I'm just about to buy my first camcorder, probably a PD170. I've been doing a lot of reading on various aspects of cameras, tapes etc. but there is one thing I'm still uncertain about.

I understand that the PD170 can record using miniDV or DVCAM mode, using a miniDV tape, and that the latter will only give 40 mins recording time. Assuming this is correct, what is the benefit of using dedicated DVCAM tapes, which seem considerably more expensive than miniDV tapes?

And if this is just a quality/drop-out thing is there any point in using DVCAM mode on a miniDV tape?

Thanks for any clarification on this.

DVCAM tape is a little hardier, or so it's claimed.