Drum hours vs. Real Hours
 

What's the real wear and tear on a machine with only 5 drum hours? Is that a real time measurement, as in the machine's been used 5 real hours, or on powered on that long, or had tape spinning over it for 5 hours...?

Thanks

drum hours = tape on the spinning heads. the fan hours = running hours, at least in camera mode. fan probably doesn't run in VTR mode.

And the head hours, where the tape's on the drum, is what we really care about, eh? (for the most general of consideration)...

Yep, generally drum hours is the most important as the drum is the most expensive component in the camera.

Liam.

What if a camcorder is advertised with "only 00019 hours on the heads"? Does this mean 19x10, or 190 hours? It's a Panasonic.

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread.

Er, it means 19 hours on the heads. As in the heads have had 19 hours of use. As in they've recorded 19 hours of tape.

Thanks, Liam. You're a pal.

Would anyone else happen to know if 00019 hours is not 190 on a Panasonic DVX100a? Being relatively new to camcorders, I have seen hours listed as being x10 and don't know if this is an industry standard or convention. 19 hours just seemed awfully low for this particular camcorder.

Nelson,
Sorry for the sarcasm, I can't help myself. I think it's a genetic defect.

With the JVC HD*** series drum hours does indeed mean exactly that. Can't speak for the DVX100, you'll have to ask that on the panasonic forum.

ATB,

Liam.

No, pile on. That's a great question. I'm going on the word of the tech with this "bstock" HD250 I'm getting this week... =D ...who says "5 drum hours". I've seen the same 0's and wondered the same thing...I would bet, without looking up the manual online, that it's 19 hours.