I am able to hook up my VCR to my Sony DCR-TVR730 digital camcorder, and set the camcorder to convert the analog signal to digital.  I have an iLink cable connecting to the computer.  The camcorder is set to the "VCR" position but not in record mode or playback mode.

When the VCR is playing, video signal goes through the camcorder and displays properly in the preview screen, but I can't find a way to actually capture it.  For Capture Sources the only choice given is "Sony DV  Device".  When I start capture, the program turns on the Camcorder in playback mode, thus I get the camcorder's 8mm cassette video, not the feedthru signal from the VCR.  If I hit the stop button on the camcorder so I'll get the feedthru signal again, this in turn stops the capture.

 Is there a way to capture the incoming signal without using the on-screen camera controls?

 I've tried using the camera's USB output to computer USB input but the program doesn't recognize it, saying it can't find any video devices.

 According to the manual there's suppose to be a way to capture manually by checking a "VCR" box, but no such box shows on my Setup-Capture Source window.  Although I think that is all associated with analog capture.

I have no problems if I capture the camcorder's tape when it's in playback mode.  I'd like to capture the camcorder's output when it's not in playback mode.  I guess this is similar to capturing directly when in record mode.  Studio allows starting capture directly from the camcorder's 'record' mode..  But with the camcorder in VCR mode, initiating capture turns on the camcorder to playback mode which in turn stops the feedthru signal.

Thanks for any help.

 Caskbill

XP, Studio 10 plus v10.7  (I guess this is current because when it checks on-line it says this is the current version)

I am able to hook up my VCR to my Sony DCR-TVR730 digital camcorder, and set the camcorder to convert the analog signal to digital.

I get the camcorder's 8mm cassette video,

If your Cam has AV/DV "Pass Thru", IMO, you don't have the cassette in the Cam. Remove it & see what happens..

colour:

If your Cam has AV/DV "Pass Thru", IMO, you don't have the cassette in the Cam. Remove it & see what happens..

I use a Sony Digital with "Pass Thu" for conversion to DV from a VCR and you are correct Peter, there must not be a cassete in the camera when performing this operation.

Thanks for the replies.  Yes, that's all it took.  Works great.  Don't know why I just didn't think of that???

 When I removed the cassette, the Studio 10 program still showed the camcorder image, but all the buttons were greyed out.  Clicking the Start Capture button on the righ started capturing the pass thru signal.

 Thanks again.

 Bill

Good work guys.                                                                            

I also noticed that this tip was in bold letters in our knowledge base here.