How to get instant playback of scene?
 

I am trying to figure out the best way to get instant playback. Example, if you film a scene and want to check the take, before moving on. I know using a firestore drive would be ideal, but budget wont allow this right now. We use Canon xha1s's, using dv tape. Is there any way to achieve this while using tape? Other than rewinding tape and so fourth.

with that budget your best bet is to rewind the tape itself, OR another tape, like a backup firewire device , which can be some other (cheaper) camera that will take the output from that and record a second tape.

1) you want to insure the scene is solid so you can move foreward, but you have no backup now (right?) so dont you also need to see if the data recorded properly on the tape? at the same time.

2) if you Had another device tape or chip, you still wouldnt want your main device to stay head Spun-Up shredding one spot on your main tape while you check on the other device.
this of course having ramifications all over the place, of leaving the tape Paused tearing up the one spot on the tape, or FFW and RRW the tape or unloading the tape, putting that type of wear on the tape.

you want a buffer of some sort, so you can check what was shot, but all the buffer items cost at least as much as the item your avoiding which could be a full backup device.
so that leaves a cheaper device that will do backup, like some old camera that someone is selling that will take that input, and record it on something. then you have a backup and viewing device, and also are less likly to have "re-rack" (set it back for recording) problems.

then see points #1 & #2 still :-)

used firestores sell for very little, keep an eye open.