a question for PDX10 users... at DVinfo.net

Cooleye Hu · October 12th, 2003, 10:29 PM

I have just ordered a PDX10, and now I am wondering whether I should use DVCAM instead of DV tapes? I have heard that the DVCAM machine's megnitized head is different fromthe DV megnitized head, and if you use the dv tpaes to record SP, it will make DVCAM magnitized head to do more work for it...

So usually shall I always use DVCAM tapes in order to protect the expensive heads in PDX10?

Tom Hardwick · October 13th, 2003, 03:56 AM

Use normal Mini DV tapes and you'll be fine. You can't record in LP, but so what? And you heard wrong - the PDX10 has one set of heads that does all the digital recording, whether you record in DVCAM or DV.

If a client has lined up a crew for you then undoubtedly switch to DVCAM for its increased robustness. It will offer you precious little more.

tom.

Ignacio Rodriguez · October 13th, 2003, 09:19 AM

I have used several MiniDV cameras for years and have *never* lost a frame at normal DV-SP. Of course LP is a whole different story. In my opinion DVCAM is mostly just Sony trying to add a feature for 'pro' users to justify the higher price of pro equipment. Note though: the manual on my PDX10 suggest that audio is unlocked when in DV mode and locked only when in DVCAM mode (which is strange since JVC pro DV cameras seem to have no problem writing locked audio to miniDV tapes). I have yet to find a way to confirm this. Since the clock circuitry is there, I see no reason for audio to be unlocked at all... but that's just me ;-)

Boyd Ostroff · October 13th, 2003, 12:19 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Ignacio Rodriguez : In my opinion DVCAM is mostly just Sony trying to add a feature for 'pro' users to justify the higher price of pro equipment. -->>>

As the largest manufacturer of magnetic media, do you think that Sony might also have a vested interest in a format that consumes 50% more tape than standard DV? ;-)

I have always been a bit skeptical about DVCAM myself. However when I recently had a "once in a lifetime" chance to shoot some location footage with a bunch of people I did use DVCAM mode. As I drove home it dawned on me that all this hard work on everyone's part resided on two $6.00 tapes. Considering this, well, sure I'll take every available precaution to insure the integrity of my data!

Getting back to the original question of which type of tape to use, from what I've read here and on other forums, most people shoot in DVCAM mode but use regular mini-DV cassettes. This works fine for me as well.

Regarding the other issues such as locked audio, Adam Wilts site has some good information. Also check out this Sony brochure: http://www.sony.ca/dvcam/pdfs/dvcam%...20overview.pdf

Ignacio Rodriguez · October 13th, 2003, 12:32 PM

> As I drove home it dawned on me that all this hard work on everyone's
> part resided on two $6.00 tapes. Considering this, well, sure I'll take
> every available precaution to insure the integrity of my data!

You are right of course. The media is so inexpensive anyway... and my old non-DVCAM PC3 does somehow play back DVCAM flawlessly :-)

Patrick Grealy · October 14th, 2003, 02:46 AM

I sometimes shoot stage musicals whose acts run to 60 minutes, hence the DVCAM tapes (limited to 40mins) won't suffice.

I revert to normal miniDV tapes.

Just one other thing to note regarding DVCAM tapes!

Regards P

October 12th, 2003, 10:29 PM	#1
Cooleye Hu Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: china Posts: 30	a question for PDX10 users... I have just ordered a PDX10, and now I am wondering whether I should use DVCAM instead of DV tapes? I have heard that the DVCAM machine's megnitized head is different fromthe DV megnitized head, and if you use the dv tpaes to record SP, it will make DVCAM magnitized head to do more work for it... So usually shall I always use DVCAM tapes in order to protect the expensive heads in PDX10?

October 13th, 2003, 09:19 AM	#3
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	I have used several MiniDV cameras for years and have never lost a frame at normal DV-SP. Of course LP is a whole different story. In my opinion DVCAM is mostly just Sony trying to add a feature for 'pro' users to justify the higher price of pro equipment. Note though: the manual on my PDX10 suggest that audio is unlocked when in DV mode and locked only when in DVCAM mode (which is strange since JVC pro DV cameras seem to have no problem writing locked audio to miniDV tapes). I have yet to find a way to confirm this. Since the clock circuitry is there, I see no reason for audio to be unlocked at all... but that's just me ;-) __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

October 13th, 2003, 12:32 PM	#5
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	> As I drove home it dawned on me that all this hard work on everyone's > part resided on two $6.00 tapes. Considering this, well, sure I'll take > every available precaution to insure the integrity of my data! You are right of course. The media is so inexpensive anyway... and my old non-DVCAM PC3 does somehow play back DVCAM flawlessly :-) __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

October 14th, 2003, 02:46 AM	#6
Patrick Grealy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 90	DVCAM and time limited to 40 mins I sometimes shoot stage musicals whose acts run to 60 minutes, hence the DVCAM tapes (limited to 40mins) won't suffice. I revert to normal miniDV tapes. Just one other thing to note regarding DVCAM tapes! Regards P __________________ Sony PDX10 by 2, DRS-11, Dual G5, FCX, DVDSP and Logic Plat. www.VarsityMusicVideo.com

October 13th, 2003, 03:56 AM	#2
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Use normal Mini DV tapes and you'll be fine. You can't record in LP, but so what? And you heard wrong - the PDX10 has one set of heads that does all the digital recording, whether you record in DVCAM or DV. If a client has lined up a crew for you then undoubtedly switch to DVCAM for its increased robustness. It will offer you precious little more. tom.

October 13th, 2003, 12:19 PM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	<<<-- Originally posted by Ignacio Rodriguez : In my opinion DVCAM is mostly just Sony trying to add a feature for 'pro' users to justify the higher price of pro equipment. -->>> As the largest manufacturer of magnetic media, do you think that Sony might also have a vested interest in a format that consumes 50% more tape than standard DV? ;-) I have always been a bit skeptical about DVCAM myself. However when I recently had a "once in a lifetime" chance to shoot some location footage with a bunch of people I did use DVCAM mode. As I drove home it dawned on me that all this hard work on everyone's part resided on two $6.00 tapes. Considering this, well, sure I'll take every available precaution to insure the integrity of my data! Getting back to the original question of which type of tape to use, from what I've read here and on other forums, most people shoot in DVCAM mode but use regular mini-DV cassettes. This works fine for me as well. Regarding the other issues such as locked audio, Adam Wilts site has some good information. Also check out this Sony brochure: http://www.sony.ca/dvcam/pdfs/dvcam%...20overview.pdf