Enabling Firewire Input on the Sony DSR-30
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For those of you who have tried to take the Firewire output from a Sony VX-1000, Sony DHR-1000 editing deck or any other DV format unit, and feed it into the Sony DSR-30 (a DVCAM deck) have found out it doesn’t work. You see, DV has unlocked audio and DVCAM has locked audio and the Sony DSR30 VCR won’t take the unlocked audio.

Solution: The Sony DSR-30 can be put into a mode that will allow it to record unlocked audio. Here is how you do it. Power off the the Sony DSR-30 VTR, then hold down both the REC and PAUSE buttons while powering up the Sony DSR-30. You will hear a long beep. Now the Sony DSR-30 is able to be fed with an unlocked audio signal.

2nd Tip: This deck is best used as a feeder and/or record deck for a non-linear editing system. I wouldn’t recommend it as a linear editing deck because of the slow response time through the LANC port. If you add the Sony IF-FXE 2 (IF-BOX"), you get RS-422 control. However, it has even a slower response time than the LANC port. The IF-FXE box is great for batch digitizing. You can set it up and walk away while you're digitizing.

Note: The DSR 60/80 series decks have a much faster response time.

3rd Tip: Frame Accuracy. I have found the DSR30 gives me about + or - 2 frames accuracy with my NLE system. Others have reported + or - 5 frames accuracy when editing via the LANC port. If you must have frame accuracy go with the DSR-60/80 series.

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