Can I accidentally record standard video?
 

I got this camera
HDR-HC3
for HD, of course.
Need to know:
Is there a possiblity one could accidentally record to Standard DV if one puts in a HD tape? thanks

DV Tape, HDV Tape, HD tape are all the same. All will record DV standard or HDV.

What matters is what your settings on the camera are. I don't know the HC3, but with FX1 a blue light with lettering comes on to denote HDV being set. Settings are in the menu, and I assume similar for the HC#

On the HC1, in the upper left-hand corner, it tells you what format you're recording in, which is HDV1080i if you're recording in HDV. It should be similar for the HC3.

thanks Guys, Chris, I'm not a Chris, but I guess that's ok, no?

Yes, it says 1080, that is very cool. I have to say this camera is layed out so much better,than other camcorders I've used, included 3 chips by Canon etc.

Now, what about dubbing?

What is the indicator for that?
Sometimes I may use 2 of these cameras for dubbing regular old tape.
and sometimes for dubbing HD to HD.
I don't want to screw that up and find out later my HD dubs came out standard.