Information about

DV-in software for JVC

DV-in Software for JVC and Thomson DV Camcorder. Download version 1.7

FAQ:

Which camcorders can be DV-in enabled by the DV-in software for JVC?
It can DV-in enable the following European (ending with “E” or “EG”) PAL camcorders:
JVC GR-DVL20, GR-DVL30, GR-DVL40, GR-DVL100, GR-DVL108, GR-DVL140, GR-DVL150, GR-DVL200, GR-DVL300, GR-DVL308, GR-DVL355, GR-DVL450, GR-DVL555, GR-DVL9200, GR-DVL9500, GR-DVL9700, GR-DVX4, GR-DVX7, GR-DVX8, GR-DVX9, GR-DVX44, GR-DVX77, GR-DV1800
and the JVC compatible camcorders by Thomson:
Thomson VMD2 (=DVL20), VMD3 (=DVL40), VMD8 (=DVX4), VMD10 (=DVL9700), VMD120 (=DVL150)
Attention: GR-DVM5, GR-DV3, GR-DVL9000, GR-DV1 and DVX Pro cannot be DV-in enabled. The new GR-DVP1 can be dv-in enabled, but right now only by dv-in service because a special adapter is needed for this very small camcorder. Regularly new camcorders are added to this list.

What do I need to enable DV-in on my JVC or Thomson DV-Camcorder?
You need the right cable and our software, which you get from us by e-mail. Install this software on the Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP PC which you want to use for enabling DV-in. An activation program shows you a serial number. E-mail this number to jvc@dv-in.com. After you have paid for a DV-in license (and a cable, if you have ordered one), we will send you an activation key. This key activates the dv-in software. This procedure is required only the first time you use the DV-in software.

What kind of cable do I need and where can I get it?
There are two different kinds of cables, which are, depending on the camcorder, needed to enable dv-in. Attention: i-link/firewire/ieee1394/dv or USB-cables cannot be used for dv-in enabling.

The camcorders JVC GR-DVL40, GR-DVL108, GR-DVL200, GR-DVL300, GR-DVL308, GR-DVL9200, GR-DVL9500, GR-DVL9700, GR-DVX4, GR-DVX7, GR-DVX9 and Thomson VMD2, VMD3, VMD8, VMD10, VMD120 are sold with the needed serial cable. Normally, this serial cable (9pin Sub-D for a „com“-connection at the PC to 2,5mm 3pin plug „PC“ at the camcorder) is used to transfer still-pictures to a computer.
The camcorders JVC GR-DVL20, GR-DVL30, GR-DVL100, GR-DVL140, GR-DVL150, GR-DVX44 do not come with a serial PC-cable. For these models, you need a simple PC-cable. JVC is selling a PC-kit with this PC-cable. You can buy the cable from us at a price of 10,-EUR (15,-EUR incl. shipping in the EU).
The new camcorders JVC GR-DVL355, GR-DVL555, GR-DVX77 and GR-DV1800 are a little bit special. They do not have a normal serial PC-connection, which normally is used to enable dv-in, anymore. That is why we developed a special serial EDIT-IN-cable, which works via the „Edit“-connection of the camcorder. This EDIT-IN cable costs 50,-EUR extra.

How can I order the DV-in software?
- By e-mail: jvc@dv-in.com.
- In writing, by fax or phone.

How can I pay for the software?
- You can transfer the money to our bank account.
- You send us an euro cheque.
- You pay with your credit card (EuroCard, MasterCard, Visa). Because of security reasons, Please, don't e-mail us your credit card information. Send your name, the credit card organisation, credit card number and expiration date ("valid to") in writing, by fax or phone.

How complicated is DV-in enabling with the DV-software for JVC?
It is easy:
1. Start the program, power on your camcorder (in "Play" Mode) and connect it using the needed cable
2. Select the camcorder you want to enable in a list. Check your selection. Click on Identify. The program then will tell you the current state of your DV-in feature.
3. Press the "Enable DVin" (or "Disable DVin") button, according to what you want to do. Wait until the software has finished (takes about 30 seconds). Power off your camcorder and disconnect the power supply completely, wait for about 1 hour and power on it again. Now your camcorder is DV-in enabled.
After each change you should save the dvinlog.txt file, which is generated automatically by the software. In case your hard disk crashes we will ask you to mail us this file to get a new activation key.

How many camcorders can be enabled with the DV-in software?
You can enable all camcorders mentioned above, but only one at a time. E.g. if you have enabled a GR-DVL20, in the next step you only can disable the GR-DVL20. After this you are free to enable any other camcorder from the list, and so on ...
If you have 2 camcorders and need both enabled at the same time, you have the option to buy a second DV-in license for 37,-EUR.
If you are a reseller of video equipment and want to offer a DVin service for your costumers, please contact us for our dealer/reseller program.

Do I have to enable DV-in whenever I want to record a digital video?
No. Your camcorder "remembers" that DVin has been enabled, even when you turn it off or remove the battery.

Do I always have to disable DV-in, if I want to record "normal" in camera mode or if I want DV-out?
No. Enabling the DV-in does give you an additional feature. You can record a DV-signal through the Firewire (DV-out) connector in the play mode without loosing the possibility to transfer DV from your camcorder to your computer (this connection is bi-directional). There are no changes to camera mode.

Can I disable DV-in later?
Yes. The software disables the DVin as easy as enabling it.

Is it possible to record analogue video ?
No. only SONY D8 camcorders support this.

What are the system requirements to use the DV-in software?
You need a PC with a 486 or faster processor and a serial port running Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. It will not work on emulators (MAC, LINUX, ...) or Apple Computers. But you can work with your camcorder on a Mac after using a pc for dv-in enabling.

How do I record DV?
To record DV via firewire, turn on the camcorder in play mode, to record through the lens turn it on in camera mode. Your DV camcorder has a record/stop button (and also IR remote) for recording in both modes. If you are working with a DV-PC-Card, this card will control the camcorder.

Which DV-PC-cards are compatible with my JVC camcorder?
Not all DV-PC-cards support the DV-in enabled JVC/Thomson DV-camcorders (yet). Mainly it is a driver problem.
We know that there are no problems with canopus editing-cards, they even work with older JVC DV devices.
E.g. Pinnacle Studio DV (and other 1394-cards) seems to work without problems with the newer JVC camcorders. Apple Macintosh computer normaly work with newer JVC camcorders after setting the reaction-time from 5 to 20sec and using the latest drivers, but even then there are sometimes problems. The Pinnacle DV500 doesn't support all functions with newer JVC devices, but it's at least possible to record back on tape. We will test more cards in the future and wait for updated drivers. Generally can be said, that the newer JVC camcorder are not very incompatible and will work with many DV-PC-cards. But: better ask the manufacture first.
Attention: The canopus DV Raptor and also Fast old DV.now cards use the DV codec in the camcorder to display analogue video on the PC-Monitor. But nearly all JVC/Thomson camcorder (except for the JVC GR-DVL9500) don't output analogue video when fed a DV stream on the DVconnector (you only can watch it on the LCD screen/viewfinder). The DV Raptor and the DV.now can be switched in the latest software versions to a software codec picture, than it will work.

More Questions?
Send us an e-mail: jvc@dv-in.com

Disclaimer: Modifying your camcorder by using the adjust mode might invalidate any guarantees the camcorder manufacturer has given to you. It also might deem the CE marking invalid. All changes you make to your camcorder, you do at your own risk and responsibility. We are in no way to be held liable for any problems, loss of guarantee or violation of regulations arising out of modifying your camcorder. But if you have problems with the dv-in software, we will surely help you.

Contact:
magic multi media
Endlhauserstr. 2
D-82064 Strasslach (near Munich)
Germany

Tel international: +49 8170 9252-01
freecall Germany: 0800 388 433 6
freecall Germany: 0800 DV VIDEO
Tel Germany: 08170 9252-01

Fax international: +49 8170 9252-02
Fax Germany: 08170 9252-02

Order and service e-mail: jvc@dv-in.com

Prices:

DOWNLOADVERSION
DV-in Software for JVC/Thomson DV-camcorder, download version 1.7                               65,-EUR
DV-in Software for JVC/Thomson DV-camcorder, download version 1.7 with PC-cable               80,-EUR
incl. shipping for the cable inside the EU
DV-in Software for JVC/Thomson DV-camcorder, download version 1.7 with EDIT-IN-cable       115,-EUR
incl. shipping for the cable inside the EU

Also available: Disk version
DV-in Software for JVC/Thomson DV-camcorder, disk version 1.7                                   75,-EUR
DV-in Software for JVC/Thomson DV-camcorder, disk version 1.7 with PC-cable                   85,-EUR
DV-in Software for JVC/Thomson DV-camcorder, disk version 1.7 with EDIT-IN-cable          122,-EUR
Disk version shipping cost: +10.-EUR. No shipping costs at an order value over 100.-EUR.

Prices incl. 16% German (MwSt./VAT) tax, sales over UID possible.

our Account:
account 539490800
Postbank Munich
BLZ 700 100 80

If you want to order, please don't forget:
Your name, country, zip-code, and date of the order

GR-DVL20, GR-DVL30, GR-DVL40, GR-DVL100, GR-DVL108, GR-DVL140, GR-DVL150, GR-DVL200, GR-DVL300, GR-DVL308, GR-DVL355, GR-DVL450, GR-DVL555, GR-DVL9200, GR-DVL9500, GR-DVL9700, GR-DVX4, GR-DVX7, GR-DVX8, GR-DVX9, GR-DVX44, GR-DVX77, GR-DV1800 are trademarks of JVC. VMD2, VMD3, VMD8, VMD10, VMD120 are trademarks of Thomson. i-link is trademark of Sony.