XHA1 playback stutter on old DV tapes at DVinfo.net

Jarrod Tully · April 3rd, 2009, 12:27 AM

Hey folks.

I tried doing a search but couldn't find a definitive answer on this one. I've used my XHA1 for shooting in HDV and in SD without any problems. However, I trying to use it to capture some footage I shot a few years back on the Sony DSR-250. It's just standard DV-footage - no wacky frame rates or anything. But when playing back these tapes (I've tried several) on the XHA1, the footage is all stuttery. (On the actual viewfinder.) Same thing when I capture in Final Cut. It will capture for a couple of seconds and then tell me there's a timecode break. (Which there isn't.) The couple of seconds of footage plays back in Final Cut with the audio and video having a stutter.

I thought DV footage was DV footage but does the XHA1 have problems playing back mini-DV tapes shot on other cameras? I no longer have the original camera the footage was shot on so I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. Thanks for any insight.

Jarrod

Just a follow up, is it possible to record DVCAM format on a mini-DV tape? I always thought DVCAM was only recorded on the larger tapes but maybe I recorded in DVCAM mode on the mini-DV tape?

Bill Busby · April 3rd, 2009, 12:39 AM

It's possible it may have been shot in DVCAM, not DV?

Tom Hardwick · April 3rd, 2009, 12:41 AM

I'm pretty sure the DSR250 didn't record in LP, but thought I'd bring it up as a possibility. It's most probably recorded in DVCAM, and that may be where the problem lies.

Jarrod Tully · April 3rd, 2009, 12:57 AM

Upon giving this some more thought, I am almost positive that this footage WAS shot in DVCAM. Thanks for the responses guys. I've been driving myself crazy going through all of the A1's camera settings seeing why my tape wouldn't play properly. Mystery solved!

Bill Pryor · April 3rd, 2009, 11:22 AM

As to the last part of your question, yes you can put DVCAM and also HDV onto miniDV tapes. As far as HDV and DVCAM are concerned, tape is tape. The more expensive tapes, such as Sony's PHDVM Digital Mastering tapes are, allegedly, better quality, but they're still DV tapes.

April 3rd, 2009, 12:27 AM	#1
Jarrod Tully New Boot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 13	XHA1 playback stutter on old DV tapes Hey folks. I tried doing a search but couldn't find a definitive answer on this one. I've used my XHA1 for shooting in HDV and in SD without any problems. However, I trying to use it to capture some footage I shot a few years back on the Sony DSR-250. It's just standard DV-footage - no wacky frame rates or anything. But when playing back these tapes (I've tried several) on the XHA1, the footage is all stuttery. (On the actual viewfinder.) Same thing when I capture in Final Cut. It will capture for a couple of seconds and then tell me there's a timecode break. (Which there isn't.) The couple of seconds of footage plays back in Final Cut with the audio and video having a stutter. I thought DV footage was DV footage but does the XHA1 have problems playing back mini-DV tapes shot on other cameras? I no longer have the original camera the footage was shot on so I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. Thanks for any insight. Jarrod Just a follow up, is it possible to record DVCAM format on a mini-DV tape? I always thought DVCAM was only recorded on the larger tapes but maybe I recorded in DVCAM mode on the mini-DV tape? Last edited by Jarrod Tully; April 3rd, 2009 at 12:41 AM. Reason: Addition

April 3rd, 2009, 12:39 AM	#2
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	It's possible it may have been shot in DVCAM, not DV?

April 3rd, 2009, 12:41 AM	#3
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I'm pretty sure the DSR250 didn't record in LP, but thought I'd bring it up as a possibility. It's most probably recorded in DVCAM, and that may be where the problem lies.

April 3rd, 2009, 12:57 AM	#4
Jarrod Tully New Boot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 13	Upon giving this some more thought, I am almost positive that this footage WAS shot in DVCAM. Thanks for the responses guys. I've been driving myself crazy going through all of the A1's camera settings seeing why my tape wouldn't play properly. Mystery solved!

April 3rd, 2009, 11:22 AM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	As to the last part of your question, yes you can put DVCAM and also HDV onto miniDV tapes. As far as HDV and DVCAM are concerned, tape is tape. The more expensive tapes, such as Sony's PHDVM Digital Mastering tapes are, allegedly, better quality, but they're still DV tapes.