Couldn't tell you. I went as cheap as possible, and I think someone recommended canon, actually. Like I said, I don't use it very often at all, so it should last a while despite a lack of mechanical quality. As for the electronics, as long as you have the firewire port, you're fine. If it plays miniDV tape as doesn't drop a lot of frames on capture, that's really all you need, I think.

So let me get this straight, any DV camcorder with a tape deck and firewire and/or composite ports can be used as a recording deck? The reason I ask is that I wanted to get a portable tape deck, but they're so expensive. So I was wondering, is their any to take out the tape deck, with the firewire/composite ports still attatched, and putting them in some kind of enclosure to make a sony GV-Dxxxx kind of device? If there is a way
The link for the homebuilt camcorder idea: http://www.c-h-a-o-s.com/2007/06/12/diy-how-to-build-a-camcorder/

I have a project coming up where I will need to capture from a bunch of tapes that are going to be givin to me.(many different brands)

I curretntly use a HV20 to capture my A1 footage but do not want run the risk of messing that workflow up by running a bunch of unknown tapes through the HV20.

So I am looking at getting a Sony DSR-11 for this project, here are my questions:

When using the DSR-11 will I get drop outs when using different tapes stock?

Do I need to run a cleaning tape when I switch brands of tape in the deck?

Is there a better suggestion for handling this task?

Thanks in advance,
Adam,

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.

Has anybody used the JVC SR-DVM600? or know anything about it.

Thanks,
Adam

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.

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?

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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 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.