Just read that Sony has released the ONLY -- so far -- full-size HDV tapes:

PHDV-186DM ---- offers 124M with DVCAM
PHDV-276DM ---- offers 184M with DVCAM

Obviously, Sony didn't do this just for fun -- which means someone must be going to release a new HDV camcorder at NAB that will use these tapes.

Could this mean a shoulder-mount "Z1" with 1440x1080 CCDs? With 24F? Under $10,000?

Thats what I'm hoping for :D

I thought I read somewhere that Sony had introduced a new HDV deck which takes the larger tapes. Or did I imagine that?...

I thought I read somewhere that Sony had introduced a new HDV deck which takes the larger tapes. Or did I imagine that?...

this is true.

Awhile back I predicted an HDV replacement for the DSR-250. Wouldn't surprise me to see one at NAB.

Simply Sony release now a new line of HDV desktop player/recorder and they can make a big business by selling expensive tapes specially branded "HDV", since they missed this market with the cameras. (who ever put an HDV tape in his HDV camera before ?). I was their mistake since one of the big point they pushed was that HDV was DV compatible.
So whe they released HDV tapes that cost 4x the price of a DV tape, guess what happens.

I use the HDV tapes. It is what they recommended and it is what I bought. In the beginning, who knew for sure? Now I continue to use them because I have no trouble at all with them.

can you use these in the other hdv cameras? Xlh1?
Bruce Yarock

Nope, because the XL H1 accepts only the Mini size. These cassette shells are significantly larger (full size).

We use the Sony PDV-184DM standard cassette for (VTR) DV production and the PHDVM-63DM mini in our FX-1 and A-1 camcorders. This is Sony's top-of-the-line DVCAM product. I'll bet it's cheaper than the "new" HDV tape and may be the same thing.

... and that is exactly what Sony wants to avoid.

These tapes would work great for Time-lapsing using a HDV feed into a next-M10 VTR and record over 3 hours of time lapse HDV which can be sped up in post.