Sony pd170 dvcam tapes or mini dv « Videomaker Community Forums

Iluvideo
Member

Which tapes are you using? Currently I only use the mini dvcam tapes. Granted I don't do that much shooting with my camera ...yet. I am about to start taping services at my church. My problem is I only have the one camera. Using the dvcam tapes I only have a 40 min tape. My Pastor usually preaches for longer than that. I'd really like to have everything on one tape so I won't miss anything while trying to switch tapes.

Any suggestions???

PLUS where do you buy your dvcam tapes from??? Not trying to buy in mass quantity but I still want to find a good price...if possible.

Posted 5 years ago #
;0)
Member

I usually record an external firewire hd with my macbook, while recording to tape when possible. Swapping tapes doesn't intefere with recording. tapes get used by themselves when that isn't possible.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

You can use miniDV and set to LP. That will give you 90 minutes. Despite what some books say, you won't lose any quality - at least not any that I've been able to detect with my testing. According to Sony, you only lose the ability to use in-camera digital effects. No serious shooter would use those anyway. Also, despite the ability to record more data per frame, I don't believe you'll be able to detect even the slightest bit of quality difference between miniDV and dvCam. If you're pastor goes beyond 90 minutes your viewers will likely be nodding off and not notice the few seconds you'll lose with a tape change! X-D

Posted 5 years ago #
Iluvideo
Member

LOL I'm sure your correct, if it goes over 90 I don't think the tape change will matter.
I think the 90 should be more than enough time. I think I will get mini DV tapes for the services and switch my settings as you suggested.

Posted 5 years ago #
jimbodeanny
Member

The Sony PD-170 does not record nor play in LP format. Check the manual it states it in bold. In any case you'd still want to stick with SP regardless. LP is much more prone to dropouts and frame loss as well as degradation. Stick with 60min or less tapes and just practice a system of changing the tapes. When I do events that I figure might run over 60min, I'll time myself for how long it'll take to change the tapes. I also use more than camera. This gives you a little bit of breathing room as well. PD-170s are great cameras. I've never regretted buying one

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Thanks for the info about PD170 not doing LP, I hadn't heard that before.

We cover weddings with 2-manned and one unmanned camera - ceremony and reception. In all the time I've been doing it this way, I've always put the static cam in LP mode and not once have I ever seen any kind of problem. Maybe the dropouts were all in footage that was cut out. Maybe there weren't any dropouts.

Posted 5 years ago #