Output DV footage back to camera - "resume" needed!

[Raga]

I've done processing some DV files and want to output them back to tapes. However, to my great dismay, I find that WinDV, DVIO and the such have no option to "resume". Like this:

File 1: 55 min
File 2: 45 min
File 3: 52 min
File 4: 55 min

Obviously I would like to do it like this (with LP):

Tape 1: File 1 (55 min) + File 2 (35 min)
Tape 2: File 2 (10 min) + File 3 (52 min) + File 4 (28 min)
Tape 3: File 4 (27 min)

Like this. Please help me out, I really REALLY don't want to start cutting the files with VDub into proper sized chunks, nor do I want to wait 30 min or whatever until I press REC on my camcorder.

[guns1inger]

I don't know of any application that does this, or anyone here that would recommend you use LP mode on your camera. If you want it in that form, you will have to edit it to do so.

[Raga]

I guess I'll have to bite, then, and VDub.

What exactly is the issue with LP, I've never gotten to the bottom of this? The bitrate is the same, which I understand as meaning that the quality is the same. I've never had any issues with errors due to data being tighter on the tape. (There seem to be older topics on this, too.)

[guns1inger]

The bitrate is the same, however the data is packed closer together in order to get the extra data into the same space, and error checking is forgone to allow this to happen. The upshot is that playback and archiving are a lot less reliable, the tapes are less likely to playback successfully in other machines (and you current one isn't going to be around forever), and as the tape stretches, it may stop playing the machine that recorded it. Most experienced people just see the risk of loss as being too high.

[Raga]

On what basis do you say it is "a lot less reliable" - could you please refer to a source?

Is there anyone out here who has actually had problems with using LP?

[guns1inger]

One of my clients shoot a lot of DV for internal use. There is one group that listens and never use LP. They also never have problems with their footage. The other group do use LP all the time, and lose footage in probably 1 tape in 3. This is consistent behaviour. There are any number of posts here where LP has resulted in difficulties in retrieving the footage back from tape without drop outs and other quality issues.

Frankly though, I don't give a flying rat's if you believe me or not - it's not my footage that will get lost.

[Raga]

I'm just curious if people have been having issues. I've shot a few dozen tapes on LP and haven't had any issues.

However, come to think of it, let me archive on SP, since indeed this machine isn't going to be around forever. Thanks for the point.

[slacker]

The LP issue really pops its ugly head up when you switch playback devices, i.e. camcorders and decks, and especially if you switch manufacturers. This is where most problems are identified.

You could backup (rather than print) your DV files to tape using Firestreamer? I haven't tried it personally, but ...

[Raga]

Uh, that would add an unpleasant software dependency then...

Otherwise, looks like an interesting piece of software! Any experiences, anyone?

[seinman]

Scenalyzer Live can do exactly what you're looking for.