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General discussion

Recording external video/audio on Sony DCR-HC36

Jul 17, 2006 10:24PM PDT

I recently bought a Sony DCR-HC36. The manual clearly states that you can record external video/audio sources (such as from a VCR, DVD, TV, or other source) using the supplied A/V cable. It has a connection diagram which confirms this process. It states that for this operation, you must insert the camera's power cable, and you navigate thru the menu to either the "REC CTRL" or the "REC MOVIE" pages. One thing I noticed... the actual A/V jack is labeled "A/V OUT". Yet, if it was meant for output only, that would seem to be in conflict with the manual... as well as, why have the two 'ext. record modes'?

I've have been able to get the camera to record, however- although there is source material present, there is no audio or video signal present on the screen, nor on playback, so I just get a blank screen and no audio. It does erase any previous recordings on the tape, so I know the record-mode is working. The a/v cable is working, since when used as an output, I get both audio and video signal FROM the camera. All of the normal expected recording/playback functions pertaining to the CAMERA to the tape/memory stick work fine.

So- this works: DCR-HC36 > video/audio monitor... and this does not: source audio/video > DCR-HC36.

Any ideas/thoughts?

Discussion is locked

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Here's what I read. Firewire only for input.
Jul 17, 2006 10:51PM PDT

"A high speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VTRs and PCs."

Aka FIREWIRE, this satisfies the statement it can record from what items you listed albeit FIREWIRE.

As to ANALOG INPUT they write "Analog Audio/Video Input: N/A" This means no analog in.

Hope this clears that up. Here's the link:
www.camcordersplus.com/sony/minidvcamcorders/sony_dcr-hc36.html

Bob

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Hmmmm... well, yes... but-
Jul 18, 2006 3:31AM PDT

I'm looking at the manual (page 71), even as we... uhhh... even as I type. The firewire ("i link") is one of three methods listed in the graphic. The first is by using the supplied "A/V cable"... the second, by using the A/V cable (for audio) AND an "S-video" cable (for the video... (strange, considering there is no 'S-video' jack in this cam... and the third by using the i-link cable.

Ya know... if ya think about... and think about Sony, and what the company is to the world of audio-visual... it just doesn't add up that this would be an issue. Great goggly-moogly... they talk about recording movies 'directly' in the manual... and even from just a TV, no less. How many TV's have i-link jacks? Well- no matter what else... they give you three methods for making the connection, presumming, for easy and simplicity's sake.

I dunno... maybe I don't drink enough. I did check to make sure that I'm holding my tongue the right way.

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I have to rely on online fodder.
Jul 18, 2006 10:21AM PDT

Everything I read tells me there is NO analog video input. Maybe they have some generic manual you have but online, every page I read on that model denies there is analog video in.

Bob

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Same Problem on a DCR-HC40
Jul 19, 2006 1:59AM PDT

I'm having the exact same problem on a DCR-HC40...and about the FireWire, how is that supposed to solve this problem? It is not mentioned in the manual for the HC40, only the A/C Cable and the I-Link Cable are mentioned. Please someone help solve this problem, I need to record video from a tape onto my camcorder and this problem keeps happening.

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A mind is a terrible thing...
Jul 19, 2006 12:07PM PDT

Well... after having an e-arguement with Sony's customer service... I sure don't get Sony's reasoning. The nomenclature says one thing... but- meanwhile, back in the real-world, that ain't the way it is.

They tell me to have the A/V-IN function (by using the A/V cable), ya have to buy the DCR-HC90. So- how many TV's/VCR's etc., use or have a firwire connection? And why wouldn't they just make it so the A/V works? Jeez.

Well, since I'm already p!ssed... Why would they offer a x20 zoom on an HC36, but only a x12 on the more expensive models? It's like you can't get all of the bells-n-whistles. I'm glad I kept my Panasonic... it's not so p!ssy, even if it doesn't have night-vision.

What is Sony thinking?

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Yeah!
Jul 19, 2006 12:13PM PDT

Good argument, Sony is a total jerk with no respect to its customers. Why the heck would they include instructions for VCR and TV capture all the way down to HCR-36 if it doesn't work until HCR-90? That's completely ridiculous. I am purchasing another camcorder fairly soon, and I was going to go with Sony but now I'm going to rethink that. I mean, come on, you'd think that a brand that high-ranking might have some honor and pride in what they do. Sheeeesh!!

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An x12 may actually see farther and better than an x20.
Jul 19, 2006 2:24PM PDT

I don't know if that's the case with the Sony models that you have in mind, but the idea that you can compare zoom ratios is erroneous. That idea comes from their marketing side IMHO.

You really need to know what the maximum effective focal length of a zoom lense is to know how far it can 'see'. A high zoom ratio frequently means only that the lense has a very wide setting in the non-zoom position.

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Sony's features trade-offs
Jul 24, 2006 1:33AM PDT

Not that I'm an optics wizard or anything... but- I'm not quite sure I'm sold on what you've said (X12 possible seeing more than X20). But that point set aside for the moment... there are still other features that would have seemed to be designed in or out by a five-year-old... or- greedy marketing teams.

With most brands, with model A, you get X and Y... model B, you get X, Y, and Z... model C, you get X, Y, Z, and A.... etc., and so on. That doesn't seem to be the case with Sony. Their model A give you X and Y; model B give you X and Z, but not Y. Model C gives you Y and Z, but not X... but you can BUY an option for A, at an extra charge.

On top of that, they make sure that you MUST buy their brand of A/V connector cable, instead of a universal, like everyone else. Just about all spare batteries seem to be expensive... but I filled my britches paying $99. Of course, I realize that it's not JUST a simple battery... it communicates with the cam, calculating charge-levels, and amount of 'tricity' left in minutes, both for LCD use, and view-finder use. I don't think it shows any difference in battery usage between recording/playback of tape vs. memory stick. There should be significant difference because when using the tape medium, the transport motor(s) are being used... and any motor HAS to draw more than a simple circuit. Well... 'nuff of that.

All in all, I do like this cam. It's the first consumer-grade camcorder where I've been able to get 'stars' in the night sky. It just p!sses me greatly that Sony would allow external videos to be recorded using a standard A/V cable... especially considering they 'bothered' to program-in the external video recording mode. Jeez!

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I don't know what X, Y and Z are, but I agree that Sony
Jul 24, 2006 2:11PM PDT

tries to lock you in to their proprietary, expensive technology. That seems to be one of their marketing strategies, and is one reason I tend to avoid Sony products.

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Sony's features trade-offs
Jul 24, 2006 1:38AM PDT

Not that I'm an optics wizard or anything... but- I'm not quite sure I'm sold on what you've said (X12 possible seeing more than X20). But that point set aside for the moment... there are still other features that would have seemed to be designed in or out by a five-year-old... or- greedy marketing teams.

With most brands, with model A, you get X and Y... model B, you get X, Y, and Z... model C, you get X, Y, Z, and A.... etc., and so on. That doesn't seem to be the case with Sony. Their model A give you X and Y; model B give you X and Z, but not Y. Model C gives you Y and Z, but not X... but you can BUY an option for A, at an extra charge.

On top of that, they make sure that you MUST buy their brand of A/V connector cable, instead of a universal, like everyone else. Just about all spare batteries seem to be expensive... but I filled my britches paying $99. Of course, I realize that it's not JUST a simple battery... it communicates with the cam, calculating charge-levels, and amount of 'tricity' left in minutes, both for LCD use, and view-finder use. I don't think it shows any difference in battery usage between recording/playback of tape vs. memory-stick. There should be significant difference because when using the tape medium, the transport motor(s) are being used... and any motor HAS to draw more than a simple circuit. Well... that's another subject.

All in all, I do like this cam. It's the first consumer-grade camcorder where I've been able to get 'stars' in the night sky. It just p!sses me greatly that Sony wouldn't allow external videos to be recorded using a standard (or even their)A/V cable... especially considering they 'bothered' to program-in the external video recording mode. Jeez!

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Edit... how to edit my post???
Jul 24, 2006 1:41AM PDT

I must be sober... I couldn't find how to edit my first post, so I reposted. And- it was just a typo at the end, too.

Oh well... where's my Jim Beam and I.V.?