Using the DTE Recorder with the DVX100 Camera
The DTE Recorder makes it possible to use the DVX100 (or any other firewire camera) to record directly to an external hard drive - no more time wasted logging & capturing - now you can import your files directly into Final Cut Pro (just as you do with the Xacti). If you're just getting started you can use a miniDV tape as a back up but once you are comfortable with the system it is not necessary.
Set Up
Camera
You should set the DVX 100 menus according to the settings on the DVX menu guide.
The only thing to change is under menu 7. FUNCTION: set DV CONTROL to EXT
DTE Recorder
- Connect the camera to the DTE recorder using a 4-6 pin firewire cable.
- Set the time & date
- On the recorder, click the right button 4 times to get to the SET UP menu where you can correct the date/time
- Recording format
- click the right button twice to get to the HDD MODE menu. Select DV RECORDER.
- click the right button three times for the DV FORMATS menu. Click down to the second page of the menu & select QUICKTIME 24P.
- If you would like to use the controls on the camera to start/stop recording you need to enable
- Press the Left button once to the Control Screen
- Select TAPELESS
To power off the recorder you need to hold the OFF button (which doubles as the STOP button) down for 3 seconds.
Post Production
- Attach the recorder to your computer using a 6-6 firewire cable
- click the right button twice to the HDD MODE menu
- select DD DRIVE
You will now be able to see the files on the external drive. Usually they are embedded into a folder with the date and time as the title. Drag the files to your folder on the computer or hard drive you are using as your scratch disk. Import them into Final Cut Pro & you're ready to go.
Advanced
There are a lot of great advanced features of this device. Time Lapse & Retro Cache are especially great. To access these controls click the right button once to the RECORD menu.
- Time Lapse - This setting will allow you to capture one frame at whatever rate you set
00:00:00:00 = Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames
- Retro Cache - This setting keeps the camera recording a cache when it is in pause mode. You can set the amount it will save from 1 - 10 seconds. If you hit the record button the device will automatically add those extra seconds at the head of the clip. This is particularly useful if you are in a documentary situation & want to make sure you can catch things on the fly.