Tips on choosing MiniDV deck with FireWire?

[SHGMC_2]

Hi there. It's been a long time since I've posted here.

We have a miniDV capture job and, for that, we had a Sony Handycam DCR-HC38. However, starting last Friday as I just started the job, it started giving me the (dreaded?) C:31:23 error (the "White Lock Pin" error) and I've been barely able to rewind the last tape I had to do for the day. Coming back this morning after a long weekend, the camera wouldn't take another tape.

So, I have questions. If we are to acquire a new deck for miniDV / DV / HDV capture, we'd love a more professional setup than with a consumer camera for a few reasons:
1. Professional devices have better reliability and,
2. Covering more formats (standard L-size DV tape, HDV, etc.)

Looking through ebay is one thing but I haven't found a good place to read on good decks either. Also, compatibility with Scenalyzer and HDV Split (if HDV is supported) is important as we have no computer that is able to host either Apple Final Cut or Adobe Premiere for other ways to capture the digital video off the tape.

I know that you peeps are more into analog video formats but I still hope it's OK to ask here.

Thanks.

[Hushpower]

Quote:

Also, compatibility with Scenalyzer and HDV Split (if HDV is supported)

HDV is a completely different format to DV and requires HDVSplit to transfer off tape. Scenalyzer and WinDV will not work with HDV.

[SHGMC_2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hushpower

HDV is a completely different format to DV and requires HDVSplit to transfer off tape. Scenalyzer and WinDV will not work with HDV.

Well, yes. That's what I said in what you quoted. (but badly worded)

[Hushpower]

Apologies; reading too fast.

[Hushpower]

Latreche raised an interesting point recently, which is that a privately-owned camcorder may not be as "worn-out" as a "professional" deck. You'd obviously need a separate HDV cam but something like an HV40 would be young in the scheme of things and may not be used as much as a deck.

[timtape]

I agree. As a rule, camcorders will be less worn in major components like video heads and drums simply due to lower hours of tape run through them. "Pro" machines tend to have received a hammering in a pro work environment.

[SHGMC_2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hushpower

Latreche raised an interesting point recently, which is that a privately-owned camcorder may not be as "worn-out" as a "professional" deck. You'd obviously need a separate HDV cam but something like an HV40 would be young in the scheme of things and may not be used as much as a deck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by timtape

I agree. As a rule, camcorders will be less worn in major components like video heads and drums simply due to lower hours of tape run through them. "Pro" machines tend to have received a hammering in a pro work environment.

You have good points.
But still, the machines that have, say, DVCPRO or DVCPRO50/50 Progressive sub-formats compatibility, those weren't consumer formats and were only on pro decks. It's the kind of compability broadening we want to look at and we're ready to spend the dollars to get good machines with lower amounts of tape time if possible. And, also, large tape size such as the "Large", "XL" DV tapes variants. Not just the mini. As far as I know, I haven't seen any consumer DV cameras with them at all.

As for HDV, it's much of the same really. We would get a deck exclusively for the HDV format and some compability with other tape formats.

[latreche34]

Some of the pro decks have use hour meters on them, you can ask the seller to provide that information, For DVCAM, DV and HDV I use the Sony HVR-M15AU.