OT: PD150 users (or any DVCAM users) please help

Randy Brown wrote on 11/16/2002, 9:49 AM

Good morning,
Sorry this is so OT but... I just bought a PD150 and I'm a little ( OK, a lot) confused as to which format, DVcam or mini DV, I should use (not clear in the manual). I am assuming, using a faster tape speed equals better quality (using audio recording logic). My first question is:is this true and if I use a Sony miniDV tape (with the miniDV logo), will I get the DVcam quality or does it need to have the DVCAM logo. Next question, I'm shooting a local cable TV ad next week; if they have been receiving mini DV tapes in the past and I give them a DVcam tape, might they have a problem dubbing to Beta?
Thanks for your patience,
Randy

Comments

kkolbo wrote on 11/16/2002, 11:46 AM

OK, there is a lot of subjectivity involved here but let me do my best to give you my take as a PD-150 operator/owner.

The technical advatage of the DVCAM format is that it has lock audio (synced in the code rather than just laid there) and the track pitch is wider (faster tape speed). I have never experinced audio drift with miniDV but I have also never tried machine to machine edit like DVCAM field units perform. The track pitch is meant to reduce drop outs; wider info, less error. I have never had a drop out on miniDV so I can't say it is better.

All of that said, I pay the extra and run DVCAM mode and DVCAM tapes. When money is at stake I just like to have the extra emotional belief that I might be better off. When the money is flowing, the little extra cost does not mean much against the irrational security issues.

I find that clients like the DVCAM tape boxes handed to them better than the miniDV ones; it just looks more pro. If I have to master a piece longer than 40 minutes then I have to go to miniDV nntil I can afford a DVCAM deck.

No one expect the station that will air the piece can tell you if they can accept DVCAM. The likelihood is that they are using a Sony DV deck which plays miniDV and DVCAM, but they will have to answer that.

JMHO

K

Randy Brown wrote on 11/16/2002, 12:01 PM

Thanks K,
I got a reply over at the Cow Sony DV forum stating there is no difference in the quality between the two formats...you agree?
Thanks again,
Randy

vonhosen wrote on 11/16/2002, 2:01 PM

Here is a link to a site that has a lot of info on the relative differences between the formats etc.

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

kkolbo wrote on 11/16/2002, 6:45 PM

I can't say that. Most of the difference are based on reliability not quality. I equate reliabilty to the 'quality' of the format, but that does not mean that the picture is better. In fact, both formats are capable of better quality than the PD-150 can produce. Therefore my choice to use DVCAM is based on possible reliability instead. That and the general impression it makes to the unwashed client.

K

John_Cline wrote on 11/16/2002, 6:55 PM

There is absolutely no difference in visual quality between DV and DVCAM, they both use the exact same DVC-format video compression algorithm.

Most DVCAM machines will play tapes recorded in MiniDV or DV-format tapes, but virtually no MiniDV machines will tapes recorded in DVCAM format.

John