[smonster]

Just wondering if anyone has seen any reviews or heard anything about the Formac Studio (http://www.formac.com). I've been trying to decide between this analog/digital video converter and the one made by Sony. It seems the only big difference is that the Formac one has included a TV tuner.

I think the Formac Studio just began shipping recently, so I haven't been able to find much information on it. Any thoughts?

[doug young]

buy a camcorder that is enabled for dv in/out and 2 way analog.
You have to switch it each time you want to reverse the direction of conversion, but hell, you can also use it as a camcorder

Otherwise I don't know about the sony converter, but the Formac one looks pretty good if it fits your needs and price.

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I've never been wrong, except once when I thought I was wrong, but I wasn't. I was Right.



[This message has been edited by doug young (edited 03-08-2001).]

[DominikHoffmann]

The thing I need in the Formac Studio is its ability to allow PAL recording. That way I can record to a PAL VHS VCR, so I can send the tapes to Germany.

Dominik Hoffmann

[smonster]

Originally posted by doug young:
buy a camcorder that is enabled for dv in/out and 2 way analog.
You have to switch it each time you want to reverse the direction of conversion, but hell, you can also use it as a camcorder

Thanks for the advice...I think buying a dv camcorder w/analog in/out is definitely a possibility. One question though: Will it be possible to go directly from an external analog source to the computer and visa versa? (Or will I have to record the analog source to the camcorder tape and then go to the computer?)

Specifically, I've been looking at the Sony Digital8 DCRTRV120, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thanks...

[jwardell]

Very few camcorders allow you to pass analog through to firewire DV real time. I know the current line of Sony MiniDV camcorders do this no problem, but older models or other brands probably don't. Works great with my TRV20.

[smonster]

Thanks for the advice...

I decided against the Formac Studio and ordered one of the 2001 Sony Digital8 Camcorders...specifically, the DCR-TRV230. Looks like a pretty solid camera for a decent price, and it seems to have the digital/analog converter functions that I was looking for. Just thought I'd follow-up.