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General discussion

is 320 x 240 frame size standard for old camcorders?

by westerly-journeys Mar 4, 2010 4:16AM PST

I am capturing video from a borrowed (2002) JVC GR D201u camcorder and using a usb cable on my Compaq/hp laptop (Windows XP). I am using Pixela image software that came with the JVC camcorder. Pixela lets me specify "Full" or "half" frame size prior to capture. I specify "Full" (720 x 480). The s/w captures it as mpeg1 and I get "half" (320 x 240) no matter what I do. The camcorder manual does not tell me the frame size but gives the frame rate as 30 fps (which I thought implied "Full" frame). Have I misunderstood some fundamental point of video capture and frame size? Is there anything I should be doing--or am I just limited by old equipment? (I am doing this for a very poor non-profit--so throwing money at the problem is not an option.)

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answering my own question about frame size

by westerly-journeys Mar 4, 2010 8:24AM PST

JVC answered my question: the USB connection between camcorder and PC limits the frame size to 'half screen'. Although JVC originally supplied the USB cable to connect camera to PC, it did not explain the limitations. To get 'full' screen resolution, use a DV connection to PC. (Unfortunately older computers may not have the DV port--IEEE 1345 firewall). IEEE 1345 expansion cards are relatively inexpensive for the PC--less so for laptop. So if you have an available slot, upgrading to DV over USB will improve picture resolution 100%. (JVC online support deserves credit for responding quickly and on point.)

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