| CAN I USE THE DVCAM TAPES IN THE
CONSUMER miniDV CAMCORDER? |
There should be no issues as the only difference is the quality of the
tape. The cassette shape is exactly the same. Panasonic has brought out
a MQ Master
tape to rival the DVCAM, and it is a miniDV tape. Also, because DVCAM
cameras run faster than miniDV cameras, the PDVM-32N actually records 48
minutes and the PDVM-40N records 60 minutes in a miniDV Camera.
Note that most miniDV cameras only fit smaller shell DVCAM tapes (the
smaller shell PDVM-32N
and PDVM-40N
tapes).
Please see the following articles for more information: DVCAM
the Ultimate MiniDV Tape, DVCAM vs. DV
Formats |
View
DVCAM
View
MiniDV |
View DVCAM
Formats | View Mini
DV Formats | Back to Main FAQ |
Back to the Top
| DVCAM - THE ULTIMATE MINI DV TAPE |
|
Looking for the ultimate miniDV Tape... you should be using
Sony's
DVCAM Tape. Why DVCAM? Because it is pro media for both DVCAM and
mini DV cameras. Why is it better .
Lower Dropout Rate
DVCAM media has a 50% lower dropout rate, and a 4-5x improvement in error
rate margin. The chart below clearly shows that the dropout rate of DVCAM
is significantly lower than DV.
 
|
|
Maximum Durability
Although both DVCAM
and DV use DLC technology, the DLC layer for DVCAM is optimized for maximum
durability. It offers a 25% higher level of strength for the type of still frame,
multi pass editing used by professionals.
Still Frame Evaluation - The recorded signal level of DV showed noticeable
loss after 20 minutes in pause. DVCAM held signal level even after 60 minutes.
Editing Simulation - Editing tests have shown that DV media begins to
show picture disturbances after 150 passes. DVCAM shows no noticeable disturbances
or loss in picture quality after 150 passes.
Improved Physical Stability
Magnetic tape is susceptible to expansion and contraction due to temperature
and humidity variations over time. Excessive shrinkage disrupts the position
of the recorded tracks and often results in "Off-Tracking". This simply
means the recorded tracks have shifted and the play heads cannot accurately
read the information. This type of shrinkage is usually associated with long-term
storage.
To minimize the potential of tape shrinkage and recording/playback problems,
DVCAM
media exclusively uses a base material with 50% less shrinkage. The benefit
is added reliability and confidence that the recorded material is there and
will play back even after years of storage under reasonable storage conditions.
Tighter Width Specifications
DVCAM
and DV have a width of 6.35 mm (1/4"). The more uniform the tape width,
the better the record/playback stability and compatibility between recorders.
DVCAM width is held to a tighter tolerance to offer a higher level of reliability
and compatibility. DVCAM uses an ultra-accurate slitting machine to assure correct
tape width.
Maximum Picture & Sound Stability
Friction increases between tape and recorder heads after repeated passes on
the tape. DVCAM
media has a significantly lower friction coefficient than DV. For the professional,
this means greater recorded signal longevity, higher reliability, increased
durability and overall improved performance.
There is a difference when you use DVCAM media. As a professional, you and your
customers deserve to have the best and most reliable end result the format can
provide. When quality videography is at stake, use the media that was designed
for professionals - DVCAM.
View DVCAM
Formats | View Mini
DV Formats | Back to Main FAQ |
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| DVCAM VERSUS DV FORMATS - SONY
TECHPORT ARTICLE |
DVCAM and DV tape compared
If you're reading this, you probably understand that DV and DVCAM tapes and
VTRs are broadly compatible. For example, it is possible to record professional
DVCAM signals onto consumer DV tape. It is also possible to play back a consumer
DV recording on a professional DVCAM VTR. In a pinch, it is possible to use
consumer media in professional DVCAM hardware. But we don't recommend making
a habit of it. Here's why:
Cassette memory. IC-equipped pro models offer four times the memory
of consumer models.
Durability. Pro media has an optimized DLC layer and surface treatment.
This improves performance for editing and long-term archiving.
Dropouts. Controlled surface finishing helps cut DVCAM tape dropouts
in half, compared to consumer DV.
Interchange. Tighter slitting tolerances mean DVCAM tape works
almost flawlessly when recorded on one VTR and played back on another.
Shrinkage. DVCAM tape cuts dimensional shrinkage in half, an important
benefit for archival stability.
Running time difference. DVCAM machines use a transport speed
faster than DV machines. So you'll experience differences between the
marked and actual recording times. For example, a 60-minute DV cassette
holds only 40 minutes of DVCAM footage.
When to Use Which?
From this analysis, we can develop a clear direction on choosing tape:
Consumer hardware. For general shooting, use Sony consumer DV
tape. For critical shoots, archival recording, news stringers or wedding
videography, choose DVCAM tape with or without cassette memory.
Entry-level DVCAM equipment. Users of the DSR-200 and DSR-30 should
choose Sony DVCAM tape with or without memory.
High-end DVCAM equipment. If you use ClipLink operation, you
should choose only Sony DVCAM tape with Cassette Memory.
By following these recommendations, you'll be able to enjoy the full
operational power of your DV and DVCAM hardware. And you'll be making
the most intelligent use of the technology we build into DV and DVCAM
media.
DVCAM - Advanced Metal Evaporated (AME).
Unlike Metal Particle (MP) tape, AME uses pure cobalt, undiluted by nickel.
Unlike MP, AME uses an ultra-fine grain of metal that's vapor-deposited
in a vacuum chamber! And unlike previous Metal Evaporated tape, AME protects
the magnetic grain with Sony's super-hard Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) layer.
The result is a breakthrough in recording density, retentivity and carrier-to-noise
ratio.
AME is a key enabling technology behind the DVCAM system. And it's a
key factor in the DVCAM success story We're pleased to see that demand
for DVCAM media is booming. So we're aggressively adding capacity to our
AME production lines. In the same way, we're adding new DVCAM tape models.
And that's the subject of this TechPort.
With Sony's latest DVCAM tape product introductions
You'll have more options than ever before. You'll be able to record on
DVCAM tape with and without cassette memory. That's in addition to exchanging
tapes between consumer DV and professional DVCAM equipment. And you have
an entire range of Cassette Memory functions in consumer entry-level professional
and high-end pro equipment.
While choice is an undeniably good thing, it can get confusing if you're
not paying close attention. That's why we'll review your DVCAM media options.
We'll cover when to use which media What to expect in compatibility. And
what Cassette Memory functions work on which pieces of Sony hardware.
DVCAM - An expanded line
Sony is responding to customer demand for a more affordable alternative
that does not sacrifice picture quality. We're also accommodating the
latest DVCAM hardware, models which do not include the cassette-memory-dependent
ClipLink feature. So starting in November 97, Sony will be offering DVCAM
tape that does not include Cassette Memory. The result is an extended
line of 14 DVCAM models.
DVCAM - Cassette Memory and Its Uses
The proliferation of DV and DVCAM models means a growing range of applications
for Cassette Memory. Consumer-grade machines can store date and photo
data, which do not make intensive use of Cassette Memory. That's consistent
with the 4 kbit memory Sony builds into IC-equipped consumer tape. Entry-level
professional machines also make moderate demands on the memory chip. However,
a key feature of Sony's top DVCAM models is ClipLink operation, which
makes full use of the 16 kbit memory of Sony's IC-equipped DVCAM tapes.
View DVCAM
Formats | View Mini
DV Formats | Back to Main FAQ |
Back to the Top
| DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DVCPRO, DVCAM,
miniDV, AND DV |
Mini DV, DV
are a consumer format that a number of manufacturers agreed on to become the next
consumer standard. It has been so good a format that many professionals, and semi-professionals
have begun using it. The format uses ME tape. Standard lengths are 30, 60 and
80min for the miniDV and 120, 180 (and some 270min) for the DV. There are also
two speeds in DV and miniDV, so a 80min mini can provide 120min of recording.(Low
quality)
At the same time, Sony & Panasonic brought out their professional
versions, named DVCAM
and DVCPRO.
Sony's professional DVCAM format, although similar to miniDV, runs
50% faster. So, its longest tape in the mini size is 40min. There
is a 184min DVCAM tape, which will run 270 minutes in a DV machine!
Recognition holes in the tape tell the machine what tape you have
loaded. In addition the professional format of DVCPRO and DVCAM
have locked audio.
Panasonic's DVCPRO runs at a faster speed than the Sony DVCAM, but its main
difference is the use of MP tape as opposed to ME. Panasonic, inventors of miniDV
and the ME tape, did not think the tape robust enough for professional use and
chose to go with MP tape. The physical cassette size for DVCPRO is also larger
than miniDV for the shorter lengths... a kind of a 'medium' size. Long lengths
use the same size as DV. MiniDV can be used in a DVCPRO deck, but only with
an adapter, and only for playback. (SB)
| Format |
Bit
Rate |
Resolution
& Sampling |
Compression |
Tape
Width |
Tape
Speed |
Tape
Type |
| DVCPRO |
25Mb/sec |
720x480, 4:1:1 (NTSC)
720x576, 4:1:1 (PAL) |
5:1 |
1/4" |
33.82 mm/sec |
ME |
| DV / Mini DV |
25Mb/sec |
720x480, 4:1:1 (NTSC)
720x576, 4:2:0 (PAL) |
5:1 |
1/4" |
18.812 mm/sec. |
ME |
| DVCAM |
25Mb/sec |
720x480, 4:1:1 (NTSC)
720x576, 4:2:0 (PAL) |
5:1 |
1/4" |
28.193 mm/sec. |
MP |
View
our Mini DV Formats, DVCAM Formats,
DVCPRO Formats, DV
Formats
Back to Main FAQ |
Back to the Top
| What's the difference in Panasonic's new "Master"
Series miniDV? |
Panasonic's new Master MQ series of miniDV
uses their S-AME technology (Super Advanced Metal Evaporation)
to provide 4 times the magnetic particles by reducing the size.
It provides a 1db better output as well as a 1db better S/N
ratio than the standard PQ series. In addition they claim to
have the lowest headwear using their tape.
View
Mini DV Tapes | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
| Why does your Panasonic miniDV look different than others?
|
We only sell the professional series of miniDV
tape. That's the MQ and PQ series. Panasonic does make a
consumer version, EJ. All our tape however is clearly labeled
"Professional".
View
Mini DV Tapes | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
| What's the difference between Sony's PR and EX Series
miniDV? |
The Sony EX miniDV has a
superior Carrier to Noise ratio of about 2db over the PR
View
Mini DV Tapes | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
| I'm wondering if you can tell me what this "chip"
is on some of the higher end miniDV tapes? |
The IC chip in the tape are for use by some camcorders to remember
settings of such things as apertures, f-stops, and other data
etc. It is best to read your camcorder's instruction manual.
If it doesn't offer the IC option or even mention it, don't
spend the extra money for the IC chip, because your camera won't
be able to use it.
View
Mini DV Tapes | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
| Perhaps you could tell me: Is it recommended that I
remove the tape from a DV camera when it is turned off
stored in its case? I have had two tapes get tangled recently
after turning the camera on. I wonder if that is because
the camera is not working correctly, the tape was bad,
or just that you are supposed to remove the tape. ( Jim,
January 2001) |
It is recommended to remove
tapes before shutting cameras down. It is also recommended to
rewind the tapes back to the beginning when finished. SB
View
Mini DV Tapes | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
| When I shoot a mini DV tape on my Sony TRV 900 can we
mail that tape to any global destination and correctly
assume that it will play on any other DV digital camcorder
in the world? I realize that signals from camcorder to
TV must be altered for PAL or NTSC... BUT I am asking
only about the DV tape's ability to be played on a foreign
country Mini DV digital camcorder. (Steve Tanenbaum) |
Playback will depend on the capabilities on the camera or deck
that you use. Generally, most NTSC cameras will not play PAL
DV material, while PAL cameras often have some ability to play
NTSC DV material. The camera's manual needs to be consulted
to determine the extent of its playback capabilities when playing
NTSC material in a PAL camera, as playback may be limited to
the camcorder's LCD or may only playback in black and white.
To avoid these issues, certain decks such as the Sony DSR-11
can be used to play and record both PAL and NTSC DVCAM/DV material.
View
Mini DV Tapes | View
Mini DV Cleaners | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
|
A friend of mine said that you can record and play
a small DVCAM tape in a miniDV deck (thereby getting
the higher quality) when you shoot it in miniDV. We
recently shot with DVCAM in a Canon XL-1, and it appeared
to work just fine. When I tried to play the tape back
in a JVC SR-VS10U the deck gives me an error message.
Is this a deck issue or does the DVCAM tape not play
back when shot in an XL-1? (Brian Tetamore)
The playback should have been fine? Any one out there
have any suggestions or similar problems?
|
Even when equipment is labeled miniDV
or DV, every manufacturer
has a different way of encoding digital signal to tape. The
basic signal recorded to tape is the same, however, when using
different manufacturers for record and play back I've noticed
there is some compatibility problem. There is nothing wrong
with the camera, deck or tape. I've encountered similar problems
before when recording was done with XL-1& PB in Sony DSR-30.
There was nothing wrong with any of them. When PB in XL-1 it
was just fine (of course if you recorded in LP mode in XL-1
it's a whole different problem to start with) My suggestion
is try PB with another deck and if that does not work, try PB
in XL-1. If that still does not work, then you most likely have
a recording problem (probably a bad camera). (Kenny Morimoto)
View
Mini DV Tapes | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
| I have read some rumors about an upcoming release of
a 3 hour mini DV tape. Any comments? (Roger Rockey, VideoStreams)
|
We have not heard anything like that. Physically, it would be
very difficult to put that much tape in a miniDV
shell. As you know there is an 80min miniDV, when used on long
play (extended play) gives you 120min. So that would mean we
would need a 120min on miniDV... a stretch, possible, but not
that we have heard of. The reason probably is that we at Tape
Resources deal mostly in professional tapes, as opposed to consumer....
and the pro's don't want to stretch and risk quality for the
sake of length (and the quality loss of extended play).
But there is news that Panasonic will be introducing a 180min
tape, but it is a full size DV
shell. They are also bringing out a 270min tape! A number
of the newer cameras for use in "prosumer" now take
the full size DV.
View
Mini DV Tapes | Back
to Main FAQ | Back
to the Top
WHAT PANASONIC FORMATS ARE COMPATIBLE
WITH miniDV, DV, DVCAM TAPE?
WHAT CAMCORDERS AND DECKS CAN BE USED WITH THESE FORMATS?
WHAT ARE THE RECORDING AND PLAYBACK TIMES? |
MiniDV / DVCAM Compatible Cassette
| MQ-Series:
Master Quality: "DV Master" |
|
Series Model No.
|
Recording Time
|
Hardware Models that accomodate these Tapes
|
| |
DV
|
DVCAM
|
Length
|
Camcorders
|
Decks
|
| AY-DVM63MQ |
63 min
|
42 min.
|
73m
|
AG-EZ1, EZ20, EZ30, EZ50, AG-DVC10, DVC15, DVCAM
Camcorders
|
AG-DV1000
AG-DV2000
|
| AY-DVM83MQ |
83 min.
|
55 min.
|
96m
|
| AY-DVMCLA |
mini Cleaning Cassette |
All miniDV & DVCAM Camcorders
|
All miniDV & DVCAM Decks
|
|
| PQ-Series:
Professional Quality |
|
Series Model No.
|
Recording Time
|
Hardware Models that accomodate these Tapes
|
| |
DV
|
DVCAM
|
Length
|
Camcorders
|
Decks
|
| AY-DVM33PQ |
33 min.
|
22 min.
|
39m
|
AG-EZ1, EZ20, EZ30, EZ50, AG-DVC10, DVC15, DVCAM
Camcorders
|
AG-DV1000
AG-DV2000
|
| AY-DVM63PQ |
63 min.
|
42 min.
|
73m
|
| AY-DVM83PQ |
83 min.
|
55 min.
|
96m
|
| AY-DVMCLA |
mini Cleaning Cassette |
All miniDV & DVCAM Camcorders
|
All miniDV & DVCAM Decks
|
|
Large DV / DVCAM Compatible Cassette
| MQ-Series:
Master Quality: "DV Master" |
|
Series Model No.
|
Recording Time
|
Hardware Models that accomodate these Tapes
|
| |
DV
|
DVCAM
|
Length
|
Camcorders
|
Decks
|
| AY-DV96MQ |
96 min. |
64 min. |
111m
|
AG-DVC200
DSR-300
DSR-370
DSR-500
DSR-570
|
AG-DV2000
Standard DVCAM Recorders
|
| AY-DV124MQ |
124 min. |
82 min. |
143m
|
| AY-DV186MQ |
186 min. |
124 min. |
213m
|
| AY-DV276MQ |
276 min. |
184 min. |
315m
|
| AY-DVCLB |
Large Cleaning Cassette |
All Large Cassette DV & DVCAM Camcorders
|
All Large Cassette DV & DVCAM Decks
|
|
| PQ-Series:
Professional Quality |
|
Series Model No.
|
Recording Time
|
Hardware Models that accomodate these Tapes
|
| |
DV
|
DVCAM
|
DVCAM
|
Camcorders
|
Decks
|
| AY-DV96PQ |
96 min.
|
64 min.
|
111m
|
AG-DVC200
DSR-300
DSR-370
DSR-500
DSR-570
|
AG-DV2000
Standard DVCAM Recorders
|
| AY-DV124PQ |
124 min.
|
82 min.
|
143m
|
| AY-DV186PQ |
186 min.
|
124 min.
|
213m
|
| AY-DVCLB |
Large Cleaning Cassette |
All Large Cassette DV & DVCAM Camcorders
|
All Large Cassette DV & DVCAM Decks
|
|
View
Mini DV Tapes, DVCAM Tapes,
DV Tapes
Back to Main FAQ |
Back to the Top
| WHAT ARE DV TAPE AND DVCAM TAPE
SPEEDS? |
DV Tape Speed: 18.812 mm/sec.
DVCAM Tape Speed: 28.193 mm/sec.
View
Mini DV Tapes, DVCAM
Tapes, DV
Tapes
Back to Main FAQ |
Back to the Top
Online
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DISCS:
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VIDEO FORMATS:
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