tape identifier? What is that?
cam is hvr-z1u
sp? the manual is a bit unclear here.

Heres what I've learned about my cam.

1) it has a record mode for DVCAM and DV SP.
there is no lp supported.

the manual mentions if a record mode is diff on a tape the time code will get messed up.

My tapes say "mini DV" and the setting was set to dvcam not to dv sp.

What does this mean?

are there dv cam tapes vs mini dv?

Aug

MiniDV tapes which are labeled "60 minutes" will only hold 40 minutes when recorded in the DVCAM mode.

John thank you for the info.
I have done a little browsing and found out there are some differences.

Here's my ?

using my z1u should I be using cam or mini?
Is there a risk involved (like ruining my machine)?
is there a picture quality issue?

Aug

From what I understand, DVcam mode has more to do with reliability (less chance of dropped frames) than picture quality. It uses up a wider band of tape, which increases reliability but uses up more tape, which is why you'll only get 40 minutes out of a 60 minute tape.

DVCAM operates at a higher tape speed to put a little space between the diagonal video tracks which does help with dropouts as well as tape interchangability between machines. The tracks end up a little "fatter", too. The image quailty between DV mode and DVCAM mode is absolutely identical. There is a small technical difference in the audio track in the way it's synchronized with the video (locked vs. unlocked audio), but the audio quality will be identical between the two modes as well.

http://www.adamwilt.com/DV-FAQ-tech.html#LockedAudio

Generally, if you're going to play the tapes on the same machine that recorded them, then use DV mode. If it's an important shoot and the tapes will be played back on another machine, then you might consider shooting in DVCAM mode. Like I said, though, the video and audio quality will be exactly the same.

John

The only time I've seen this happen is when I've paused the tape and, upon restarting, it was not over the tail of the previous recording so it "started over" with a timecode of 0. In that case, there's a slight blank gap on the tape and it would account for a 5:00 timecode at the 20:00 mark (if the gap was at the 15:00 mark).

jet, thats exactly what happened and yes I forgot to load tapes in my pockets and my brother had brought me a tape already recoreded on his camcorder in dv sp. The camera was recording at dvcam
so there is some problem with that apparently.

It still captured the video and even recorded beyone the 0 mark. So the counter was off. Good to know that it's not defective tapes.

I'm a simple videographer and so I tend to think perhaps I don't need to use dvcam if the job does not call for it. seems like dv sp will do fine for simple wedding jobs?

Of course I've never had dropped frames so I don't know what that means and perhaps that can ruin a whole job? Perhaps it only ruins a few moments of the video?

Maybe I should use dvcam?

Aug

In that case, you experienced NO problem at all. Because of the gap, the timecode started over. To prevent that from happening, always record just a little extra before stopping/removing the tape and then, after putting the tape back in, make sure you are BEFORE the end of the recorded footage. Then the timecode will resume at that point.

You will generally see this happen mainly when you remove and reinsert a tape. It can also happen if you go back to preview a tape and stop it too late. In this case, switching from recording in DV to DVCAM may have also been a factor.

You don't have a tape or camera problem. It's just the way things work.

so guys is dropped frames a NIGHTMARE or something not to worry too much about?

Perhaps I should be using dvcam?

Aug

With DV, I don't usually get any dropped frames. If you had a gap in the tape, that could account for dropped frames.