Playback of GL2 Tapes

[Robert Bunker]

I have 30 hours worth of footage shot on a Canon GL2 using Sony tape. I've had to have the camera repaired three times in the last six months so I'm considering buying a Sony camera as a replacement. I know from reading other posts that playing back Canon tapes on a Sony will not work reliably so I'm wondering what my options are. Obviously, I could buy a deck of some sort but that's a little pricey for my situation. Is there another option I'm missing?

Thanks for any advice.

[John Gayman]

If you used Sony tapes on the GL2 and are now looking at purchasing a Sony camera, that will mean using the Sony tapes in a Sony camera. What's the problem?

[Ben Winter]

I have hours of footage shot on a GL2 recaptured using my Sony FX1, some on TDK tapes, others on Sony tapes and still others on JVC tapes. I've had no problem with it.

[Robert Bunker]

The (potential) problem was as I noted in the first post. Others have commented that they'd had trouble playing back GL2 footage on a Sony not because of mechanical incompatibility but because there is some difference in the frames-per-second speed between the two. If, as you say, Ben Winter, you've played back GL2 footage using a Sony without a problem, then I'll try that first.

Thanks for your help.

[Greg Laves]

A local editor had several HDV tapes shot on a Canon. They rented my V1U to use for playback but for some reason, it wouldn't work. I wasn't there so I can't address the issues.

[Mike Barber]

Originally Posted by Robert Bunker

I know from reading other posts that playing back Canon tapes on a Sony will not work reliably so I'm wondering what my options are.

You shouldn't have any issues, since GL2 is a miniDV camera. miniDV is miniDV. You may be confusing some compatibility issues between the two when HDV and differing framerates are involved, but not with miniDV.