dvcam and minidv

[iceberg66]

the tapes look the same. Can I play a dvcam tape in the same machine that i play the dvmini tape?

just courious
Thanks

[JimJohnD]

Most likely. I have a Sony DSR-PDX10 and shoot all my footage in DVCAM mode to miniDV tapes. There are two main differences between DVCAM and standard miniDV. One is that DVCAM moves the tape at a speed faster. You can only record 40min to a 60min miniDV tape. If you have drop-outs on your tape they will affect a much smaller duration of your recording. Two is that the Audio and Video are "Locked" together during recording so you should NEVER have A/V sync issues. If you are using the DVCAM tapes that are the same size as miniDV the only differance I can think of is perhaps the tape has a better formula for the tape. I myself only use Sony miniDV tapes and have never had any problems. As far as playing a DVCAM tape back on a miniDV camera/deck, it would have to support DVCAM to match the speed.

[Bucky_Katt]

You can playback a miniDV tape in a DVCAM machine, but not all all miniDV machines will play back DVCAM. I have only seen Sony and Panasonic decks that will playback in DVCAM mode.

[iceberg66]

Thanks for your info