The Gigantic Mini DV Deck / Camcorder as Deck Thread

DaleReeck · April 21st, 2002, 10:26 AM

I think I'm going to try out the JVC DV120 model. It's pretty cheap at $499 but has some nice specs, 520 lines, 680k pixel CCD, nice looking output, good reviews etc.

Hixsters · May 31st, 2002, 07:12 AM

I read in the posts that you can use a mini-dv camera as a cheap deck if you don't want use a camera like the XL-1 durring the editing process. The wear and tear can be avoided by use of a cheaper dv- camera. I see some great buys on e-bay.Does the use of the i-link degrade the signal? Will the timecode show up on the tape using these cheaper cameras?Is there any considerations I should be aware of concerning the quality of the transfer between the camera and my computer? I assume D.V. is all the same concerning transfer to computer

Edward Troxel · May 31st, 2002, 11:02 AM

Any MiniDV camera will transfer the same signal over the firewire port as any expensive camera or deck. However, if you actually purchased a deck you may find it more useful than you think. The main reason is the shuttling/RR/FF speed. Our deck is MUCH faster rewinding, fast forwarding, and shuttling back and forth on the tape than any deck I have used. This makes a true deck a pleasure to use.

Justin Chin · May 31st, 2002, 12:06 PM

Edward:
What deck do you have?

Ken Tanaka · May 31st, 2002, 03:02 PM

Yes, you can use an inexpensive camera as a "deck". As Edward noted, the iLink/IEEE1394/Firewire signal your computer will receive and send will be absolutely identical to the one it would get from an expensive deck.

But, also as noted by Edward, the tape transport mechanism for a deck is designed specifically for the type of start/stop/variable motion rate that capture and edit processes often demand. They move the tape much quicker, and often more precisely, than a camera.

Before you buy a cheap cam as your deck consider that if you plan to use the cam-deck frequently (say 6-12 hrs/wk) for your captures assume that it will probably break-down in a year or two. After all, the reason that the camera was inexpensive to begin with is partly due to the quality of the camera's tape transport. So, over, say, a 5 yr. period you should realistically double the price of the cam-deck to decide the true cost of this option.

Conversely, you can buy a pretty good miniDV deck for about $900 which will last at least 5yrs and outperform any cam-deck. Personally, I use a Panasonic AG-DV1000 and have liked it very much. If I had to make the purchase again I might have selected a higher-end Sony to get DVCAM compatibility.

Ford Minton · June 1st, 2002, 04:23 PM

Where did you find a DV deck for $900?

Ford Minton
DV gear whore

Ken Tanaka · June 1st, 2002, 04:36 PM

That's about the price of the Panasonic deck I noted. Check at B&H and other places.

Hixsters · June 2nd, 2002, 02:00 PM

Yes, A dv deck is in the near future. For now a mini camcorder will have to do. Thanks for the reply.

Hixsters · June 3rd, 2002, 12:30 AM

Just to make sure. Once I have edited my material in the computer I can then output via the I link(1394) to any inexpensive camcorder?

Edward Troxel · June 3rd, 2002, 12:36 PM

Justin,

I use a Panasonic AG-DV2000 - the big brother to the one Ken mentioned (DV1000). It has a few additional features including the ability to use the large size DV tapes. Another reason for having the DV2000 is because I purchased it before the DV1000 was released. I have been VERY pleased with this deck.

Michael Chen · June 15th, 2002, 10:29 AM

Hi,
Just wondering, anyone know what is the lifespan of the xl1s deck?
And if it wears off, how much does it take to repair it?

Bradley Miller · June 16th, 2002, 12:52 AM

EdwardTr,

What's the rough price on the Panasonic AG-DV2000?

Chris Hurd · June 16th, 2002, 10:29 AM

The Panasonic AG-DV2000 deck should be running right around $2000, although I have seen it for $1900 on occasion. $2200 would not be too much to pay. These decks can be hard to find sometime. Call Pro-Tape in Austin, Houston or San Antonio; they're a dealer for these decks. www.pro-tape.com

Edward Troxel · June 17th, 2002, 02:31 PM

Brad,

I agree with Chris. The AG-DV2000 runs about $2000.

June 17th, 2002, 04:11 PM

Hello, I am new to this forum and thrilled it is here.
I am using the JVC VS-20 Deck via Firewire to a Sony RX380 digital studio running Premiere 6.2 software. When I first connected the deck, using the firewire that came with the computer (5 ft 3in) I received an error message saying the computer was looking for a driver. JVC said they do not have a driver for the deck. I needed a longer firewire cable to "clean up" my desk, so I bought a 10 ft. cable and guess what? The problem went away. However, when I try to "lay back" to tape using a specific timecode, it will not work. The computer seems to try to run the deck, but it locks up. The only way I can "lay back" to tape is to put the tape in record/pause, play the timeline, and record. So, if I would like to replace a segment of the program on tape, I can't. Anyone have this problem?

May 31st, 2002, 07:12 AM	#32
Hixsters New Boot Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Studio City Posts: 9	dv deck I read in the posts that you can use a mini-dv camera as a cheap deck if you don't want use a camera like the XL-1 durring the editing process. The wear and tear can be avoided by use of a cheaper dv- camera. I see some great buys on e-bay.Does the use of the i-link degrade the signal? Will the timecode show up on the tape using these cheaper cameras?Is there any considerations I should be aware of concerning the quality of the transfer between the camera and my computer? I assume D.V. is all the same concerning transfer to computer

May 31st, 2002, 12:06 PM	#34
Justin Chin Major Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 227	Edward: What deck do you have? __________________ justin www.monsterrocket.com Filmmaker \| Cinematographer

May 31st, 2002, 03:02 PM	#35
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yes, you can use an inexpensive camera as a "deck". As Edward noted, the iLink/IEEE1394/Firewire signal your computer will receive and send will be absolutely identical to the one it would get from an expensive deck. But, also as noted by Edward, the tape transport mechanism for a deck is designed specifically for the type of start/stop/variable motion rate that capture and edit processes often demand. They move the tape much quicker, and often more precisely, than a camera. Before you buy a cheap cam as your deck consider that if you plan to use the cam-deck frequently (say 6-12 hrs/wk) for your captures assume that it will probably break-down in a year or two. After all, the reason that the camera was inexpensive to begin with is partly due to the quality of the camera's tape transport. So, over, say, a 5 yr. period you should realistically double the price of the cam-deck to decide the true cost of this option. Conversely, you can buy a pretty good miniDV deck for about $900 which will last at least 5yrs and outperform any cam-deck. Personally, I use a Panasonic AG-DV1000 and have liked it very much. If I had to make the purchase again I might have selected a higher-end Sony to get DVCAM compatibility. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 1st, 2002, 04:36 PM	#37
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	That's about the price of the Panasonic deck I noted. Check at B&H and other places. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 2nd, 2002, 02:00 PM	#38
Hixsters New Boot Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Studio City Posts: 9	dv deck Yes, A dv deck is in the near future. For now a mini camcorder will have to do. Thanks for the reply.

April 21st, 2002, 10:26 AM	#31
DaleReeck New Boot Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 8	I think I'm going to try out the JVC DV120 model. It's pretty cheap at $499 but has some nice specs, 520 lines, 680k pixel CCD, nice looking output, good reviews etc.

May 31st, 2002, 11:02 AM	#33
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Any MiniDV camera will transfer the same signal over the firewire port as any expensive camera or deck. However, if you actually purchased a deck you may find it more useful than you think. The main reason is the shuttling/RR/FF speed. Our deck is MUCH faster rewinding, fast forwarding, and shuttling back and forth on the tape than any deck I have used. This makes a true deck a pleasure to use.

June 1st, 2002, 04:23 PM	#36
Ford Minton Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San francisco Posts: 54	Where did you find a DV deck for $900? Ford Minton DV gear whore

June 3rd, 2002, 12:30 AM	#39
Hixsters New Boot Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Studio City Posts: 9	dv deck Just to make sure. Once I have edited my material in the computer I can then output via the I link(1394) to any inexpensive camcorder?

June 3rd, 2002, 12:36 PM	#40
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Justin, I use a Panasonic AG-DV2000 - the big brother to the one Ken mentioned (DV1000). It has a few additional features including the ability to use the large size DV tapes. Another reason for having the DV2000 is because I purchased it before the DV1000 was released. I have been VERY pleased with this deck.

June 15th, 2002, 10:29 AM	#41
Michael Chen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 163	Hi, Just wondering, anyone know what is the lifespan of the xl1s deck? And if it wears off, how much does it take to repair it?

June 16th, 2002, 12:52 AM	#42
Bradley Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Rockwall, TX, USA Posts: 77	EdwardTr, What's the rough price on the Panasonic AG-DV2000?

June 16th, 2002, 10:29 AM	#43
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	The Panasonic AG-DV2000 deck should be running right around $2000, although I have seen it for $1900 on occasion. $2200 would not be too much to pay. These decks can be hard to find sometime. Call Pro-Tape in Austin, Houston or San Antonio; they're a dealer for these decks. www.pro-tape.com __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 17th, 2002, 02:31 PM	#44
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Brad, I agree with Chris. The AG-DV2000 runs about $2000.

June 17th, 2002, 04:11 PM	#45
jjprescott Posts: n/a	Using the JVC SR-VS20 Deck Hello, I am new to this forum and thrilled it is here. I am using the JVC VS-20 Deck via Firewire to a Sony RX380 digital studio running Premiere 6.2 software. When I first connected the deck, using the firewire that came with the computer (5 ft 3in) I received an error message saying the computer was looking for a driver. JVC said they do not have a driver for the deck. I needed a longer firewire cable to "clean up" my desk, so I bought a 10 ft. cable and guess what? The problem went away. However, when I try to "lay back" to tape using a specific timecode, it will not work. The computer seems to try to run the deck, but it locks up. The only way I can "lay back" to tape is to put the tape in record/pause, play the timeline, and record. So, if I would like to replace a segment of the program on tape, I can't. Anyone have this problem?