miniDV decks or a good camera for playback

[cp2k]

I've got several miniDV tapes of sports games that were recorded on a miniDV deck that I need to dub over to DVD. I've checked into the mini DV walkman prices but they appear to be much higher than the Digital8 equivalents.

My question is this... if you're just playing back to DVD will nearly any miniDV camera net the same quality or are some better than others? Is there any place that still sells the older video walkman model without the screen?

I know some cameras are better than others because of circutry, etc when it comes to recording but will the playback be equivalent on all of them?

[edDV]

The differences in the tape side are more to do with shuttle speed and interchange rather than raw playback quality. They are all very good. I'm confused as to whether you are asking about

MiniDV camcorders,
Digital8 camcorders or
MiniDV stand alone players.

standalone player is the most expensive and shuttles the fastest.


Then there are the pro models

Sony http://www.zotzdigital.com/index.php?cid=156&
Panasonic http://www.zotzdigital.com/index.php?cid=158

[cp2k]

well I'm asking about miniDV>... I'd prefer a deck for obvious reasons, but if you're telling me a camera is capable of producing playback just as good then that might work fine.

Price is my priority here... the cheapest miniDV DECK I can find is the video walkman with a screen at $999, which is outside my budget.

[edDV]

see edits above

camcoders will play back with near equal quality
decks will shuttle faster

[Karate Media]

I use a Panasonic DV53 (bought new for less than $300) as a deck with no problems. In addition to ed's comments, some professionals will frown upon using cheap cams as decks because they are not manufactured to handle constant wear. But for your needs, a simple, cheap miniDV camera should do the trick.

EDIT: Just to clarify, the DV53 is a low-end consumer miniDV camera. Wasn't sure if that was clear...

[edDV]

This is the latest consumer stand alone player
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...WDVW#top_image

[Karate Media]

Hmmm... $1150 vs $300 -- you make the call

By the way, cp2k, why do you say, "I'd prefer a deck for obvious reasons"? If this is a one time, transferring DV to DVD, non-professional sort of thing, why would you prefer a deck? Or do you have long-term needs for it?

[upshot]

I really like my JVC hr-dvs3 It was about 2x the cost of a cheepo camera but has alot more features and it's a s-vhs deck to boot...

[n8patrick]

That is what I wanted to hear, is someone mention the JVC deck. I am wishing I had the money NOW to afford one, but will wait till I get paid for the two projects I am doing in order to do so, but those decks look like they would be great to have. Like you said, not only MiniDV but also get an S-VHS deck out of the deal that will link directly to my PC for editing/capturing purposes! If you have any more infor to give us on your JVC deck, I would like to hear it!

[cp2k]

thanks for the input guys, that dual miniDV/S-VHS deck looks like a possible winner.

The price tag is a little steep but I could use a good new VCR deck for conversions down the road anyway.

How does the firewire OUTPUT on the dual deck perform for playing back to a pc?

[edDV]

So upshot, what does this JVC HR-DVS3U combo player do?

The JVC website is very vague and the manual won't download.
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?model...hId=49&page=3#

"HR-DVS3U
Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $1399.95

The HR-DVS3U is a unique all-in-one video solution combining miniDV and Super Hi-Fi Stereo in one VCR. . Enjoy high quality and creative convenience with this double-deck featuring easy playback of Mini DV, automatic editing from Mini DV to Super VHS/VHS, and extensive connectivity with Non-Linear Editing systems. "

- "Random Assemble Editing (DV to S-VHS), One-Touch Dubbing (both ways)"

So it will assemble edit DV to S-VHS. Most of us want to go the other way.

- "One-Touch Dubbing (both ways)"

So how does it do dubbing S-VHS and VHS to the DV deck? Is the TBC in the loop and is it any good?

- "DV Input/Output (i.Link IEEE1394)"

Does this mean S-VHS and VHS play direct into DV IEEE-1394? Is it similar to DV pass through on a camcorder? Is the TBC in the loop?

- "Easy PC Connectivity and Non Linear Editing Compatibility"

What does that mean? Is there transport control of the S-VHS deck through IEEE-1394?

- "DigiPure Technology with 2MB Frame Memory"

What does that mean? A single frame of 525 line DV video is 345.6 to 378KB and 625 line is 414.7 to 450KB depending on inclusion of the vertical interval. Is this a frame sync?

[cp2k]

I got the manual to download just fine...

http://books.jvcservice.com/download...5759/26026.pdf