I want to use a DVD recorder as a source for importing footage into a Final Cut Pro editing system. Ideally I'd like to use the firewire link and control the DVD from Final Cut, in the same way as a DV camera. I'd also like to be able to lay back to DVD after the edit, also using firewire.

I can't find any DVD recorders that boast this capability, but the Pioneer website says makes a rather ambiguous claim, and I wonder if anyone has tried it, or even understands the marketing-speak.

"Dubbing from digital sources to the Hard Disk Drive or DVD discs is a simple matter of connecting a camcorder to the DV IN/OUT connector on the front of the DVD recorder. The user-friendly remote — combined with Pioneer's easy-to-use GUI — controls both machines for dubbing, playback, pause, fast forward, and rewind. To temporarily restore homemade DVDs to the camcorder, you just plug into the DV IN/OUT connector. One DV cable inputs/outputs A/V data and control signals. The DV IN/OUT can also be connected to a DV deck."

thanks

Hi

Pioneer DVD recorders only support DV-In. Their older models supported in and out but this has been dropped for cost reasons and it was little used. The firewire only outputted your own recordings, i.e. commercial DVDs would not play out the DV socket.

The remote control element only works with camcorders, it will not remote control a computer or vice versa.

What do you want to import from DVD? Generally you would record it into your computer direct from the camcorder.

Regards

Phil

Yup, the GUI protocol (i.e. the control bit) only works with VCR or cameras equipped with the same.

You can digitise the footage into Final Cut Pro using a camcorder that allows composite/S-video play-through - what camcorder do you have?

Many cameras allow you to plug the analog video/audio output from whatever you want into the camera, and switching your FCP capture to "Non-controllable device" you will be able to record into your FCP scratch disks.

You can of course lay back digitally, if you do a digital cut from FCP to the camera - then a secondary layback from the camera to the DVD recorder.

The GUI control is a bit crap really, nowhere near frame accurate.

Hope this helps.
Last edited by Dolby Kid : 12-01-2007 at 22:52