I'm using Vegas 5 with my DVX 100. For the last few years I've always output to DVD so never had to use print to tape function. However, we're submitting a project for a competition and they want MiniDV tapes rather than DVD's. So.... I've got a 24pN project. I've tried to print to tape from the timeline to my DVX 100 but it invariably drops out at least several times a minute. I rendered to a .avi file and used the Sony Video Capture to print the .avi to tape. It missed the first few frames but then seemed to print OK. I want the color bars and tone at the head of the tape. My machine is fairly new - dual 300GB SATA drives, X2 dual core processor, 2GB fast RAM. I have no problem capturing video at all. The current project is about 5 mins long.

1. I'd rather not render if I don't have to. Any ideas on how to print to tape from the timeline effectively?
2. If everyone agrees rendering first is the best option for printitng to tape, how do I add color bars/tone when using the print to tape function in the Capture program?
3. What setting should I use to avoid dropping frames at the beginning of the print to tape in Capture?

Thanks.

1. If you want to do a proper "print to tape" (without dropped frames, that is), you have to render, either yourself or when you do a "print to tape" from Vegas.
The biggest advantage of doing a render is that you have it on your hard drive for any other purpose.

2. To get bars & tone, do your "print to tape" from Vegas, not VidCap. You'll get various options that you can preset.

3. See #1.