The Gigantic Mini DV Deck / Camcorder as Deck Thread

[Gabe Strong]

Originally Posted by Ethan Cooper

The dsr-11's I've used were freakin workhorses and we couldn't break them if we tried. Just use some common sense. If your brain is telling you to run a cleaning tape, then just do it, it'll take a whole minute of your life but if it makes you feel better then go ahead.
As a side note, was that the golden age of Sony prosumer electronics? The pd150's and dsr-11's just worked dang it. They were well built and lasted forever. At least the ones I worked with anyway. Now stuff just seems cheaper. Sorry to get sidetracked.

Ethan,

You are SPOT ON. I have a PD-150 and a DSR-11 deck. Bought them both 5 years ago....both still work like they are brand new. They are both absolute WORKHORSES and I still use them both all the time. Shot a 2 hour meeting last night for the PBS station with my PD-150 and am working on capturing it now with my DSR-11. They still get a ton of use and I haven't had a SINGLE problem with either one of them. I sure do wish all the new gear was made like this.

[Vaughan Greer]

Originally Posted by Ervin Farkas

Professional videographers never use their expensive camera to play back or capture the footage. If money is not an issue but reliability is, then a deck is used. If money is an issue, than a cheap camcorder can be used to capture tapes.

As long as this camcorder works as expected (no dropped frames, no tape messed up mechanically), then there is no difference - capturing video from a miniDV tape is nothing more than file transfer. But of course, if you have to transfer a tape filmed in HDV, you will need an HDV deck or camcorder.

We have a Canon XH A1 that we use primarily. If we wanted to shoot HDV could we buy a Canon HV 30 and use that to dump the video to computer?

[Colin McDonald]

Originally Posted by Vaughan Greer

If we wanted to shoot HDV could we buy a Canon HV 30 and use that to dump the video to computer?

I've even heard that some folks use one to take video with when its not being used as a deck - fancy that!

[Duncan Craig]

Originally Posted by Vaughan Greer

We have a Canon XH A1 that we use primarily. If we wanted to shoot HDV could we buy a Canon HV 30 and use that to dump the video to computer?

Yes, for sure, if you are shooting 1080i.
I don't know if the HV20/30 understands Canons other 24p footage format.

[Nevin Styre]

yes you can use it to capture progressive formats, I just captured some footage on my hv30 that was recorded on an A1 as 24p, it is captured as the hdv1080 24p format.

[Barry Rivadue]

After seven years of almost 24/7 brutal use my steadfast DV200 is acting up. Every time I do capturing now the results are that the audio sounds tinny and the video stutters and breaks. When using a camcorder, with the same cable, the problem disappears so I'm sure it's the DV2000. I tried cleaning its heads but it doesn't improve matters. What could be ailing it, and is it terminal?

[J. Stephen McDonald]

Originally Posted by Barry Rivadue

After seven years of almost 24/7 brutal use my steadfast DV200 is acting up. Every time I do capturing now the results are that the audio sounds tinny and the video stutters and breaks. When using a camcorder, with the same cable, the problem disappears so I'm sure it's the DV2000. I tried cleaning its heads but it doesn't improve matters. What could be ailing it, and is it terminal?

After 7 years of steady, brutal use, as you describe it, this VCR should be bronzed and placed on a pedestal of honor. It's amazing it would last so long. The heads and also the tape-transport mechanism are probably worn down. It might be just a matter of having the tape alignment system re-adjusted by a qualified repair shop or it could require a new head assembly or more.

[Barry Rivadue]

Thanks for your thoughts. I guess I really gave this "industrial strength" VCR a good run over the years, and it was superb in every way. I'll see what I'll do next.

[Chris Hurd]

The money put into a service call will most likely pay for itself over the course of this deck's remaining natural life.

[Barry Rivadue]

Thanks--until I go completely tapeless this has been a jewel of a deck.

[Caleb Royer]

What is the best quality tape to get for the XL2?

Does the brand have to be Canon, or can I use Sony, JVC or some other brand?

Thanks,

CJ

[Ervin Farkas]

I always used Sony or TDK in my camcorders; two weeks ago all I got in stock was Panasonic... sure enough, yesterday when I tried to rewind for capturing, it gave me an error while the mechanism made a funny noise.

I gave it a second try and it all worked fine in the end but I"ll never ever buy Pana again.

Yes, you can use any brand; make sure you buy from a reputable seller to avoid counterfait stuff. I always buy my tapes at Costco, they carry the two brands mentioned at the beginning - over 100 tapes and not one defective yet.

[Jarred Capellman]

Originally Posted by Ervin Farkas

I always used Sony or TDK in my camcorders; two weeks ago all I got in stock was Panasonic... sure enough, yesterday when I tried to rewind for capturing, it gave me an error while the mechanism made a funny noise.

I gave it a second try and it all worked fine in the end but I"ll never ever buy Pana again.

Yes, you can use any brand; make sure you buy from a reputable seller to avoid counterfait stuff. I always buy my tapes at Costco, they carry the two brands mentioned at the beginning - over 100 tapes and not one defective yet.

I second that, Costco has the Sony tapes for dirt cheap in a 10 pack, I've used over 30 and never had any problems.