I have a very lightly used Sony HDR-HC7 that's starting have tape mechanism problems. I don't want to replace this camera, but my curiosity led me to the new models on Sony's and Canon's web site. I couldn't find a MiniDV camcorder in the consumer line of cameras.

Is this format dead? Is it still in professional use?

Thanks.

Not dead, still in use by professionals. Having said that... don't wait too long to get your camera in for servicing.

If not dead then it's feeling pretty poorly. The tape deck is a highly complex mechanical assembly that invariably makes cameras that use it less reliable than solid state. Maybe you'd like to read my thoughts on it as the last one in this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-hvr-z1-hdr-fx1/485970-how-much-longer-will-z1-good-todays-hd-standards.html

That's disappointing given that I haven't had my HC7 very long and I love having tape as an archival format. I could have purchased a AVCHD/hard disk camcorder at the time but I thought tape was going to be here for much longer. And if my HC7 does have a mechanical problem, I'm not sure if I want to put any more money into it (already had to pay once for mechanical repairs).

So I have all these archival tapes and in a not-too-distant future I won't even have any way of accessing them. For those still on tape, what are you doing to archive the archive tapes onto digital storage?

Don't worry David - digital tape will have players around for tens of years. Remember millions of MiniDV camcorders were produced in its 15 year life-span, so I'd archive onto Mini DV rather than DV, and record in the SP mode rather than LP or DVCAM.

I can still play quarter track open reel, VHS and all sorts of 8mm tapes.

Thanks Tom.

I'd hardly say dead too, the local shop dropped the price of Sony DV tape stock to $3.50 each. That being said, I do have a Firestore...

i dont know if is dead or not , but i do know that i love tape format cause is the perfect storage and backup
the only think i hate is drop-frame.

I have 2 x canon xha1 and one canon hv30 for transfering video to pc.