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How To Capture From An HDV Camcorder Using VLC

Select Open Capture Device...

In the Open... dialog, click Refresh list (otherwise you won't see the camcorder listed).

Select your camcorder from the list (it will have a generic name as shown below).

Check [x] Stream/Save. Click Settings...

Check [x] File for Outputs and choose your Encapsulation Method ( (.) MPEG TS etc.)

Click Browse... to specify the file name and location.

Click Save to close the file dialog.

Click OK to close the Stream output dialog.

Click OK to close the Open... dialog.

Capture will start at this point without much indication other than the pause button showing:

But you can monitor the progress via Windows Explorer - the file size will refresh every second or so:

Press the Stop button in VLC to end capture and close VLC. If you open the file to look at it straight after capturing without closing VLC, it will erase the file.

I like using VLC for capture because you can also see the live video in full resolution. I have Vegas but it limits the resolution to 320 x 240 or something like that. Not much use if you are trying to set the focus on an HD source.