Hey everybody!
A producer I was talking to mentionned he would like to rent a Sony DSR570 for an upcoming short film. Since it shoots in the DVCAM format, would I still be able to use the tapes in my ZR40 to transfer them onto my PC (I don't know if the DSR570 uses tapes of the same size or not), or would I have to have the DSR with me to use it to transfer the video to my PC? I'm pretty sure it won't work, but I'm asking because I'm not 100% sure.

And after that... Is there any difference in editing once it's on the PC? Any difference in file sizes or anything?

There is no difference in the editing of DVCAM material on the PC. the main advantages in DVCAM is its frameaccuracy. The actual video content is still processed in the "normal" DV codec. And i think DVCAM tapes play back in normal DV players, though i am pretty sure you do not get the advantages of DVCAM that way. Best course is obviously to rent (or if you are rich, buy) a DVCAM compliant tapedeck.

Also remember that there are two tapesizes in the DVCAM format, mini and the standard variant. The mini should play back in any mini-DV tapedeck/camera, wheras the standard will not.

Check http://www.sonyusadvcam.com/ for more info.

"Since it shoots in the DVCAM format, would I still be able to use the tapes in my ZR40 to transfer them onto my PC"

Are you referring to a Canon ZR40? If so nothing that you could record on a DSR570 will play in it.

The DSR570 will play DV or DVCAM, but only records in DVCAM. It can record on a mini or full sized cassette. The mini cassette will record for 40 minutes while the full size records for 184.

It might be possible to record from the DSR570 to the ZR40 over firewire or you might want to look into renting a DVCAM deck. You could also capture the footage directly from the DSR570 to your computer over firewire.

From an editing point of view DV and DVCAM are about the same to your computer. The only challenge is getting the data to the machine.

Rick

I concur---consider the Sony DSR-11 as a relatively inexpensive way of getting your DV Cam tapes edited-----