DV vs DVCAM tape at DVinfo.net

Pat Chaney · April 12th, 2004, 05:25 PM

I'm just about to buy my first camcorder, probably a PD170. I've been doing a lot of reading on various aspects of cameras, tapes etc. but there is one thing I'm still uncertain about.

I understand that the PD170 can record using miniDV or DVCAM mode, using a miniDV tape, and that the latter will only give 40 mins recording time. Assuming this is correct, what is the benefit of using dedicated DVCAM tapes, which seem considerably more expensive than miniDV tapes?

And if this is just a quality/drop-out thing is there any point in using DVCAM mode on a miniDV tape?

Thanks for any clarification on this.

Frank Granovski · April 12th, 2004, 10:03 PM

DVCAM tape is a little hardier, or so it's claimed.

April 12th, 2004, 05:25 PM	#1
Pat Chaney Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 107	DV vs DVCAM tape I'm just about to buy my first camcorder, probably a PD170. I've been doing a lot of reading on various aspects of cameras, tapes etc. but there is one thing I'm still uncertain about. I understand that the PD170 can record using miniDV or DVCAM mode, using a miniDV tape, and that the latter will only give 40 mins recording time. Assuming this is correct, what is the benefit of using dedicated DVCAM tapes, which seem considerably more expensive than miniDV tapes? And if this is just a quality/drop-out thing is there any point in using DVCAM mode on a miniDV tape? Thanks for any clarification on this.

April 12th, 2004, 10:03 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	DVCAM tape is a little hardier, or so it's claimed.