minidv tape - does it matter?

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Level 1

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minidv tape - does it matter?

Not all dvds are the same so what about mini dv tape? I'm recording my hi8 analog tapes to dv by using the a/v passthrough on a dv camcorder I've borrowed. Just want to know if there are some tapes I should stay away from, what's generally recommended . . . or if it really matters? Thx.

iMac 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo/MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-85J, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jan 31, 2008 7:13 PM

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Answer 1

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tilman

Level 4

1,235 points

Jan 31, 2008 10:01 PM in response to ipodguy007

It sounds like you are recording your analog tapes onto a DV tape, and then capturing to your computer from the tape. That's actually not "passthrough". In passthrough mode, you don't use any tapes at all, but just use the DV camcorder to convert the signals.

DV tape brand doesn't matter much. Use SP (60 minutes) recording mode, and stay away from LP (90 minutes) mode. Tapes recorded in LP mode are difficult or impossible to play back in a camcorder other than the one it was recorded with.

The common recommendation regarding tapes is to stick with one brand in your camcorder. There have been reports in the past that different tape manufacturers use different lubrication fluids for their tapes, and mixing tapes in the same camcorder did create problems for some people because the fluids somehow reacted. And don't

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Answer 2

Jan 31, 2008 11:24 PM in response to ipodguy007

In my HI8 days, I experimented with various brands such as Sony, Maxell, TDK etc and found Sony to be the best. This has followed me in Mini DV tapes. I have also used Panasonic tapes, since I have a Panasonic Video Mini DV camera, and have found them to be fine also.

I never re-use tapes, and call me a snob if you like, but I always buy the most expensive ones. Probably not relevant, but let face it, compared to FILM, video tapes are cheap !

In digital, there may be not so much differences between brands, but in HI8 analogue, there certainly was.

Good luck
jc

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Answer 3

Feb 1, 2008 3:51 PM in response to ipodguy007

You can get some good deals if you buy your tape online, say with B&H Photo. Buy several boxes of the brand you choose (I like Panasonic MQ tapes) and you won't have to worry about buying again soon and it saves on the shipping.

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Answer 4

J Keller

Level 4

2,750 points

Jan 31, 2008 11:22 PM in response to ipodguy007

When a tape is recorded with a 12-bit audio setting, it can lose sync when imported into iMovie so you'll want to make sure your camcorder's audio setting is 16-bit. It will be higher quality and easier to work with when the video is edited.
John

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Answer 5

tilman

Level 4

1,235 points

Feb 1, 2008 11:08 AM in response to ipodguy007

Yes, copying all your Hi8 tapes onto DV tapes makes sense. That's what I did myself when I converted to DV. Once you have that done, you can always get back to your original footage at full quality without having to keep a working Hi8 camcorder.

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Answer 6

ipodguy007 Author

Level 1

120 points

Feb 1, 2008 8:14 AM in response to tilman

tilman --thanks for correcting me on the "pass through" issue. I didn't know that's how it worked. Still learning . . .

I have about 25 hi8 tapes I want to convert and I thought it would be more efficient to first record directly to the mini dv tape and later selectively import into iMovie. I don't have an external unit yet and only about 200 gigs of HD space. Besides, I want to have an archived copy of the original on dv tape. Would you agree?

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