The PD-170 is a DVCAM, but does it use MiniDV tapes? I am renting one this weekend and I need to buy tapes in advance, I am not sure what I need. Can someone help me on this a.s.a.p? Thanks.

Yes, it does use MiniDV tapes.

Sony's "DVCAM" is a recording format, not a tape size specification. DVCAM is basically the same as standard DV, except with a slightly higher tape speed and some other "proprietary" claims. The PD-170 can lay DVCAM or standard DV to MiniDV tapes.

Ken's right, but note that "slightly higher tape speed" actually means "exactly the same writing speed", so there's no quality difference.