shot on sony dvcam wont playback on XHA1
 

We hired a cameraman to shoot video, he was using a sony broadcast camera shooting in DVCAM.... When we play it back in the canon XHA1 we loose all audio and CH 1/2 flashes, the play back seems to be in slow motion... i tried to import it into FCE and it has the same problem with audio... can one of you brilliant guys help us out. Bill Booth

DVCAM is not supported on the Canon camera. DVCAM runs the tape at a faster speed than standard mini-dv (only 40 minutes vs. 60 minutes) and uses locked audio. You'll need to find a deck or camera that can playback DVCAM format.

regards,

-gb-

Greg, thanks for the info... i thought it would be some sort of an incompatibility... is there any way to change the canon options to play at a different speed? if not will any consumer sony play it? thanks for your help Bill

The Sony A1U and Z1U will play and record in HDV, DVCAM, and DV. They are the only two cameras I know of in Sony's line that will. You can get more information from Sony's website (the A1U is on the Business site and the Z1U info is on the Broadcast site).

Scott

I think I've read that the Z7U and S27U will also support DVCAM.

Page 2 of the Sony HVR-Z7U Users Manual states

"Your camcorder is capable of recording in HDV, DVCAM, and DV formats....When recording in DVCAM format, Sony recommends that you use mini DVCAM cassettes. Your camcorder does not support the Cassette Memory function (p. 115)."

Just a minor hijack:
What's Cassette Memory function?

Bill, I haven't heard of any way to make the Canon camcorders play DVCAM, but...

DVCAM playback was/is common on lots of consumer Sony cameras (even if they don't actually record in DVCAM). I've recently purchased a HC9 to use as a capture deck simply because it plays back DVCAM and HDV.