Comments

JackW wrote on 2/10/2004, 10:04 PM
The lower left hand corner of the drop down PTT box has a small square marked "Region Only" or words to that effect (I'm not a my editing computer, so can't be more specific.) Check that box and the program will render and print only the region you select. Repete for the second section.

Jack
jetdv wrote on 2/11/2004, 8:14 AM
Why is it "obviously going to take two tapes"?

There's at least two solutions:
1) use an 83 minute tape in LP mode
2) use a large shell tape which can go to several hours long - even in SP mode.
Summersond wrote on 2/11/2004, 10:15 AM
The only problem with using LP on a mini-DV is that the tape may not play properly in a different player than which it was recorded on. That is stated in most owners manuals of mini-DV camcorders. SP is universal. I use 2 tapes to insure it will play on some other player down the road. If it were going to be a master, I would stick to mini-DV and not go to VHS tape (the larger shell tape I assume you are referring to), as the quality will be better. S-VHS may come closer, but if I can keep it in a digital format, I will.

my 2 cents worth.
Dave
berenberen wrote on 2/11/2004, 10:43 AM
Dave: I believe there are 2-hour Mini-DV tapes available for sale (though they are quite expensive); that's probably what jetdv is referring to.

Problem is, all I have here is 60-minute tapes, so I've got to make it work with those.
berenberen wrote on 2/11/2004, 10:53 AM
Scratch that - I was confusing mini-DV and full-size DV.
However, there is a full-size 2 hr. DV tape, which I guess is what you're referring to, jetdv. But I don't have a full-size cam.
jetdv wrote on 2/11/2004, 11:21 AM
Yes, I was referring to a full size DV tape. It WOULD require a deck (such as our Panasonic AG-DV2000) that can accept those tapes but would give you the length of time you need.
PeterWright wrote on 2/11/2004, 8:07 PM
Another solution is to master to DVD, then VHS dubs can be made from that.

Getting 2 hours may require a fair bit of bitrate squeezing, though, depends on what sort of footage whether quality will hold up ok...
berenberen wrote on 2/11/2004, 10:24 PM
I guess I'll print one region at a time, and then transfer to VHS.
Liam_Vegas wrote on 2/11/2004, 11:19 PM
If you are going to transfer to VHS in any case why not connect the VHS recorder to your camera in pass-thru mode and PTT direct to VHS (well via the camera of course) bypassing the multiple mini-DV tapes?

Would that work?
craftech wrote on 2/12/2004, 3:59 AM
If there is a fade to black scene in the middle somewhere you could turn it into two separate renders on two separate master tapes. Then you can pause the dubbing deck or decks while you switch tapes in your camera (which I assume you are using for a master player). Or do what Liam suggested. Either should work.

John
farss wrote on 2/12/2004, 4:15 AM
Your best bet really is to record to full size DV on something like a DSR-11. I'd still PTT from the PC though if you need VHS copies. VHS heads are much cheaper than DV heads.
berenberen wrote on 2/12/2004, 7:06 AM
I don't have access to a full-size DV deck, so that's not an option for me.

But using the cam as a pass-through from the PC to VHS; now that's an idea! There's no reason it shouldn't work, but I never thought of it.

I really like this forum.
craftech wrote on 2/12/2004, 7:08 AM
Beren,
I think you were the one with the Sony TRV-18 which is a $500-$600 camera. Liam's suggestion or mine I believe would be your best option. Spending $2000 on a Dv deck so that you can overcome the limitations of mini DV (tapes are too short) is insane. If you have that kind of extra cash, buy a better camera. Otherwise don't worry about premature wear on your $600 camera or print through it directly to the VHS deck(VTR) or decks and watch it on an external TV or monitor as you do. Put the TV on the outputs of the last VTR. If you can see it on the TV it's being recorded on the VTR.

John
berenberen wrote on 2/12/2004, 7:50 AM
Thanks John.
No, I don't have the cash for a DV deck, and don't have that much use for it in any case.
Liam's idea is perfectly suited to my needs; I just can't believe I didn't think of it myself.
BTW, someone above suggested printing in LP mode. I've always assumed that LP is of considerably lower quality; am I wrong?
jetdv wrote on 2/12/2004, 7:58 AM
LP mode is identical in quality on DV. You're recording 1's and 0's.

The problems of LP are:
1) Greater risk of dropouts
2) Greater risk it will not playback in other units

I almost never use LP but it IS an alternative. If going straight to VHS, then pass-thru to the VHS recorder(s) is probably your best bet.
craftech wrote on 2/12/2004, 8:01 AM
The problems of LP are:
1) Greater risk of dropouts
2) Greater risk it will not playback in other units
===================
1. If you get a dropout, record it again.
2. From your post it sounds like it won't be played anywhere else except in your camera as a master tape to make VHS dubs from so go ahead and don't worry about it.

John
berenberen wrote on 2/12/2004, 8:10 AM
This is interesting.

Why would there be a greater risk of dropouts on LP? And why wouldn't it play on other units if it's nothing but the same 1's and 0's that are recorded in SP mode.

Enlighten me.
jetdv wrote on 2/12/2004, 9:38 AM
The tape is traveling slower so the 1's and 0's are recorded on a smaller area of the tape. This means a smaller anomaly will give you a dropout as compared to the faster speed.
berenberen wrote on 2/12/2004, 9:44 AM
Got it. And the second question? (why is it less compatible with different players)
Chienworks wrote on 2/12/2004, 10:11 AM
Because not all manufacturers implement LP mode in the same way. Some may use video heads gaps and widths optimized for SP (which they should) and others may figure their customers are going to use LP anyway and optimize for that. With the larger bits recorded at SP there's more room to get a good read, but with the smaller LP bits the margin for error becomes worse.
berenberen wrote on 2/12/2004, 10:22 AM
Thank you all.