Can I take a tape from one camera and use the DVout in another?
 

If I have a good video camera and buy a cheap mini-dv to output through mini-dv, is this possible?
How about for HD - does it have to be HD deck to output through?

Thanks

Can you be more specific? Do you want to play the tape from one camera in another cheap camera? If so then yes, all DV is the same. If you are shooting HDV then there are some differences between the different brands, so it *may* work, depending on the cameras in question and the mode the original footage was shot in.

I want to take mini-dv footage from one camera and output it through another cheaper mini-dv. That sounds ok.
Yes, I am wondering if a HDV would also output through the same cheap mini-dv camera...

Well it would have to be a cheap HDV camera. Although regular DV cameras use the same kinds of tape, the data is recorded in a completely different format. Even if you do have a cheap HDV camera you may have problems. For example, Canon A1 24p footage wouldn't play through a Sony HC1 but Canon 60i footage would.

I suggest you start a new thread in the correct forum for the camera(s) you want to use if you're looking for a specific answer regarding HDV playback between "camera A" and "camera B".

Ok, well that solves two smaller problem. Mini-dv's I have seen as low as $250.00 as Sam's Club, so that is an easy fix. The HDV is going to be another story. I might have to get it repaired rather then buy a new one to use as a deck.

Would the cheap camera reduce the quality of the tape being output?

Nope, that's the magic of digital video. It's all ones and zeros. No generational loss by doing a straight copy. The quality of the original footage is determined by the camera that shoots it, and the skills of the camera operator.

-gb-

The only caution is recording in LP mode on a camcorder may not play back on another camcorder because of head alignment. If you record in SP then there should be no problems.

Ron Evans