Long Play V Normal Play ?

[Bansaw]

Is there much quality loss between Long Play and Normal play modes?

I'm videoing a conference speaker and am wondering about shooting Long Play (something I've not done before).
I've got a decent camcorder: the Canon GL2. MiniDV tapes are JVC.

How much quality loss would there be?
Any comments?

[JohnnyMalaria]

Quality differences in terms of video artifacts etc, none.

Quality differences in terms of reliability - some. LP DV recordings often suffer from not playing properly on an different cam/deck from the one that made the recording.

Also, because the tape runs slower, you are more suspect to problems due to drop-outs.

The conventional wisdom is don't use LP.

[Marvingj]

Check these out, should give you the additional information you're looking for:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=276213
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=280934

[IKnowNothing]

If it helps I only ever use LP on my JVC and have never any problems - but I only play it on the camera and use DV to transfer to DVD or PC.

I can see that the slower tape speed will mean that an tape problem will cover more data and therefore last longer but I think it's a risk worth taking rather than miss recording a whole event. I alos only use the tape a couple of times before archiving them since I believe this maximises the chances of the tapes working in LP.

Someone is bound to disagree with me but my opinion is it's down to personal choice. Personally I go for fewer tapes and then transfer to DVD or whatever for distribution.

[Bansaw]

Thanks for your help guys.

It looks like I am OK to use LP if I transfer it quicky to my PC.
The compatibility thing isn't an issue for me. I'll just tranfer it quick.

I feel I have to use it since my speaker is speaking for 1hr30mins at a time.
Thanks.