Tape vs P2: a real-life experience

John Mitchell · June 21st, 2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Tames

A friend shared this story with me once... he were digitizing for the purpose of archiving some of his old video footage that had been shot about fifteen years ago and some of the 3/4" tapes he tried to play had nothing on them... the magnetic patterns had vanished. Some of the other tapes barely played once and the oxide literally fell off the tape. This is what I think about when producers say, "I have an archive of my materials on videotape." The archive problem exists for both the videotape workflow and tapeless workflow. Besides recording things out to 35mm intermediate film stock, I don't know any motion picture archival medium which stands a chance to outlast the person who created the images.

Well of course glue and plastics technology has come a long way since then. I still have perfect 3/4s as well - it depends on how carefully you store them (humidity control etc).

David can you answer my previous question - can you not record all the formats of the HVX to hard disk which kind of makes the angst about P2 workflow a little off track?

Also I'd be interested to know - Hypothetically, if you only had $10K to spend what camera and accessories would you buy? Sorry you don't have the luxury of buying different cameras for different jobs or higher end cameras...

Ash Greyson · June 21st, 2006, 09:57 PM

I think there IS a way to make the P2/tapeless workflow work quite well, it is just VERY VERY expensive.

While no master may be timeless, having one for a week, month, year, etc. is better than deleting when the project is done. For now, most post houses I know are actually backing up.... to data tape... ironic huh? FYI, I have miniDV tapes that are 10 years old and none have failed yet...

ash =o)

Paolo Ciccone · June 21st, 2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash Greyson

FYI, I have miniDV tapes that are 10 years old and none have failed yet...

Right. I just did a transfer from CVHS to DVD for tapes that were 10 years old and have been played a lot. besides the normal degradation caused by the playback the images were there and I was able to transfer them just fine. Cheap, compact VHS from a low-end consumer camera.

Jonathan Nelson · June 21st, 2006, 10:27 PM

I cannot believe that people are buying into this p2 stuff. Spend 8k on a camera and have only 16 minutes of hd per session to show for it. Even if the video was marginally better then the hdv cameras, the cost does not satisfy the needs. Its simply not practical or versatile for the average pro shooter.

IMHO, p2 and the hvx are more of a luxury item then a business tool. My humble opinion will change when p2 memory substantially goes up and prices substantially go down. Like that is going to happen any time soon.

No axe to grind here, I just really wonder how people use p2 as a money maker.

For the record, I am no fan boy. I would buy a sanyo brand camcorder if it fit the bill.

June 21st, 2006, 09:57 PM	#47
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	I think there IS a way to make the P2/tapeless workflow work quite well, it is just VERY VERY expensive. While no master may be timeless, having one for a week, month, year, etc. is better than deleting when the project is done. For now, most post houses I know are actually backing up.... to data tape... ironic huh? FYI, I have miniDV tapes that are 10 years old and none have failed yet... ash =o)

June 21st, 2006, 10:27 PM	#49
Jonathan Nelson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kingman Arizona Posts: 298	I cannot believe that people are buying into this p2 stuff. Spend 8k on a camera and have only 16 minutes of hd per session to show for it. Even if the video was marginally better then the hdv cameras, the cost does not satisfy the needs. Its simply not practical or versatile for the average pro shooter. IMHO, p2 and the hvx are more of a luxury item then a business tool. My humble opinion will change when p2 memory substantially goes up and prices substantially go down. Like that is going to happen any time soon. No axe to grind here, I just really wonder how people use p2 as a money maker. For the record, I am no fan boy. I would buy a sanyo brand camcorder if it fit the bill.