Clone Mini DV Tape and Preserve Time code

[Pete Wilie]

How can I clone a Mini DV tape and preserve the time code on the original tape?

I tried cloning from a GL2 to a JVC deck, but the JVC started a new time code. Is it because I started the tape in the GL2 at a position other than the very beginning?


TIA.

Pete

[Brandon Greenlee]

You are using firewire to clone it right?

[Pete Wilie]

Yes, I'm using Firewire.

[Rob Lohman]

I'm pretty sure the camera is starting a new timecode since the
tape is blank (target tape). This is just how consumer camera's
work. I'd give you a better change if you buy or rent a DV Deck
to dub too (I'd guess it would have the option to use the incoming
TC or generate a new one).

[Ken Freed JVC]

To make a timecode copy of a DV tape coming in over 1394 actually takes two TC "capabilities". The later BR-DV600UA decks and the current BR-DV3000U and BR-DV6000U can be set to TC DUP mode and they will record the timecode as it comes in over 1394.

This is a bit of an uncommon feature. Some people wanted it so we did build it in. Most decks don't do this.

I personnally wouldn't use the word clone since there is in fact a DV error rate that is always present on record and on playback. There could be a hundred errors per second but you wouldn't see them. But they do add up as you record, then play and record, and then play the copy.

[Chris Hurd]

Many thanks, Ken. Nice to see you posting here!

[Pete Wilie]

<<<-- Originally posted by Ken Freed JVC :
<snip>
I personnally wouldn't use the word clone since there is in fact a DV error rate that is always present on record and on playback. There could be a hundred errors per second but you wouldn't see them. But they do add up as you record, then play and record, and then play the copy.
</snip> -->>>

Ken,

Thanks for the info. Interesting comment about using the word "clone".

I was taught that one of the features of DV is that since everything was digital, there were no losses in making a copy of a copy of a ... So, I was taught that the word "clone" was more accurate than "copy".

So if I understand you correctly, if I make a copy of a DV tape to another DV tape, the second tape may NOT be an exact digital copy, but may be degraded to some degree? Does the degradation occur only during the record process, or can it occur in the playback process as well?

Do I assume correctly that once the DV tape is captured to hard disk, the disk file (or parts thereof) may be copied and re-copied any number of times without any loss?

Thanks for your help on this.

[Rob Lohman]

A digital file on a computer and harddisk will copy 100% as the
original. Otherwise your Windows would not boot for example.

The idea with tape is that it can be a bit un-reliable to read back,
that's why there is error correction in the DV stream already.

The specifics I leave to Ken since I do not have access to his
extensive knowledgebase <g>