trinicon tube camera. stoked its so small. Have you checked the bitrates of the different capture settings? Would love to know what bitrate the HD runs at
That’s awesome! The small size really makes it perfect for projects like this. I have checked the bitrates of the different capture settings, and while I don’t remember the exact bitrates for VGA and D1, I’m pretty sure they’re no more than 12mbps. For HD, the bitrate is 28mbps, and you can definitely see the difference in quality. I hope you have a great time with your Trinicon tube camera!
would it be better quality than a firewire capture card? also does it support 60 fps recording?
To be honest, I don’t have a FireWire capture card to test the exact same video recording, but I’ve seen recordings from a friend who uses an old laptop with that port. In my view, the quality is very similar between the two. There are differences, but I wouldn’t say one is better than the other-it’s more about variations in color and saturation.
Regarding the frame rate, the mini DVR unfortunately only supports up to 30 fps. Personally, I don’t notice a significant difference between 30 and 60 fps, unless you’re doing slow-motion work, where 60 fps might have an edge. But outside of that, 30 fps works just fine for me. It really depends on how you plan to use the footage. Just keep in mind, this is the opinion of a hobbyist, not an expert! 😊
@@MaxVegaKunToo bad it doesn’t do 60fps. Thats a dealbreaker for me.
@@tvtechnicaldirector deal broken!
Amazing video, thanks for this information Max!
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed the video and found the information helpful. Your support means a lot to me!
hello @MaxVegaKun you have earned my subscription, i loved your content and how to give life to perfectly working video equipment📹hope many more people give these cameras better use and start recording memories.
feeling lucky this got recommended to me! thanks dude :)
Thanks so much! I’m really glad the video got recommended to you! Appreciate the support! 😊
I stuck my mini dvr onto the battery with velcro. The placement feels pretty good but the wiring will determine if it's actually good. Looking forward for the cable video. I'm assuming we would have to cut a cable in half then swap the connections to change the order of the ttrs head. Not sure at all though
That sounds like a solid setup! Velcro is a great way to keep things flexible. You’re on the right track with swapping the connections to adjust the TRRS order. I’ve just finished editing the cable video, and it’s coming out this Sunday, so stay tuned-it’ll cover exactly how to do that. I’ll also show some other options for connectors and how to make adapters. Thanks for sharing your setup, and I hope the video helps!
What do used vx1000's go for more or less. Is $90 a good price?
That’s a great question! 😊 The price of a used VX1000 can vary a lot depending on its condition and whether it’s fully functional. Generally, they tend to go for much higher than $90, so if the one you’re looking at is in good working condition, that’s an amazing deal! Just make sure to check for any issues, especially with the tape mechanism or lens. If everything checks out, I’d say go for it! :)
@@MaxVegaKun great thank you for the information I appreciate it. I'm in south Africa and someone is selling a working one for very little. Thanks again
Got one and the Av in and out doesn’t seem to work 😭
Sorry to hear that :( Let me share what I think might help. Keep in mind that the mini DVR doesn’t use the same pinout as video cameras. Here’s a link where I explain how to fix it easily. I hope this helps you out :) ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
I tried to fix the audio by adding 500ohm resistor to the audio signal and it yield better audio quality (the default gain is too high so the audio keeps clipping) you have to try that!
That’s great to hear it worked for you! I tried using a signal attenuator cable connected to an external microphone, and to be honest, I didn’t see much improvement. The signal volume was lower and didn’t clip, but in my case, the overall quality didn’t change much. I tested with several microphones, and it was the same result each time. I think the issue might be inherent to the device because when I checked the audio properties, I noticed the sample rate is only 8000kHz, which is well below the standard 44,100kHz. But it’s definitely worth trying again, thank you so much for the suggestion!
Is it possible it was originally intended for a mic-level signal rather than line level?
@@pokepress Yes, that’s definitely possible, especially since it was originally designed for use with FPV drones. Another issue is the low sampling quality, so even if you attenuate the input signal, the final audio quality doesn’t improve much, unfortunately. :( Thanks for your question!
Of course the obvious fix would be just do it old school, double system sound with a digital audio recorder with a good mic and a clap board of some kind and then synching it up later. It's another step and another button to push, but you wouldn't have to knock yourself out too badly, I think.
@divergentthinkingproductions Yes! I’ve been doing that with the videos where the audio really matters to me, though there are only a few. Most of the time, I only care about the video since I use these cameras to make music videos. As for digitizing pre-recorded content on tape, I made an adapter cable that splits the audio from the video so I can record the audio externally. :) Thanks so much for your input!
I followed the process, and I even set up the wires properly like in the video. Continuing from this, I have no visual; I can hear but no visuals. Does anyone have any help?
Hi! Did you follow this tutorial? ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html hope it helps :)
I just bought one of these, but the videos I take are garbled, the screen is black and the audio is completely jacked up, what can I do to fix this? Do I need to solder the cables together and use those specific ones? I have 2 cables that look like the one that came with it and both end up with the garbled mess.
Hi! The mini DVR doesn’t have the same pinout as retro cameras, but there’s a very simple solution. Here’s a video where I explain it: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html. As for the audio, there’s not much you can do. As I mention in the video, the quality is pretty bad. The only thing that might help a bit is lowering the volume on your camera (if it has manual controls) to minimize distortion. This device was mainly designed for recording drone footage, so they prioritized video quality over audio. Unfortunately, it’s a hardware limitation, and the only workaround is to reduce the input volume to avoid distortion. However, that won’t improve the audio quality since the sample rate is fixed at 8 kHz.
They need to make DV players again in order for these cameras to make a comeback
I would love to see more about the dvr capture device. I’ve used it in one of my projects but I’m having issues getting clear audio.
Thanks for bringing that up! Yeah, unfortunately, the mini DVR has a pretty low sample rate, which affects the audio quality. Another issue is that the audio input is designed for microphones, not line-level signals, so the sound can come through too strong and end up clipping. The good news is that you can fix this a bit by using an attenuator cable or adding a resistor to the audio input. It does help, but I’ll be honest-it’s not a perfect fix. Still, it’s worth trying! I hope that helps a bit, and I appreciate you sharing your experience!
need a version that records from the firewire out port of DV cameras
just bought an old panasonic thinking it would be able to record to the sd card. (it was in the digital camera category on the auction) thanks for the idea.
Anytime! Hope it works with your camera, thank your for your comment! :)
Link to item?
How can i convert the file from hd to the original version? I dunno how to do it!! Thanks
Thank you so much! Have an old RCA VHS camcorder that unfortunately cant eject and eats tapes so this will work so well for me!
You're very welcome! 😊 I’m glad this solution will work for you! It’s a great way to give new life to those old cameras. If you run into any questions or need help, feel free to reach out. Good luck with your setup! 🎥
any tips for making the adapter for the RCA cables?
@@hecate8968 Yes! Here I explain how to make it! hope it helps :) ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
wanna try this one with mini dvr device, i used cheap video capture connected to my phone and i thought it was turns out really well.
but still gonna work for the 3.5mm jack cable, maybe you can tell me what is the name for the jack (detailed one) if i want to buy one on e commerce?
I think my VHS camcorder only turns on the microphone when there is a tape inserted. Is there any method for me to capture audio from the microphone too?
(Its a "Panasonic Omnimovie")
can i buy a panasonic adapter? i have a camera with the exact port from the panasonic camera, and would like to use a mini dvr on it, its a VDR-D220, it does work, but records onto dvds, and the dvds it uses are rare to find nowadays.
That’s such a great camera, but as you said, using it today with DVDs is definitely a headache! Regarding the proprietary Panasonic cable, when I needed one for my camera, I searched everywhere and, unfortunately, it was super expensive. What I ended up doing was buying a Sony cable instead, as they’re much cheaper. The pins are exactly the same; the only difference is the connector shape. If you carefully sand down the front part of the connector to make it fit, it works perfectly! It just takes a bit of patience. Here’s the link to the cable I bought and sanded down in case you’re looking for a more affordable option and don’t mind modifying the connector :)
a.co/d/hAe6rsD
Great Video Sir. Hope it brings you lots of views.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support!
Good morning, can you tell me how to record with better sound, since these cameras do not have good sound?
Hi! The mini DVR has very poor audio recording quality, so the best option is to record the audio separately, like on a recorder, to the PC or to the phone. For that, you would have to make a cable that allows you to output the audio and video independently :)
Does it record both fields? I don't think so
Thank you for your question! Unfortunately, it doesn’t keep both fields or deinterlace to 59hz. You won’t get 60p, but you do get 30p. I’m not exactly sure what process it uses-I’m not an expert, so take my opinion with a grain of salt-but to my eyes, it looks pretty smooth. It’s definitely good enough for my needs, which is making music videos. To give you a better comparison, I can say it looks much better than some more expensive devices I’ve seen on Amazon, like the Digitnow. Hope this helps!
@@MaxVegaKun damns, that is a bummer. I want to find something to replace an old Mac with FireWire. Still unbeatable in quality. Removing one field will decrease the resolution in half
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I totally get it-nothing quite beats a FireWire port for capturing digital video from MiniDV cameras. There are portable devices that can capture the digital signal without any loss in quality, just like on a computer with a FireWire port. You can find them second-hand on eBay, but they are quite a bit more expensive. I think this device is more suitable for older cameras that only have an analog signal output. To be honest, to my eyes, there’s not a huge difference between MiniDV captured via FireWire and this device, or at least not enough to justify the higher cost of those specialized devices. I suppose it really depends on what you plan to do with the footage
can i use an av to 3.5mm for the mini dvr?
Hi! Are you referring to a cable with RCA connectors (yellow, red, and white) on one end and a 3.5mm plug on the other? If so, yes, it’s definitely possible, as long as the pinout matches the Mini DVR’s input. Here’s a video where I explain this in more detail, I hope it helps! :)
ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html
@@MaxVegaKun thank you so much man!
Great video this helps a lot! Do you notice a difference between footage directly from MiniDV tapes (then later recording to a computer) vs directly capturing to a microSD through the mini DVR? I was told that reading from tapes still has a more vintage quality (tape artificats etc) and higher bitrate. Also were the sample footages of the playground from the Sony DCR-PC100 camcorder? Thanks!
Hi! If you're using a MiniDV camera and transferring the footage to your computer via the FireWire port, that video is digital, so it shouldn’t contain any artifacts. The cameras that produce those retro glitches you’re looking for are primarily VHS or Hi-8. When you record video with the mini DVR, you're capturing video from the analog source of your camera (AV output), not from the tape, because that tape is digital.
However, if you're transferring the video to your computer not through FireWire but through the AV output, the final quality will depend a lot on the capture card you're using. So, if you’re after that '80s look, the best way to achieve it is with a VHS or Hi-8 camera. I've read many comments saying it’s better to record on tape first and then digitize, but honestly, I haven’t noticed much difference when recording directly from the AV output of my VHS cameras to the mini DVR without using the tape. I still get those glitches and that aesthetic we all love.
And yeah, I was using my beloved sony pc100 in those shots!
I hope this helps! Thanks so much for your comment!
@@MaxVegaKun Thanks so much for your response! Of your footages, I love the videobox one and the mini DVR! I think the videobox one has a little bit more filmic quality to it whereas the the mini DVR looks like it's a little bit more bright and exposed (maybe higher gain?). But I'm sure you can tell better the image quality with the original files. I'm trying to avoid buying the apple thunderbolt firewire adapters (they cost 100s of dollars now because they are discontinued) so your video is very valuable to me! Thank you!
@AprendizAdulto Thank you so much! Yeah, those adapters are really expensive. I actually decided to buy a very old laptop on eBay for $50 USD that has a FireWire port to transfer video from MiniDV cameras. FireWire is the best way to get the highest quality from those cameras. But to be honest, I think 'quality' is very subjective.
When I started using these retro cameras, I was a bit obsessed with getting the best possible image. Later, I realized, and this is just my opinion, that what’s more important is that you like the result and that it conveys the feeling you’re looking for. So, it doesn’t matter what method you use; what really matters is that you’re happy with the result! 😀
Seems great to use on VHS and VHS-C and good investment but for miniDV I think FireWire is still the way to go.
Why whisper the entire video?
Thanks for your question! I wasn’t whispering intentionally-it’s just the tone I use because I need to keep the noise down where I live. I’m also still working on improving my English pronunciation, so I try to speak calmly. Thanks for understanding!
@@MaxVegaKun I totally understand. Great video. Thank you.
@@MaxVegaKunYour English pronunciation is already better than what I hear out in the streets. I would totally get into audiobooks if you were the one reading them. Keep up the great work.
I wish more youtubers spoke like him
@@MaxVegaKun your English is very good
Do I need to connect the mini dvr to a computer to configure or can it be done on the camera?
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! :)
So no link to this item?
You know, This seems ALOT easier than gutting the entire VHSC mechanism out of my $9 Panasonic pv-iq505d... But I still have to build a new battery for it. This would probably also dramatically increase the cameras battery life considering it doesn't require all that extra to spin the motors and shit in the vcr.
Thank you i was looking at those cheap devices but it is hard to know sometimes if it works properly.
Thank you! I totally understand, sometimes it’s tough to know if those budget devices will work as expected. I’m glad this video could help provide some clarity. If you decide to go for it, I hope it works out well for you
This is a very interesting gizmo but, You are throwing away half of your camera's resolution by using HD 720p. You need to record in D1 mode, keeping the interlaced video signal intact (if this thing is capable, but I'm very doubtful), and then you can deinterlace the signal using Topaz Video AI on your PC (or similar programs).
This is a very interesting observation! Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what kind of processing this device uses, but I’ve tested it at all resolutions, and it always looks better in HD-likely because of the 28mbps bitrate, which is much higher than the VGA and D1 options. In terms of frame rate, it offers just 30 fps across all settings.
When I’ve used other capture devices, I’ve used VirtualDub for deinterlacing, and to be honest, I don’t promote this device for any hidden reasons, haha. But in my eyes, the final result with the mini DVR in Full HD has always been better. Again, I’m not sure what process it’s using, but I really like how it looks. That being said, take my opinion with a grain of salt, since I’m not an expert, but based on my past comparisons, this has been my go-to for price and convenience.
The only downside, as you pointed out, is the audio. The sample rate is just 8000 kHz, and the input clips a lot since it’s designed for a microphone, not a line input. Still, for my use-making music videos where I replace the audio-it works well enough. 😊
Great video, Hahahaha i was also thinking of using this on a panasonic gs500, its pretty much one of the last mini dv camcorders which was released around 2006, i also use a firewire recorder which is the priciest alternative, if some one is looking for 1-1 quality then firewire is the best way to go, something like the sony mrc1 or a focus firestore fs models are the alternatives. though the mrc1 is like 400 dollars the focus firestore is like 100, whit a cheap mod you could make the focus record on cf cards like the mrc1 for easy access otherwise the firestore needs a firewire adapter
I would love to see what u could do with my old Canon Vm-E2N from 1987!! Great job !! I really like this.
Thank you so much! To be honest, I didn’t know the Canon VM-E2N, but I did some research, and it’s a really good-looking camera! I’m glad you enjoyed the video your support means a lot!
My uncle had a night vision camcorder when I was middle school, Those things are quite a rarity nowadays.
Yes! Amazing cameras! :)
Can you record and use the video output to diplay(on a monitor)the image at the same time?
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! :)
This is so cool, thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I’m really glad you enjoyed it! :)
Could you post a link to the device you purchased?
Amazing! Would be very helpful to see how you make those cables :)
Thank you so much! 😊 I’m glad you’re interested in the cables. Great news-the video is ready! Here’s the link: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.htmlsi=xEj2-WiInNwUzaNJ Hope you find it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!
@@MaxVegaKun awesome, thanks! :)
Great video!!
Thank you!
I have this exact same brand dvr, but my mSD card doesn’t lock into the port - I can spring it inside, and it won’t fall out if turned upside down, but it doesn’t lock into place. Did I get a bad batch or is this normal? Thanks brother
That’s a pretty strange issue, you’re actually the second person to mention this! It might be a quality control problem, but I’ve personally purchased over 10 of these, and I’ve only had a similar issue once. In my case, I had to use a small clip instead of my fingernail to push the card into place. After that first time, it worked fine and didn’t give me any more trouble.
Hopefully, that trick helps! Let me know if you run into any other issues. Thanks for sharing your experience! :)
@ thanks brother, I will try it and let you know. It might be a new batch thing but idk. I also tried using a 64gb mSD, and held it in while powering it on - corrupted the card. Might’ve been the pressure or the incompatible file type.
So use the paper clip to push it in? It needs sharp pressure, then?
@ hey! That worked! Thanks dude :)
Brother! You rock buddy. I had an old ELGATO or something that I cut and soldered a connector to transfer footage and such and it was difficult and needed to have tapes too! You rock bro
thank you dude!
Having this little DVR would have solved hearing the tape whir from the built mic. Wish I had that feature back in thar day. 😂
great video. I can't understand how to see the menu on my screen?
Can you upload a tutorial video on how to make a special cables?
The video is already out, and I’d love for you to check it out! Here’s the link: ua-cam.com/video/q0lSxFi5fRc/v-deo.html Hope you enjoy it, and thanks again for your support!
@@MaxVegaKun thanks a lot it really helps a lot and the people that wanted to do a tapeless on a budget. hope there are more content creators like you, this so helpful, i dont need to buy another hi8 tape since it can do tapless method. much love from the philippines🇵🇭💯
Thank you so much! 😊 I’m really glad to hear the content has been helpful for you-it means a lot to me! The best vibes to the Philippines!
Cant I just buy a dual male trrs to trrs cable? Or do i have to make my own cable? I dont know how yo solder 😢
I totally get it, and I wish it were that simple! Unfortunately, you can’t just use a standard TRRS-to-TRRS cable because the pinout configuration on the mini DVR is different from most standard cables. The mini DVR uses a specific order for video, audio, and ground, which requires a custom cable to match.
If soldering feels too intimidating, I totally understand! There are some pre-made adapter cables available online for similar setups, but they might not be an exact match for this particular use. Once I meet the UA-cam store requirements, I’m planning to offer pre-made cables and mods, so that might be a solution down the road!
In the meantime, don’t worry too much about the soldering. If you ever decide to give it a try, it's easier than it seems with a little practice! 😊
Hellooo, do you mind putting the link for the monitor?
Aaaaa it works, Tysm! but, the audio its really garbage. idk, any idea to make better audio quality in this dvr ? i like if any idea. Tysm btw.
For MiniDV it would be nice to find a quality real time converter from DV out to something more modern, even MP4, but still keep quality audio & video. All those tapes take up room and are cumbersome to search and store. I don't know how long it would take to convert hundreds of them to SSD or SD.
Yes, the DIY cables would be useful
Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad to hear that DIY cables would be helpful. I’m planning to cover that in an upcoming video, and I’m just waiting for a few components to arrive. Stay tuned for more details on how to make them!
Very good and definitely a good idea to make a video how to make leads etc.
Thank you! I’m really glad you think it’s a good idea. The video on how to make the leads and adapters will be out tomorrow at 11 am, so stay tuned!