The Gigantic Mini DV Deck / Camcorder as Deck Thread

wefdenver · July 18th, 2002, 12:18 PM

Chris, you mentioned a 1 chip DV cam as a portable deck. Can you suggest a specific make a model? Will I lose any pic quality by capturing from that unit as compared to my XL1? How about the quality in recording a final edit to that "deck" as opposed to the XL1?

Thanks in advance.

wefdenver · July 18th, 2002, 12:20 PM

Chris, you mentioned a 1 chip DV cam as a portable deck. Can you suggest a specific make a model? Will I lose any pic quality by capturing from that unit as compared to my XL1? How about the quality in recording a final edit to that "deck" as opposed to the XL1?

Thanks in advance.

(I hit the new thread button so ignore the new thread post) :(

Chris Hurd · July 19th, 2002, 06:41 AM

Howdy from MacWorld,

<< Can you suggest a specific make a model? >>

Canon ZR40 for $600.

<< Will I lose any pic quality by capturing from that unit as compared to my XL1? >>

When used as a deck, no; not at all.

<< How about the quality in recording a final edit to that "deck" as opposed to the XL1? >>

No difference. Hope this helps,

Dylan Couper · July 20th, 2002, 12:47 AM

Chris, I'm just wondering what criteria you choose a ZR40 by?
I'm not judging your choice, I'm just curious, why it?

Chris Hurd · July 20th, 2002, 08:12 AM

Dylan,

It's the least expensive 1-chipper Canon makes. Since it's the same manufacturer as the XL1, there should be no problems with tape playback. Hope this helps,

Dylan Couper · July 20th, 2002, 09:36 AM

Fair enough! :)

I've been trying to find an Optura Pi locally, but having no luck. There are usualy one or two on Ebay, but I hate buying cameras from there.
And a new ZR40 seems to be cheaper than what a used Optura Pi sells for on Ebay too.
If I get a ZR40, it obviously won't match in Frame Movie Mode, but how close will the picture be in regular mode?

Thanks

Joshua Wachs · July 23rd, 2002, 12:53 PM

Ok, a bit off topic here but here goes...

I am seriously contemplating getting a Canon GL2... my question is as follows: If I don't want to drop the bucks for a seperate deck just yet, any reason why I couldn't use my Sony TRV17 camcorder as a capture deck? I know it'll beat the heck out of it but since I have an extended warranty, I figured why not.

So my question is more towards would it work and produce good results vs. is it bad for the TRV17...

thanks!

Don Palomaki · July 23rd, 2002, 02:54 PM

As long as the TRV-17 is MiniDV it should work OK. A number of folks have used a Canon ZR-10 for playback. Just avoid LP tape speed shooting. Good idea to run a quick test before you rely on it.

Joshua Wachs · July 23rd, 2002, 03:04 PM

Ok, thanks for the prompt reply.

August 21st, 2002, 11:30 AM

What a great forum...hello, this is my first post.

I'm trying to decide which hi-end DV deck to buy. So far, I've narrowed down the choices to Sony DSR-1500, DSR-1500A, DSR-1800 and Panasonic AJ-D455. Does anyone have any experiences, either negative or positive, with any of these decks. I'm looking for a versatile deck for my MC9000 that can handle various formats (but mostly mini-DVCAM, standard DVCAM, and standard DVCPRO) for both offline and online purposes.

James Emory · August 21st, 2002, 08:30 PM

Have you checked into the Panasonic AG-DV2000. This deck accommodates mini & full size DV. I have used this for two years now for the master deck in the truck and for loading the NLE with no problems.

August 22nd, 2002, 08:04 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, James. Unfortunately, I need to play back DVCAM, component and SDI in/out, and a built-in TBC, none of which DV2000 offers. I've the deck before, though, and it's great for the price.

Jeff Donald · August 22nd, 2002, 09:06 AM

Do you really need DVCPRO? I don't own the Sony DSR-1800, but I've used them in clients edit suites. The only problem was with footage on DVCPRO. The unit had a firewire board and couldn't get DVCPRO to work thru the board. I later found out that it just won't output DVCPRO thru the board. Very frustrating but now I know. The Dynamic Motion Control was pretty useless. The speed is only +/- .5x I'm used to Betacams with +2x or 3x and -1x. So DMC was not very usefull either. They run about $7,000 (before optional boards) and I think there might still be a rebate on them. The Panasonic AJ-D455 has useable slow motion speeds and is about the same or a little less money. I've not used that model, but similar Panasonics and I like the way they edit. Very nice feel to them. Sony is kind of noisy in my opinion. Noiser than similar Panasonics.

Jeff

August 22nd, 2002, 09:24 AM

Thanks for the info, Jeff. I guess there were three main reasons why I was leaning toward Sony DSR-1800 rather than Panasonic AJ-D455. One, almost all of the footage will be on mini-DVCAM (shot on PD150). If I get footage that I need to transfer, I was thinking of using standard DVCAM format. And two, DSR-1800 takes mini tapes w/o an adaptor (unlike the AJ-D455). Three, AJ-D455 doesn't have a jog shuttle. And if you need to add the optional board for SDI in/out, then the price difference between the 2 decks (about $500) disappears.

On the other hand, I completely agree with you about "the feel" of the Panasonic deck being better than the Sonys. And AJ-D455, with the optional firewire board, will support DVCAM (while, as you pointed out, Sony DSR-1800 doesn't support DVCPRO via firewire). And if the Panasonic seamless supports mini- and standard DVCAM format, I guess that's a big plus. What's your exerience on this last issue?

Jeff Donald · August 22nd, 2002, 01:27 PM

Mini DV tapes must be 60 minute or less and LP is not an option. An adapter is needed to record and playback mini DV. If i remember on adapter won't work for recording and one will, but check that. It will playback and record to DVCPro tapes M and L without an adapter. It plays back mini and standard DVCAM tapes. The minis would of course need an adapter. One adapter for playback does come with the unit.

But if the majority of your work is on DVCAM I think you should get the Sony. It will handle that format the format better. Then avoid DVCPRO with the Sony. If your forced to deal with it rent a DVCPRO deck and dub the tapes to DVCAM.

Jeff

July 18th, 2002, 12:18 PM	#61
wefdenver Registration Incomplete -- contact Admin. Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 29	Good portable deck Chris, you mentioned a 1 chip DV cam as a portable deck. Can you suggest a specific make a model? Will I lose any pic quality by capturing from that unit as compared to my XL1? How about the quality in recording a final edit to that "deck" as opposed to the XL1? Thanks in advance.

July 18th, 2002, 12:20 PM	#62
wefdenver Registration Incomplete -- contact Admin. Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 29	Good portable deck Chris, you mentioned a 1 chip DV cam as a portable deck. Can you suggest a specific make a model? Will I lose any pic quality by capturing from that unit as compared to my XL1? How about the quality in recording a final edit to that "deck" as opposed to the XL1? Thanks in advance. (I hit the new thread button so ignore the new thread post) :(

July 19th, 2002, 06:41 AM	#63
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Howdy from MacWorld, << Can you suggest a specific make a model? >> Canon ZR40 for $600. << Will I lose any pic quality by capturing from that unit as compared to my XL1? >> When used as a deck, no; not at all. << How about the quality in recording a final edit to that "deck" as opposed to the XL1? >> No difference. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 20th, 2002, 08:12 AM	#65
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Dylan, It's the least expensive 1-chipper Canon makes. Since it's the same manufacturer as the XL1, there should be no problems with tape playback. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

July 23rd, 2002, 12:53 PM	#67
Joshua Wachs Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 95	Using a Sony TRV as a Deck for GL2 tapes? Ok, a bit off topic here but here goes... I am seriously contemplating getting a Canon GL2... my question is as follows: If I don't want to drop the bucks for a seperate deck just yet, any reason why I couldn't use my Sony TRV17 camcorder as a capture deck? I know it'll beat the heck out of it but since I have an extended warranty, I figured why not. So my question is more towards would it work and produce good results vs. is it bad for the TRV17... thanks!

July 20th, 2002, 12:47 AM	#64
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Chris, I'm just wondering what criteria you choose a ZR40 by? I'm not judging your choice, I'm just curious, why it?

July 20th, 2002, 09:36 AM	#66
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Fair enough! :) I've been trying to find an Optura Pi locally, but having no luck. There are usualy one or two on Ebay, but I hate buying cameras from there. And a new ZR40 seems to be cheaper than what a used Optura Pi sells for on Ebay too. If I get a ZR40, it obviously won't match in Frame Movie Mode, but how close will the picture be in regular mode? Thanks

July 23rd, 2002, 02:54 PM	#68
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	As long as the TRV-17 is MiniDV it should work OK. A number of folks have used a Canon ZR-10 for playback. Just avoid LP tape speed shooting. Good idea to run a quick test before you rely on it.

July 23rd, 2002, 03:04 PM	#69
Joshua Wachs Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 95	Ok, thanks for the prompt reply.

August 21st, 2002, 11:30 AM	#70
jxavierkim Posts: n/a	DV deck recommendations??? What a great forum...hello, this is my first post. I'm trying to decide which hi-end DV deck to buy. So far, I've narrowed down the choices to Sony DSR-1500, DSR-1500A, DSR-1800 and Panasonic AJ-D455. Does anyone have any experiences, either negative or positive, with any of these decks. I'm looking for a versatile deck for my MC9000 that can handle various formats (but mostly mini-DVCAM, standard DVCAM, and standard DVCPRO) for both offline and online purposes.

August 21st, 2002, 08:30 PM	#71
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	DV Deck Have you checked into the Panasonic AG-DV2000. This deck accommodates mini & full size DV. I have used this for two years now for the master deck in the truck and for loading the NLE with no problems.

August 22nd, 2002, 08:04 AM	#72
jxavierkim Posts: n/a	Thanks for the suggestion, James. Unfortunately, I need to play back DVCAM, component and SDI in/out, and a built-in TBC, none of which DV2000 offers. I've the deck before, though, and it's great for the price.

August 22nd, 2002, 09:06 AM	#73
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Do you really need DVCPRO? I don't own the Sony DSR-1800, but I've used them in clients edit suites. The only problem was with footage on DVCPRO. The unit had a firewire board and couldn't get DVCPRO to work thru the board. I later found out that it just won't output DVCPRO thru the board. Very frustrating but now I know. The Dynamic Motion Control was pretty useless. The speed is only +/- .5x I'm used to Betacams with +2x or 3x and -1x. So DMC was not very usefull either. They run about $7,000 (before optional boards) and I think there might still be a rebate on them. The Panasonic AJ-D455 has useable slow motion speeds and is about the same or a little less money. I've not used that model, but similar Panasonics and I like the way they edit. Very nice feel to them. Sony is kind of noisy in my opinion. Noiser than similar Panasonics. Jeff

August 22nd, 2002, 09:24 AM	#74
jxavierkim Posts: n/a	Thanks for the info, Jeff. I guess there were three main reasons why I was leaning toward Sony DSR-1800 rather than Panasonic AJ-D455. One, almost all of the footage will be on mini-DVCAM (shot on PD150). If I get footage that I need to transfer, I was thinking of using standard DVCAM format. And two, DSR-1800 takes mini tapes w/o an adaptor (unlike the AJ-D455). Three, AJ-D455 doesn't have a jog shuttle. And if you need to add the optional board for SDI in/out, then the price difference between the 2 decks (about $500) disappears. On the other hand, I completely agree with you about "the feel" of the Panasonic deck being better than the Sonys. And AJ-D455, with the optional firewire board, will support DVCAM (while, as you pointed out, Sony DSR-1800 doesn't support DVCPRO via firewire). And if the Panasonic seamless supports mini- and standard DVCAM format, I guess that's a big plus. What's your exerience on this last issue?

August 22nd, 2002, 01:27 PM	#75
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Mini DV tapes must be 60 minute or less and LP is not an option. An adapter is needed to record and playback mini DV. If i remember on adapter won't work for recording and one will, but check that. It will playback and record to DVCPro tapes M and L without an adapter. It plays back mini and standard DVCAM tapes. The minis would of course need an adapter. One adapter for playback does come with the unit. But if the majority of your work is on DVCAM I think you should get the Sony. It will handle that format the format better. Then avoid DVCPRO with the Sony. If your forced to deal with it rent a DVCPRO deck and dub the tapes to DVCAM. Jeff