MiniDV Tapes in the PD170 at DVinfo.net

November 26th, 2005, 06:31 PM

Hi there - I've read on brochures and in the PD170 manual that "if you record in the DV format, the transition of the tape may not be smooth. We recommend that you use mini DVCAM cassettes and set rec mode to DVCAM to obtain reliable clear pictures."

Does this mean if I use standard MiniDV tapes and record just as I've been used to with my VX2000 - then capture and edit in Premiere, my footage and scene trans will be glitchy? Or is this just waffle in the manual that isn't technically correct?

Mike Rehmus · November 26th, 2005, 06:37 PM

Absolutely not correct. It is Sony's attempt to sell the more expensive DVCam tapes.

I backed a Sony rep into a corner at NAB and he finally agreed that DV works just as well as DVCam in a NLE environment.

DVCam was made for a linear editing environment as is used in most of the remote video news vans. If you aren't slamming the tape back and forth and reusing it a lot, you don't need DVCam.

There is no picture quality difference between DV and DVCam when everything is nominal. It is exactly the same digital data stream.

Boyd Ostroff · November 26th, 2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBadFun

"if you record in the DV format, the transition of the tape may not be smooth."

This *might* be an awkward way of saying that the transition may not be smooth if you record DVCAM on a tape, then switch to DV SP mode on the same tape....

Dean Sensui · November 27th, 2005, 03:45 AM

We're using Sony DVM60 ME tapes in a PD170 and PD150. About 400 to 500 tapes per year. The only problems that ever cropped up was when the PD150's heads were out of alignment.

Other than that, no problems. And everything is shot as DVCam.

Pat Sherman · November 28th, 2005, 11:22 AM

One thing is for sure.. Never reuse a tape recorded in DVCAM and record over it with DV...:)

Mike Rehmus · November 28th, 2005, 12:34 PM

OH Boy! Yes! Don't ever do that one!

Tom Hardwick · November 28th, 2005, 12:35 PM

Why not, guys? Do you feel the erase is different in each recording mode?

Mike Rehmus · November 28th, 2005, 12:45 PM

It isn't an academic 'feel,' it's because we've tried it and the results are no useable video.

Trust us on this one and don't go there.

November 26th, 2005, 06:31 PM	#1
BigBadFun Posts: n/a	MiniDV Tapes in the PD170 Hi there - I've read on brochures and in the PD170 manual that "if you record in the DV format, the transition of the tape may not be smooth. We recommend that you use mini DVCAM cassettes and set rec mode to DVCAM to obtain reliable clear pictures." Does this mean if I use standard MiniDV tapes and record just as I've been used to with my VX2000 - then capture and edit in Premiere, my footage and scene trans will be glitchy? Or is this just waffle in the manual that isn't technically correct?

November 26th, 2005, 06:37 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Absolutely not correct. It is Sony's attempt to sell the more expensive DVCam tapes. I backed a Sony rep into a corner at NAB and he finally agreed that DV works just as well as DVCam in a NLE environment. DVCam was made for a linear editing environment as is used in most of the remote video news vans. If you aren't slamming the tape back and forth and reusing it a lot, you don't need DVCam. There is no picture quality difference between DV and DVCam when everything is nominal. It is exactly the same digital data stream. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 27th, 2005, 03:45 AM	#4
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	We're using Sony DVM60 ME tapes in a PD170 and PD150. About 400 to 500 tapes per year. The only problems that ever cropped up was when the PD150's heads were out of alignment. Other than that, no problems. And everything is shot as DVCam. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

November 28th, 2005, 12:34 PM	#6
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	OH Boy! Yes! Don't ever do that one! __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 28th, 2005, 12:45 PM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	It isn't an academic 'feel,' it's because we've tried it and the results are no useable video. Trust us on this one and don't go there. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 28th, 2005, 11:22 AM	#5
Pat Sherman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DuPont, Wa Posts: 325	One thing is for sure.. Never reuse a tape recorded in DVCAM and record over it with DV...:)

November 28th, 2005, 12:35 PM	#7
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Why not, guys? Do you feel the erase is different in each recording mode?