I recently shot a wedding using a rented PD-170

The in video camera playback was just fine, but once I got home and tried to dump the footage into my computer using my cheap miniDV cam, the video was playing back slowly even though the counter was moving at a normal playback speed.

While shooting the video I noticed that my 60min tapes were finishing at the 45min mark, but I didn't think much of it at the time.

I'd rather not rent the camera again since my experience with the rental house was less than satisfying.

Did you record in DVCAM format? What is the brand of the cheap camera you are using for playback? Some brands won't play back DVCAM properly (Most sonys will though)

I'm using a Samsung SCD303 for playback.

Your PD170 footage was shot in DVCAM mode, which is basically the same as DV, but the tape runs at a faster rate in the transport. Its supposed to be more robust (fewer dropouts).

Many DV cameras will play DVCAM even if they can't record it. Not sure if your camera can. MAybe you have to tell the camera that the tape is DVCAM.

Mike.

If you pop back to the camera hire shop with the tape they'll no doubt be able to make you a MiniDV SP copy of your DVCAM original. The quality will be exactly the same. don't worry.

tom.