Consumer miniDV Camera - Use to Reduce JVC Tape Head Wear
 

Greetings!

I have the GY-HD100 and I am looking for ways to avoid putting unnecessary milage on the tapeheads. I have heard of folks using consumer miniDV cameras for transferring footage to computers (film on GY-HD100, put tape in cheaper miniDV camera for rewinding, playing, etc.). I was considering this (I don't currently have a miniDV deck) and wanted to see if anyone has had success with this?

If so, is there a certain camera (brand/model) that you might recommend?

Are there things I should keep in mind if I go this route?

Does the camera need to support all of the resolutions/formats to be able to play footage? (for example, if I film using the JVCs HD settings, can I play that footage back on a less expensive camera for transfer to a computer?)

Should get something that is still in the JVC family if I did this?

Thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Eric Albertson

the only cams that would work are the JVC GR-HD1 and the JVC GY-HD10, both which are becoming harder and harder to find. The CU-VH1US portable deck will also work with playback, but that item was discontinued some time ago. HDV material on some D-VHS player models would transfer over through firewire also.

Thanks so much!

I have a cheap JVC mini-dv camera that I use to rewind and playback DV footage. It reads both progressive and interlaced, 4x3 and 16X9 but no HDV. Another way is to use a hard drive.