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Home: Video University Forums: Sony DV and DVCAM Forum:
DVCam Tapes - getting new PD170

wilky1974
User

Feb 24, 2005, 9:50 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1180 views)
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DVCam Tapes - getting new PD170	Can't Post

Hello! I am getting a new PD170 and have a question.

I know the PD170 can record in either DV or DVCam mode. Can you use a large DVCam tape, and record in DV mode on that tape? If so, would that increase the minutes available on the tape?

For instance.....if the DVCam tape says that it has 124 minutes - that is in DVCam mode, correct? And if you recorded in DV mode, would you get more than 124 minutes? If so, how much more? Is there a percentage more?

Thanks for your help!

RickSp
User

Feb 24, 2005, 10:29 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1177 views)
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Re: [wilky1974] DVCam Tapes - getting new PD170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

A lot of people get confused between tape size and tape format. DVCam is a format not a size.

The only tape that fits in a PD170 is a mini cartridge that looks just like any old miniDV tape. You cannot fit a full sized tape, whether DV or DVCam, in a PD170. Just won't fit. It is a geometry not a format issue. So no, you cannot get 124 minutes of recording time because the full sized tape won't fit in the camera.

With a PD170 you can record in DV or DVCam format. In DV you have about 60 minutes of recording time. In DVCam you have about 42. DVCam has some advantages, mostly related to setting the time code. The suggestion that DVCam has fewer dropouts may be true but as my camera recording in DV has essentially no dropouts, it isn't as great a benefit as it first appears.

Rick Spilman
Meridian Multimedia
www.meridianmultimedia.com

wilky1974
User

Feb 24, 2005, 10:45 AM

Post #3 of 6 (1171 views)
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Re: [RickSp] DVCam Tapes - getting new PD170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking the PD-170 took either size of tape. I guess I got that idea because on B&H website, it shows a DVCam tape coming with the camera, and the tape case looks like the bigger tapes - maybe it is, but there is just a smaller DV tape in it?

I wish it could take both sizes! Too Bad!!

Are 80-minute DV tapes the longest you have seen?

RickSp
User

Feb 24, 2005, 10:56 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1162 views)
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Re: [wilky1974] DVCam Tapes - getting new PD170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have used 80 minute tapes before but theu make me nervous. They are thinner and more fragile than the standard tape. I have never seen anything longer in a mini cassette.

The only way to get longer record times would be to get a DSR250, a shoulder held camera with the same glass and electronics as the PD150 which will take full sized tapes, or record directly to a hard drive. http://www.videoguys.com/FireStore.html#fs4 The cheapest alternative is to just plan carefully when you need to change tapes.

Rick Spilman
Meridian Multimedia
www.meridianmultimedia.com

videochicke
Veteran

Feb 26, 2005, 1:37 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1071 views)
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Re: [wilky1974] DVCam Tapes - getting new PD170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

The case is big but the tape in it is the same size as a mini-dv tape.
Julie

BaciPix@aol.com
New User

Mar 11, 2005, 11:52 PM

Post #6 of 6 (895 views)
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Re: [wilky1974] DVCam Tapes - getting new PD170 [In reply to]	Can't Post

Same size tape in a bigger box--really confused me too. I do experience much less dropout with the DVCam stock in my PD170 though.

One solution for long records in a locked-down set up: connect the camera via firewire to a deck like a DSR40, which takes the wider-mouth tape loads...up to 3 hours long. I record a lot of theatrical stuff and just let the tape roll...just try to ignore the blinking "no tape" icon in the viewfinder (maybe this can be turned off). I came up with this the night I forgot to defeat the beepbeepbeepbeep alarm for TAPE END, which of course came at the most dramatic moment in the play...and I didn't hear it right away because I was monitoring my downstage mics on phones!!! Yikes, how embarrassing. I had to do a make-good for the client! Rick