Tapeless GL2 / VX1000 SD Card DVR Hack

How to convert your miniDV camcorder to record directly on to micro SD cards for less than £20!
CHECK OUT PART 2 HERE - NO SOLDERING REQUIRED: • Tapeless MiniDV Camcor...
ProDVR manual - img.staticbg.c...
STL - Needs work, maybe scale it up by 1-2%
drive.google.c...
Shopping(affiliate links):
US-
Eachine ProDVR - amzn.to/2IKHzzu (usually cheaper on banggood)
RCA extension - amzn.to/31opWMq
AV cable for GL2/XM2 - amzn.to/3mdotR9
AV cable for VX1000 - amzn.to/37kDAUD
RCA2HDMI - amzn.to/37xBHUL
Tascam DR05 - amzn.to/2HcWJNt
3.5mm to Phono - amzn.to/2HcoJAR
Ender 3 - amzn.to/3m1uxMc
My soldering station - amzn.to/2IKH8oQ
UK -
Eachine ProDVR - amzn.to/2PkfbEy (usually cheaper on banggood)
RCA extension - amzn.to/2T8gFDf
AV cable for GL2/XM2 - amzn.to/2PnIfvc
AV cable for VX1000 - amzn.to/382Q1RE
RCA2HDMI - amzn.to/3c3kWQO
Tascam DR05 - amzn.to/2T1iT8w
3.5mm to Phono - amzn.to/32vM3j3
Ender 3 - amzn.to/32xnjY5
My soldering station - amzn.to/2TampMF

[@xLicksquids]

you're a genius man, setup a online store i'm sure there will be a lot of demand of these

[@bnjmae]

I will buy one if you make it... Great idea, I used the MX 2 for 8 years doing 100's of weddings and events.

[@whocanam4753]

Well... just a nice DIY hobby time. To hook up AV signal recorder to AV out...maybe it's just anyone who can solder 2 wires is genius compared to you (deal with it). Its AV signal DSC and the worst/ cheapest available. And it absolutely not the same. Thumbs up for author, no doubt!

[@oetproductions8101]

@@bnjmae I would also buy it

[@Mr_Consultant]

Mind blowing man. I'm searching for this video for almost 2 months. You are a real genius.

[@JoeGCards]

About time Sony remake the camera without tapes

[@otopico]

Such a good idea to get the look of old HD cam video, but bring the rest of the hardware into the present day. It's great to see older hardware get some love.

[@MatthewKanwisher]

KZbin randomly suggested this, super cool find. I never watched skate videos but do remember these old cameras

[@JoinTheDots]

Please start a crowdfunding page for these! would be amazing if you could use VX1000 mic / stereo audio, as this is a key draw of that camera. I still buy new tapes and upload on capture camera, for almost 20 years now

[@RyanKarolak]

Cool project. I have a GL1 and something like this may be fun to try and make it a little more convenient to use in 2021.

[@WOSKA.]

did you did somrthing?

[@zabsin480p]

Bought an XM2 yesterday and now found this sick mod what a time to be alive, sick work my guy 8)

[@norberth3778]

May I ask why people buy them Canon xm2 cameras in 2020? I am asking as there is four of them for sale near me for like 50$ each.

[@jafinch78]

Nice job man, excellent detail regarding. Thanks for sharing! I picked up a Eachine EV100 DVR a few years back to try to do something similar though more for a dash cam... I think... I actually forget... might of just been one of those impulse buys for a dirigible/drone project I was planning to do at one time also and I picked up when I purchased the related gear. Looks like the Eachine ProDVR is better quality and even more cost effective. Thanks again!

[@jafinch78]

Interesting, just reviewed the specs (not the firmware though) and depending on the source pricing, price looks better for the Pro in the States... though from Eachine the EV100 is listed a few dollars cheaper. EV100 DVR - www.eachine.com/Eachine-EV100-Micro-AV-Recorder-1280+480-Mini-DVR-Support-32G-TF-For-Goggles-p-1026.html Pro DVR - www.eachine.com/Eachine-ProDVR-Pro-DVR-Mini-Video-Audio-Recorder-for-FPV-Multicopters-p-392.html Hackaday Article regarding this vid - hackaday.com/2020/03/07/that-retro-video-look-without-the-tapes/

[@ChonseeTV]

You need to sell these go Ebay and give EBay or store link in the description.

[@florubenberger]

this ist what broadcast yourself was meant to be! Awesome video. I`m sure a lot of mini-DV-user will get great use out of this video. Cheers

[@photojunkysdronezonevlog]

You can also buy a clear click 2.0 video recorder and monitor, and connect it to the output of the camera to the input of the clear click, and press record. It will record directly onto an SD card. You can get a clear click used for about a hundred bucks.

[@svenkraker]

I am so gonna try this out with my xl2, dope vid dude!

[@POrwig]

This is impressive to say the least. If you can manage to do the exact same thing with the Firewire port on the back of the camera to SD card, the recording will be in even better quality. As I understand this the MiniDV tapes record the same quality as the Firewire transfer does to PC then the composite which are the Yellow, White and Red and slightly compressed. My brother has a Canon GL1 with a firewire port. I came here to see if you actually managed to get this to work with firewire port, but as I have heard on other forums; firewire only transfer data from MiniDV to PC.

[@LUCKIPUP]

someone can probably program a arduino/raspberry pi to do this feat and itd be smaller and probably better

[@jiroscia]

@@LUCKIPUP This is part of the project I'm working on right now. I have an FX7 with a removed tape transport which I'm converting to tapeless with an RPi.

[@LUCKIPUP]

@@jiroscia sickass foo, i can’t wait to see what comes along, the thought of old cameras getting a chance at a new lease on life with modern updated tools like this brings a smile to my heart

[@johanneswahl5092]

Does this downgrade quality?

[@AHappyMediumSkateboarding]

How can I contact you about making one of these for me?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Yo, I love your vids man! My email is in the about section of my channel, happy to chat!

[@g.garcia106]

There could be a collab here!

[@VXFILES]

We got the power ¡¡ Awesome work dudes

[@joesonx]

@@NEONAIRSHIP did this happen? :)

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Afraid not but check out part 2 if you've not already, much better solution :)

[@MarcDupuis50400]

"PAL if you're in the UK, NTSC if you're in the US", you know there are a couple other countries too mate ? 😂 A friend just sent me your vid as I was thinking about doing exactly the same, for the same reasons (lurking over these cameras for skate when I was 15, got an XL1 for cheap recently at the flea market, figured there's got to be a way to bypass DV 😄). Great stuff, looking forward to try that out. Thanks for the tutorial !

[@sergeantcrow]

I wonder if the analogue signals we can tap into on DVCams is before digital conversion on way to the tape ?

[@Byteman3D]

Very nice hack indeed. Congrats!! :) I do have a VX2000 DV Camera. I'm so sad that these high tech designs become trash in this very short time period. I'm here after a Google search on how can I revive this monster. I'm considering replacing my VX2000 sensor system with some 4K camera sensor, making use of the VX 2000's optical system.

[@1bonetardigrade]

trying to figure this out for a year, only solution=$500-700. you are smarty! works on my VX2000, canon optura 50, even a Lumix lx,thanks

[@hermannpaschulke1583]

Came from Hackaday, great project!

[@leander2281]

Hey man, cool video! I have one question about this device. I know it records mono audio but is the mono audio good quality?

[@OrdinarySimonTheJoe]

I know that the gl2 has a Dv port but doesn’t the Vx1000 have one as well?

[@alexcollateral927]

finallyyy ive got a couple VXs with messed up heads, now they are usable (:

[@ucf83]

have you done this yet? I need some help

[@alexcollateral927]

@@ucf83 i have started the process, done all the saudering to make it work internally but i broke the mini dv and im currently waiting on a new part /: im planning on making a video of it tho

[@multraslan19o5]

will this work with a sony TRV900e

[@emilzetblu]

Hello sir, is it still possible to connect the GL2 to an android TV, thank you..

[@eladbari]

Any compact solution to this in 2024? (less ghetto, so you can attach it to the camcorder firmly?)

[@garthmccarthy4911]

i CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE Eachine ProDVR in the listed links. any ideas where I cab get one?

[@fynnlienhard7864]

Thank you for that video. I’ve done all as in the video but only sound turns out on the sd card, so the recordet video is all black, you know what to do?

[@sergeantcrow]

Another little work around for those with a fantastic DV or DVCAM tape camera where the deck is not great or not working... Find a cheap Handy Cam with DV in.. Awkward but works.. Firewire out from best cam to little DV cam.

[@thewildbuckstudio2411]

Would you be interested in building one ready for plug in? I would definitely be interested in buying one

[@ankrpress7095]

Me too! I’d like to buy one of these.

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Check out part 2, there's an easier way :)

[@Olivjeefilms]

it only records sound with alot of noise i have a mini fpv dvr

[@popthatbeep]

This is such a great modification but bro, you messed up THE HANDLE. It's the mighty VX1000 handle dude

[@skatefood]

this is great! i might have to look into doing this since mini dv tapes are so expensive now and the heads in my vx keep failing. How is the audio directly through the dvr though? because vx1000 mics are kinda legendary the sound is part of the whole thing so I wouldnt really want to use external mics

[@nxblae]

would you be able to do the same with a eachine ev100?

[@tunkunrunk]

Eachine ProDVR is hard to find , sold out on every websites I went

[@younggeordie2687]

Does this work on the canon xm2

[@bensoumokil]

That’s sick! Thank you!

[@felicitasrivero9717]

What is the SD card slot for?

[@justinknight4256]

mate that such a sick project

[@multraslan19o5]

will this work on a sony fx7?

[@DavidBrown-ez5jc]

Hi pal great vid can I do this hack on Canon xlr1 think it's that model

[@kaleic8271]

Does it work for vx2000

[@thisiscentralcontrol]

How would recording in HD look any better than D1, which is the native resolution of the camera?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Higher bitrate since the recording adds some compression

[@NuttyBarz]

Hey man that's pretty genius. I just bought this camera for 200 not knowing you can't record on sd card. Now I don't know how to get my content to my editor across seas. Can I buy one of these boxes off of you?

[@isaacbartonskate]

this is genius my tape deck broke on my gl2 gonna try to make this so i can still use it

[@victorlefou]

Idk why it doesn't work with my eachine DVR (not pro), i get an total glitch image and sound, any idea???

[@victorlefou]

doesnt fonction for an old canon and a old sony, is it a problem of cable? or menu selection, between ntsc/pal or frame rate problem? I can monitor the signal straight from the AV out of the two cameras to a monitor and it work perfectly, butt when i try to record on the eachine dvr it's very glitchy... Thank u

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Not sure, maybe the DVR is faulty?

[@victorlefou]

@@NEONAIRSHIP i founded, it's a problem of omtp thing, even on a 2,5 minijack ill try you technic

[@plumberboi]

u got a new link for the dvr?

[@ucf83]

I need help, on part 3:34 what wires do the extension cable connectors get soldered to?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Pause it at 3:38 the image shows you where everything connects. For the ground wire (black) it doesn't matter which one as long as its also a ground wire

[@renadelpievegobbi6327]

Great Hack lovely video!

[@elijassssss]

i didn't get what the Tascam DR-05X Stereo Handheld was for. is it nessesary? because on this photo with all the connections you didn't mention it. maybe i am just stupid and didn't get it

[@elijassssss]

so this thing: www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-05X-Handheld-Recorder-Interface/dp/B07N3FC7N3/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Dr05&qid=1603105250&sr=8-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=neonairship08-20&linkId=26bc0918e8d2642bb20f4bbd4d20b4e8&language=en_US

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

I used it to record audio since the built in audio on the DVR isn't very good. But I have since discovered the PowerPlay DVR which is better in every way - check out my other videos on that

[@elijassssss]

@@NEONAIRSHIP yyess. thanks buddy

[@elijassssss]

@@NEONAIRSHIP so it isn't really nessesary right?

[@ucf83]

GENIUS

[@cbrando190]

going more og with a canon L1. Thanks for the video!

[@niniscatering1025]

A digitnow grabber is all u need... download a USB camara to tablet or phone...connect Graber to camcorder rca Jack's then connect to tablet or computer..record with USB cam app..footage saves to device...

[@dovid729]

@@niniscatering1025 bro the quality is trash

[@louiehughes4065]

great video genius idea but that hand over the screen transition at the beginning did not work dude

[@iseecolin]

Hey man, weird question: I’ve made a diy mark 1 fisheye for the vx and you 3D print, wanted to see if you had the ability to 3D print an mk1 housing for the lens elements and I could pay u obviously.

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

If youre in the UK maybe I could help, if not then probs cheaper to use a local service like shapeways or 3dhubs

[@LJWalter78]

Trying this! Well, most of it. Personally I can’t explain away going to all the trouble to design, 3-D print and install a 1 off “all in one” enclosure for the dvr, 4.7v battery pack complete with power switch and everything, to then opt for “West Virginia engineering approved zip ties” at the end…?? Whaa?? Huh?? The only explanation is that he must have been all out of the good brand of duck tape…

[@allymapigo7761]

I need buy this?

[@alejoromero]

You are missing the best output.

[@sandorcontreras5040]

Will this work on a TRV900?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Yep!

[@DE-GEN-ART]

poggers. freaking poggers my guy.

[@g.garcia106]

You are a genius

[@ShutUpAndShootMe]

This is amazing!

[@coachfrank2808]

Hey, I am working on a similar build. But instead of the eachine pro dvr, couldn't you just use a NIDICI FPV DVR with a AV Cable? I am new to this subject. Then you would get stereo audio (from the av cable) as well as video, combined in a smaller build. What do you think?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Yeah should work, I was just using what I already have. It's most likely going to be mono audio though, most of these little DVRs don't do stereo

[@coachfrank2808]

NEON AIRSHIP i bought a mini dvr with an av input and small battery. Im very exited about the outcome. Ill keep you updated 👊🏻

[@manuel.arriola]

I'm thinking about buying one of those "all in one" dv boxes to have the ultimate cheapo recording device for old cameras (dvx100 in my case, lovely cam). The model that I'm currently looking has built in screen, battery and microphone in. Screen could become handy in case the camera's own screen dies. Battery could be easily and cheaply extended with a smartphone powerbank. If the microphone-in is stereo, It would be as easy as buying a 3.5mm to 3.5mm male to male to get decent audio, as most decent camcorders have a 3.5mm jack out. No need to solder anything, and should be easier to config as there's no need to connect the device to an external screen. I'm really tempted to buy it from amazon and try it out

[@coachfrank2808]

Manuel Arriola hit it. Im working on a small dvr solution as well.keep me updated! My @ is coach__frank if u wanna hit me up G

[@manuel.arriola]

@@coachfrank2808 I read a bit more and sadly those units max out at 640x480p. My cam is pal so I'm not sure if I'm willing to gave up that extra res, it also doesn't help to read the comments of some users that report a big audio delay. Gonna keep googling, it appears that svideo is also out of the map, quality would be considerably better than composite

[@pwood5733]

Wow .. just wow

[@FilipMarysko]

How abot the 5V terminal on the side of the XM2 camera? It can probably work instead of batterry to power eachine pro dvr. Did anyone try that?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Is that an output? I thought it was an input but could be very handy if not!

[@FilipMarysko]

I can’t try it, but I think it´s an output for some external light or something else like this. Power input is just through battery/dummy batterry.

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Neat I'll have a play when I get the chance

[@FilipMarysko]

@@NEONAIRSHIP let me know. I just have to order something to record as i get “remove the cassette” error all the time. What’s the best solution? When using eachine pro dvr, is there a way how to check the footage easily, I mean without putting the sd card somewhere else? I’ll probably order immersion rc poweplay dvr. I saw something else like this at wish (AV VIDEO RECORDER), but there is no specs to it.

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Powerplay is by far the best option I have found, the eachine you need to take the sd out to view clips on another device

[@bacnic]

Genius, thank a lot man

[@whocanam4753]

Or buy any miniDV camera just for transferring and for the same money and keep 100% of original data

[@69ultimategamer420]

Awesome, would it be possible with at trv 900?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Yep!

[@pala4833]

Thank you so much.

[@goatmen7996]

i use my camera sony dcr pc110 from the year 2000

[@SPOD_ZONE]

What format does it record to? Been looking for a Prores level analog to digital capture device

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

This only does mjpg.AVI files so probably won't fit your needs. But an AV to hdmi adapter and an atomos recorder might work?

[@SPOD_ZONE]

Yeah running it to a hdmi out does open that up. Might give this a run and see how it comes out anyway, looks great! Any chance of getting that 3D print file?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

@@SPOD_ZONE No problem, I've added it to the video description. It's a bit rough and could use some tweaks but did the job.

[@n_3719]

if you can afford it, tapeless dte recorders is a great option. this is gonna be a slightly long comment so bear with me. one thing about this setup that neon made is its not the best quality since its capturing from composite. the reason why dv was named dv was because, well, digital video. the only way to get the best quality out of dv based cameras is to do a super expensive mod like the andromeda mod for the dvx100 which takes the video stream before it gets feed into the dv dsp chip and streams it via usb. doing this allowed you to get 720p video and 4:4:4 chroma subsampling out of the dvx100 but of course, it came with the cost of 6500usd for the camera + mod back then. not to mention you needed a mac mini and portable display to be able to use it out of the tripod. but of course, we cant really do that so the second best option is what i said in the first sentence: dte recorders. for example the focus enhancements firestore fs-4 which has a built in 100GB hdd and captures video directly from the dv port on the camera. or even better, the sony mrc-1k which uses compact flash cards and supports up to like 128GB cf cards. bottomline, if you can afford it, get a sony mrc-1k. absolute god tier recording option for these dv cameras. it does not record to prores but it captures the pure mpeg-2 transport stream that the camera outputs, adds zero compression and you can use it as if its just a normal dv video you captured from tape (because it is) with the benefit of having it on flash storage. one small note: you NEED a dv cassette in the camera to record with a digital recorder. on older models such as the vx1000 or 2000 it does not support tapeless recording but it still works. however, you have to simultaneously record to tape or else it refuses to record on the mrc-1k. im not sure if the firestore supports tapeless record on old cameras but the mrc-1k doesnt, at least when used with my dvx100. however, if you want analog and prores codec, you can use an atomos ninja v or equivalent and use a composite to hdmi converter. i am one year late but i hope im able to help. thanks for reading.

[@SPOD_ZONE]

@@n_3719 Worth the wait, thank you!

[@AmedeoMart]

Genius love you

[@ezpainting4697]

Sir..I am not a tech person but how I wish I live nearby you and purchase from you what you are doing! Am from Malaysia and my 14 year vx2100e spoilt and no one know how to repair it.

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Check out part 2 that I just posted, super easy version :)

[@ezpainting4697]

@@NEONAIRSHIP I am watching it. Thanks.! But first I need scout for a new dv cam....I mean from ebay or anywhere can you recommend?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Yeah ebay is the best bet 👍

[@ze2004]

its interesting but i think its an hassle and expensive to have all of that. Video Card its easier.

[@ahmetyasirsakall77]

canon gl2 has a sd cars slot ?

[@doloresberry3144]

You selling these yet??

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Check out part 2, found a better solution that's pretty much plug and play

[@hellojohnny3216]

holy this is crazy can i buy this??

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Not at the minute but I'm working on a new version that I'd be more comfortable selling - with a better codec and 60fps!

[@dstile]

@@NEONAIRSHIP this is sickk, nice work. just what i need. any chance youve gotten around to figuring out this new version for sale yet?

[@NEONAIRSHIP]

Hey, not yet but I'm working on it. Should have a new video uploaded about this project in a few weeks

[@dstile]

@@NEONAIRSHIP wordd, lookin foward to it mate

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Awesome. Everyone hug me. We found a new place. Bring it in. BTW if you do a lot of soldering I highly recommend the quad hands. You can see it in my latest vid.

[@TrillMurray]

Wait what

[@k.m.1524]

Please don't use analog composite for recording PLEASE you reduce the quality !!! Alternative Sony HVR-MRC ...

[@nickholtz8654]

I would pay you to make this

[@seveleleventwelve]

✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻

[@abandonedspirit0202]

sell me this!!! 😩😩😩😩

[@tonivoul1971]

Just take my money