MiniDV versus non-linear Camcorder

[bowmah]

So, the good old Panny MiniDV is still working but the time may come that it needs to be replaced. What is the consensus with the future of linear media like MiniDV. I dread thinking about this type of media disappearing as I have quite a few of these tapes!

So the million dollar question, should one buy a MiniDV today in hopes that if it does become extinct in the near future, we still have a somewhat newer unit to play and transfer video to the digital realm (harddrive)?

Using SD cards is very convenient but there is no "master" backup unless you continuously buy SD cards. I am just afraid that MiniDV is on it's way out! What is the consensus these days?

[minidv2dvd]

i can't foresee the future, but i for one am counting on miniDV and HDV to stick around
i certainly am not going to buy into any other current format for now, as they all have more drawbacks than benefits.

[bowmah]

Which formats and what kind of drawbacks? Can you give some examples?

[bowmah]

So is MiniDV going to be phased out? Sure seems like it with all the newer camcorders being HHD & solid state media. Anyone know for sure?

[minidv2dvd]

most HD on hard drive, memory stick or disc is highly compressed mpeg-2, avc, h264, etc. it's not very good for editing or converting to another format.

i doubt miniDV is going anywhere, as it's a proven format that works.

[lgh529]

I don't see MiniDV going out fast. but I'm sure that as digital TV hits next year, that standard definition cams will slowly go away.

I also don't think HDV will go away either. It is still the format of choice for quality cams. This may not be the case in lower price point models, but in more advanced cameras, it probably won't go away anytime soon.

Just my thoughts.

[bowmah]

So to be clear, HDV is the format and MiniDV is the media type correct? If I am not mistaken, aren't high def camcorders still capable of recording on MiniDV (ie. Canon VIXIA HV30)? Is that still considered HDV? Wanted to make sure I am getting all of this correctly.

[minidv2dvd]

So to be clear, HDV is the format and MiniDV is the media type correct? If I am not mistaken, aren't high def camcorders still capable of recording on MiniDV (ie. Canon VIXIA HV30)? Is that still considered HDV? Wanted to make sure I am getting all of this correctly.

you are correct. miniDV tapes are used in both SD and HD cams. the formats are DV and HDV.

[bowmah]

So anymore thoughts on if miniDV is on it's way out. Just had a browse through the top manufacturers and looks like HDD & SD cards are the choise of storage media. Doh!

[edDV]

So anymore thoughts on if miniDV is on it's way out. Just had a browse through the top manufacturers and looks like HDD & SD cards are the choise of storage media. Doh!

You need to optimize for your own work flow. Don't follow the masses.

You may see MiniDV drop in market share but since you have a large inventory of MiniDV tapes, you would benefit from a new HDV camcorder that can play your old tapes as well as HDV. A camcorder like the Canon HV30 can shoot HDV or DV including DV Wide. If you shoot in HDV, you can still output from the camcorder in DV format over IEEE-1394 so it is compatible with your existing software. It will also transfer as HDV when you are ready to edit HD.

Switching to AVCHD requires you also invest in an editing/authoring solution for that format. You will find that can be expensive and less integrated than the DV/HDV approach. HDV also has an upgrade path to pro XDCAM EX which does support Flash Ram recording. I expect XDCAM EX to move down market as a mainstream flash RAM prosumer format.