If you have not transferred video from your camcorder to a computer via Firewire I highly recommend you first conduct a test of doing so. If you can not transfer in this fashion I seriously doubt you will get "Pass Through" to work.


Based on the downloaded PDF manual for Canon ZR80, ZR55, ZR90 it appears these models do have the "Pass Through" feature which Canon calls "Analog-Digital Converter" and is on page 85. I downloaded the manual from http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/co...fcategoryid=102

Since the PDF file is locked from copying text I will just make comments as I am not going to try and type everything.

1. The procedure is called Converting Analog Signals into Digital Signals (Analog-Digital Converter) and begins on page 84.

2. The diagram shows going from the analog outputs of a VCR through a digital camcorder to another digital camcorder. Note the direction of Signal flow shown. The last digital camcorder could be a computer. The sockets identified as DV are in fact for transfer with Firewire/i.Link/IEEE 1394.

3. Go to the VCR Setup Menu and set "AV -> DV Out" to On. This seems to be common for most camcorders. This makes the DV socket an output port only. The "AV -> DV Out" button on the wireless controller can also be used.

4. Headphones can not be used.

5. It is recommend that the camcorder be powered by the AC Adapter.

6. Page 37 shows use of the S-Video cable. Using the S-Video analog cable may provide better video quality. Note that the S-Video cable only contains video. You still have to use audio cables.

7. Some camcorders require that you do not have a cassette in the camcorder during "Pass Through". Some camcorders will record to the cassette instead of passing through to the computer. I found no mention of this matter in the manual.

8. You will require a transfer program on the computer. Some versions of editors do not support "Pass through". Other editors may also have a problem. I use WinDV for all my transfer. WinDV is described here:

Easy Capture Program thread

I would appreciate feedback on success of the above or changes I should make.

Good luck.



Rich
Poll:FireWire Experience

I have not tried the av-> dv output set to on for transfer to a computer, But I can confirm that it is possible to record from Analog sources right onto the minidv in the camera. Then you can of course just transfer then to your computer the way you normally would, useing firewire. This is a great way to get tv shows or old stuff you have on a vhs tape into your computer.

My 'new' used zr40 came with a manual. It has a section on the "analog to digital converter" that says, "Do not operate with a cassette inserted to the camcorder." I assume I can use the zr40 to push old videos from my VCR to my Macintosh in iMovie.

You should be able to.

They tell you to remove the cassette for the "analog to digital converter" and probably somewhere else in the manual they will have the same setup but instead tell you to put a cassette in and call it perhaps dubbing from VHS to MiniDV. I did that method for a bunch of short VHS tapes I had. Whatever way you prefer.


Rich

__________________
FireWire Survey

Thanks for the tutorial, it worked wonders with my ZR100 and Ulead video maker.