DV Camcorders with pass-through
I have compiled a quick list of DV camcorders that have “pass through” capabilities. It is not a complete list since I did not include all brands or discontinued models. I will keep adding to this list and start to include older models. If you have any input send me an e-mail
What I found is that DV pass-thru is available on most DV cameras except for the lowest priced models. Pass through does not seem to be as common on DVD camcorders. I suppose it doesn’t make sense to have pass through on a DVD camera but it would be nice to have analog inputs to record to the DVD.
As I mentioned in the capturing section one of the best ways to convert analog sources like VHS and 8mm is to use the pass through feature of a DV camera. When I was starting out I looked at a few different hardware solutions to convert analog sources to DV. I was able to buy a Canon ZR60 camcorder to do the conversions. The fact that I also got a nifty little camcorder out of the deal was a bonus.
You may be able to score a good deal on Ebay for an older Canon or Sony. Just make sure you check the manuals to make sure the camera has pass through capabilities. Pass-through is not always listed as a feature and you may need to dig through a manual at the manufacturers site.
Canon
ZR60
ZR100
ZR200
ZR300
ZR400
Elura 80
Elura 85
Elura 90
Optura S1
Optura 50
Optura 60
Optura 400
Optura 500
Optura 600
No pass through on the DC10 or DC20
Sony
DCR-HC42
DCR-HC32
DCR-PC55
DCR-HC90
DCR-PC1000 (3cc)
DCR-HC21-NO analog
DCR-TRV480
DCR-TRV460
JVC
GRD72US
GR-D73 and GR-D93
GR-DF430US
GR-DF450US
GR-DF550US
GR-DZ7US has analog input but not sure about pass-thru
GR-X5US has analog input but not sure about pass-thru
Panasonic
PV-GS120
PV-GS150
PV-GS250
PV-GS400
PV-DV852
Samsung None
Kevin N said,
January 18, 2008 @ 10:55 am
The Panasonic PV-GS150 does not, unfortunately, have pass through. (The 120 does, but I’m not sure about the 250 or 400.) I have the 150 and need this capability for older tapes. So I’m hunting for a 2nd camera that will handle it.
JP said,
June 20, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
Any info on if either of Sony DCR-HC62 or DCR-HC52 do or do not support pass through? Thanks
Transferring old video to DVD - PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums said,
August 31, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
[...] the recording that way. Here is a web site with a list of camcorders that do some of these things. DV Camcorders with pass-through Now some of these camcorders are discontinued and you can still buy one on Ebay really cheap and [...]
Kam said,
November 9, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
is there any camera in todays models has analog input? Or is there any camera for sale which has analog inputs? I am hunting from few days with 0 luck
allan said,
November 21, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Hi what about the new Panasonic SDR SW 20 ? does it features pass through?
Andy said,
June 26, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
I’ve been hunting for a camcorder that can do DV-to-Analog pass-through so I can monitor my video editing projects on an external television monitor as I work. Do you know if the cameras you review work both ways? The can turn analog to digital, but can they turn digital to analog?
Thanks.
Paul said,
August 7, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
I have an old Canon ZR-10. Does this have “pass through” or digital VCR capability. Thanks,
Paul – a newbie to video editing, etc.
Matt said,
September 21, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
Sony TRV420e does also work
Stuart said,
September 23, 2009 @ 6:20 am
I’ve been using my Sony mini DV DCR-TRV17E to convert VHS and other formats to DV for over 7 years and I would use anything else. I have tried various capture cards and the quality is way below what the camera outputs.
Stuart said,
September 23, 2009 @ 6:21 am
I’ve been using my Sony mini DV DCR-TRV17E to convert VHS and other formats to DV for over 7 years and I wouldn’t use anything else. I have tried various capture cards and the quality is way below what the camera outputs.
Jimmy Keeley said,
December 31, 2009 @ 2:08 am
I have used a Sony DCR PC105E for recapturing old Hi8 tapes onto the PC hard drive. Had to use an old Hi8 camera connected to the DV camera, then output to PC, all worked a treat!
paul said,
January 11, 2010 @ 11:28 pm
This is a very helpful list.
I have been compiling a list of sony DV cams with analog input:
DCR-TRV310 (no passthrough)
DCR-HC30 (yes passthrough)
DCR-HC32 (? passthrough)
DCR-HC40 (? passthrough)
DCR-HC42 (? passthrough)
DCR-HC85 (? passthrough)
DCR-HC90 (? passthrough)
DCR-HC96 (yes passthrough)
BUT, the analog input on my HC96 just stopped working recently.
anyone have a similar problem? solution?
Sandro said,
January 12, 2010 @ 8:53 am
ciao c’รจ qualcuno che mi sa dire come collegare la mia videocamera Canon mv850i per usufruire della funzione pass-through in modo da acquisive vecchi video VHS sul pc? grazie
Lu said,
January 30, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
Yay or Nay on the JVC GR30DA??? I thought it would but judging by the list im taking it as a no.
I have a Dazzle but its being a pain in my side currently.