How To Control DV Camcorders Without FireWire

Eliminate the Need For Expensive VCR Rentals

Independent filmmakers are saving thousands of dollars by controlling low-cost DV camcorders and VCRs directly from their editing systems without using FireWire. By eliminating the need for expensive VTR rentals, purchases and tape duplications, the money saved can be put to much better uses -- such as paying yourself.

Systems without a FireWire interface must use the RS-422 machine control commands included in the software of nearly all editing systems. Most of the systems actually in use, such as Avid, Media-100, Discreet Logic, Speed Razor and others, do not have digital inputs/outputs to work with DV camcorders and VCRs. In these cases you can use an Lport converter-- http://www.taosys.com/lport -- which allows your system to control the DV camcorder or VCR just like a Betacam deck.

What Do You Do?
Connect your computer to an Lport converter box and connect that box to your DV camcorder or VCR. This solution also works with Hi-8, Digital-8 and there's a box available for Panasonic Mini-DV.

Here's your guide to making it work:

PC-Based Editing Systems

1) To use an Lport interface with a PC based system you need the VTR control cable which came with your system. This cable converts the PC COM port from an RS-232 to RS-422 electrical connection. If you don't have the RS-232 to RS-422 converter cable, you can get one at http://www.taosys.com/vtrlink. Connect this VTR control coverter cable to your PC COM port.

2) Connect the 9-pin male end of the VTR control cable to the Lport box. Then use the cable included with the Lport box to connect the box to your camcorder or VCR's LANC connector. LANC is also known as Control-L. The connector looks like a small single-pin hole (smaller than a normal mini-audio jack). LANC control jacks are found on all Sony and Canon Mini-DV equipment, as well as low-cost DV-CAM equipment.

3) This configuration transmits control data, including the original timecode, to your editing system. You can log tapes, batch capture and re-capture all of your footage directly from your camcorder or VCR.

Macintosh-Based Editing Systems
Macintosh computers support the RS-422 electrical protocol without need for conversion from RS-232. USB-only Macs, however, will need an adapter on the USB port (order "Keyspan Twin Serial Adapter" from any Mac mail-order house such as Mac Connection (1-800-800-2222) or MacWarehouse (1-800-725-1454). It's about $80). This plugs into one USB port and provides two serial ports.

Once your Mac has an available serial port (whether you used the Keyspan adapter or your Mac already has serial ports), then use your editing system's normal VTR control cable (Mac serial 8-pin DIN to 9-pin VTR) to connect your Mac to the Lport converter box.

After the cable is connected from your Mac to the Lport box, follow #2 above.

Linear Editing Systems

Linear controllers such as Sony RM-450, PVE-500, as well as Panasonic and JVC controllers, can be used with an Lport converter box.

Adobe Premiere

This solution also works with Premiere (Mac and PC) after installing a software plug-in which enables Premiere for RS-422 deck control. See http://www.taosys.com/deckpro.

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