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Home: Video University Forums: Sony DV and DVCAM Forum:
DV recorded as DVcam, has it any sens?

juandirphoto
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Mar 3, 2005, 3:20 AM

Post #1 of 6 (892 views)
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DV recorded as DVcam, has it any sens?	Can't Post

recently I worked with a Director who (by a budget question) pressed me to record in DVcam mode their DV cassettes. I tried to explain it has no sens because DV cassettes haven't ability to record properly in those speed.
Now I heve the doubt.
What do you think, community?

ProDV
User

Mar 3, 2005, 8:59 AM

Post #2 of 6 (881 views)
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Re: [juandirphoto] DV recorded as DVcam, has it any sens? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm not real clear on what your question is, but you can certainly record DVCAM to DV cassettes. You simply get a shorter record time (40 minutes on 60 minute cassette) due to DVCAM's faster tape speed (wider record track).

Jeff

juandirphoto
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Mar 3, 2005, 9:21 AM

Post #3 of 6 (875 views)
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Re: [ProDV] DV recorded as DVcam, has it any sens? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Jeff for your answer, and sorry for my English, I'm not anglophone. Unsure

My question is: filming in DV cassettes in DVcam mode, is quality better than in mode DV is?
I think the answer is no, but I wish to confront with someone else.
Regards.
Juan

ProDV
User

Mar 3, 2005, 7:10 PM

Post #4 of 6 (856 views)
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Re: [juandirphoto] DV recorded as DVcam, has it any sens? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Juan,

There is NO difference in image quality between DVCAM, miniDV, or even Digital8 for that matter. It's the SAME digital data on all 3 tapes. DVCAM has less chance for a dropout due to wider track on tape, but no "quality" advantage (DVCAM tapes do cost more because they are supposedly a better formulation, but again, dropouts are the concern - image quality will not differ).

miniDV has an LP mode (7 micron track) which is still identical quality to SP mode, but more chance of dropouts. We must put behind the thoughts of analog tape with different "grades" and qualities. DV is DV is DV. The camera itself dictates how good the picture will be, not the tape.

Digital8 cameras are single-chip and have a lousy picture, but take a DVCAM tape shot with a 3-chip camera and make a Firewire dub to the $350 Digital8 camera and it looks fantastic (identical to original).

With digital formats, ones and zeroes are being recorded to the tape, and ones and zeroes are played back. If this data gets corrupted beyond what the format's error-correction algorithm can compensate, then we have a drop out (glitch). But the picture will never be "better or worse" due to which brand of tape.

Think of a computer file, a photo or a music clip for example. Whether located on a CD-R disc, a floppy, or a USB pen drive keychain thingy, it is still the exact same file and same quality. Nothing changes - the data is the same though we may think of a floppy as inferior to a CD.

I hope that's not too much info ;-)

Jeff

RickSp
User

Mar 3, 2005, 7:53 PM

Post #5 of 6 (852 views)
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Re: [juandirphoto] DV recorded as DVcam, has it any sens? [In reply to]	Can't Post

DV and DVCam can be confusing. Here is a section of teh Sony FAQ on DVCam:

"1.(Q) Can I use consumer DV tape in a DVCAM camera or VTR ?

(A) Certainly that is one of the great advantages of DVCAM since its so closely related to the consumer DV standard you can use any manufacturers DV tape.
Of course Sony's DVCAM professional series tape offers advantages in improved formulation that provides improved quality, reliability and durability, however you can use consumer DV tapes. The running length of consumer tape in the unit will be affected by DVCAM's wider track pitch and faster tape consumption. Typically you can expect 2/3rds of the run time. "

and

"3.(Q) Are consumer DV and DVCAM compatible?

(A) Both consumer DV and DVCAM are closely related, so much so that all DVCAM equipment also carries the DV logo guaranteeing full DV playback compatibility. As well most Sony DV products, except for the original two camera's (DCR-VX700 and VX1000), also have full playback compatibility with DVCAM tapes. Many other manufactures DV products can playback DVCAM as well. In essence the record footprint is the largest difference between the two formats (DV=10um, DVCAM=15um) The DVCAM format is really just a professional extension of the DV format designed to meet the rigors of professional use. In fact one way to consider DVCAM is that it is the standard play mode providing superior professional performance and DV is the longer play mode of the format which provides performance consistent with consumer use. "

To read the entire FAQ click here

Rick Spilman
Meridian Multimedia
www.meridianmultimedia.com

juandirphoto
New User

Mar 4, 2005, 3:53 AM

Post #6 of 6 (834 views)
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Re: [RickSp] DV recorded as DVcam, has it any sens? [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's great to confirm what I souposed, and to know other things I ignored, you learned me a lot.
Thank you every body.

Juan