At times I find I'm forced to use LP rather than change tapes. Current recording is via Pana DV852.

i) Can any mini-dv camera play back (allow capture) of those tapes? The camera manual notes that "tape recorded at LP may not be played back on other cameras".
ii) If the tapes recorded in LP are captured much later - (months, years), is there likely to be a problem? It seems there is less margin for error.

Obviously changing tape is best, but it is not always an option. But between
i) 80 min tape at SP- only PQ and SQ are available in this lenght not AMQ
ii) 63 min tape at LP

which is the least bad option?

The least bad option is to use an 80 minute tape, in my opinion.

Hi Laurence,

"i) Can any mini-dv camera play back (allow capture) of those tapes? The camera manual notes that "tape recorded at LP may not be played back on other cameras".
ii) If the tapes recorded in LP are captured much later - (months, years), is there likely to be a problem? It seems there is less margin for error."

If you're lucky, you may be able to capture from another Cam, or from the same Cam you did the original recording on. But, don't bet on it. Between the spec differences between Cams and the Heads waring over time, it get's more unlikely over time. If you do use the slower speed, then do your capture ASAP.

Like Bill says, using the longer tapes is the best option, if you can't record to some other medium - like a computer.

I use the 80 min tapes when time is an issue, and have had good luck with them. Some folks have reported not having such luck with the longer tapes. ?????

Harold