Hey guys (and gals), I need your help. I know there was a similar thread here on BGP sometime within the past couple of years, but for the life of me, I can't find it.

 

We have a video camera that shoots great video. It's a Canon GL2, that uses the digital videocassettes as it's method of recording. Unfortunately, we've started experiencing some problems with the cassette deck that prohibits us from actually recording anything. However, when it's in "camera" mode, we can still get great video through the AV port. So, we're wondering (since we already have all the accessories for this camera) is it possible to just change the method of recording (versus sending it to Canon for an expensive repair job or getting a new camera)?

 

I'm open to just about anything right now (portable DVD, hard drive, etc.) if someone can throw some suggestions my way. Just so you know, we typically stop the tape during timeouts, in between quarters, etc. so that there's minimal excess that we need to edit out afterwards. Would like something that would allow us to continue that, if at all possible.

You can get something like a sony dvd direct burner, connect via av cable and just record on DVD deck hitting button, saw someone do that years ago with similar camera issue. But rather than spending $ on a tape camcorder that's standard definition, I'd consider upgrading to HD camcorder, with a hard drive or flash drive. I had a Sony Vx2100 with similar issue and although it was great video with a prosumer camcorder, I get better HD video from a cheap Sony HD camcorder

this...... Sony HDR CX260V Handycam Full HD 16GB Flash Memory Camcorder w Accessories 027242842304 | eBay

Hey guys (and gals), I need your help. I know there was a similar thread here on BGP sometime within the past couple of years, but for the life of me, I can't find it.

 

We have a video camera that shoots great video. It's a Canon GL2, that uses the digital videocassettes as it's method of recording. Unfortunately, we've started experiencing some problems with the cassette deck that prohibits us from actually recording anything. However, when it's in "camera" mode, we can still get great video through the AV port. So, we're wondering (since we already have all the accessories for this camera) is it possible to just change the method of recording (versus sending it to Canon for an expensive repair job or getting a new camera)?

 

I'm open to just about anything right now (portable DVD, hard drive, etc.) if someone can throw some suggestions my way. Just so you know, we typically stop the tape during timeouts, in between quarters, etc. so that there's minimal excess that we need to edit out afterwards. Would like something that would allow us to continue that, if at all possible.

 

What other types of ports does your model have? I would say that there are probably some that could be used, but if it's the primary function of your camera to record another way, it may be risky and/or sacrifice quality.

We use the AV ports on our camera when streaming our stuff to IHigh. You can get a USB Adapter that may be able to be recognized on your laptop for video capture. That's what we do.

What other types of ports does your model have? I would say that there are probably some that could be used, but if it's the primary function of your camera to record another way, it may be risky and/or sacrifice quality.

 

It's actually got several different ports on the back. There's a mini USB port, but I believe that's for use only when transferring still pictures from the memory card. But, there's also a DV in/out terminal for a firewire cable, as well as an S-video port. So, there's three ways to send out the signal. We've used the AV terminal in the past, sending it straight to DVD when we've had an event inside (a play) that we utilized simply because we didn't want to worry about missing anything when we'd have to switch tapes. Never noticed any difference in quality there. We just don't want to lug a full size DVD recorder around to football or basketball games.