I've read threads discussing the merits of using a cheap minidv camera dedicated for video capture to computer. One thread mentioned the JVC minidv/svhs decks and claimed they had "bad press" but then the same person claimed to have bought two units for a school and they are working fine. I'd like to hear others' experiences specifically on the SR-VS30 unit. I'm not a heavy user, but I don't want to put unnecessary hours on my GL2's heads. The cheapo minidv cam as deck option is appealing
for the cost, but I like the idea of the dual deck for dubbing.

Sorry if this question is retracing old ground, but before I
spend >$800 on this unit, I'd like to hear the positives and negatives from actual users.

Thanks

Joseph

Joseph- I've been watching this post to see if you get any replies. I am in the same situation as you and I also am considering the purchase of this unit. I want a deck that can be controlled with the software (Vegas) if possible. Let me know what you find out and what you end up purchasing.

Rick

Joseph/Rick,

I'm using the deck with no problems. Had it for about a year now, probably 100-150 hrs on it. I edit with Premiere and have no problems controlling the deck from within the pgm via firewire. The dubbing capability is handy, use it to dub previews for clients prior to final. Works well for those that only have access to VHS.

Wouldn't want to use it as a half of a direct edit deck system since the transport does not respond as quickly as a Beta deck would to changes in direction etc. It does work great if you are scrubbing through a tape and logging in/outs.