How many mini dv tapes can a hv20 take until it dies?

Question

How many mini dv tapes can a hv20 or other mini dv tape cameras take until they just.. break..?

My hv20 is coming in a couple of weeks, and its just been refurbished. I'm quite scared of using a mini dv camera as I'm use to digital technology, I heard its bad to capture your videos with the camera you used to film? If so, is there some sort of cheap mini dv dock I can use to capture my videos onto my computer?

Answer 1

snowwillow is correct.



I've been using my Sony HDR-HC1 for about 5 years - and I rarely re-use tapes. Each 60 minute tape can hold up to 63 minutes of HDV format video. I have over 300 in a few shoe boxes. I have used a head cleaning tape 2x (when the error message appeared, I ran the cleaning tape according to instructions - only 10 seconds).



And the camcorder keeps recording and being the "import deck" for computer transfer... So... at least 600 hours (likely more) capturing and playing back (for importing) and connecting to a HDTV for high def view/capture review...



A regular miniDV standard definition deck won't work - it needs to be able to handle HDV. Sony has a consumer HDV deck - check the GVH-D700. Cheaper just to get another HDV camcorder... The pro HDV decks cost more.



And the "DV" in miniDV = Digital Video. Just because the zeros and ones are written to tape does not make the video somehow less digital. It certainly is NOT analog (like VHS, BETA or 8mm) and is just as digital as flash memory, hard disc drive or DVD is digital. BUT the advantages MiniDV has over those other consumer storage methods includes - but is not limited to:



==> DV and HDV format video is much less compressed than the video stored to consumer flash memory, hard disc drive or DVD storage media. More video compression = more discarded data = reduced video quality.



==> miniDV tape has the longest known shelf life (for archiving video) when compared to the other consumer storage media. Just don't re-use the tapes.



==> miniDV tape has the lowest $/gig storage so it continues to be the most cost effective and affordable media.



There's more... but just remember that the professionals typcally gravitate to the "best available"... so... Check the equipment they use:

Canon XH series and XLH series

Sony HVR series

Panasonic AG-HVX series

JVC GY-HM series



*Most* of these use miniDV tape. Those that do not (Sony HVR-Z7, Panasonic AG-HVX200, JVC GY-HM100) use flash memory - and record to DV/HDV. There are no prosumer or pro grade camcorders that use an internal hard drive - and those that use an external hard drive (like the FireStore series from Focus Enhancements) wirte to DV/HDV... No anemic AVCHD like that found in consumer camcorders.

Answer 2

No you are able to not. The VHS adapter is for VHS-C tapes. whether you in a roundabout way got here upon a thank you to get a miniDV tape right into a VHS adapter, you nevertheless ought to reprogram the VCR to comprehend the miniDV tape. Video stored to miniDV is stored in a distinctive format than video stored to VHS-C. you basically have 3 techniques. The quickest is to connect the camcorder directly to the television by using the twine with the three RCA plugs (yellow, white, purple). in the experience that your television is older and does not have those RCA connections (and basically a cable connection), you are able to hook up with your camcorder to your VCR, DVD participant, and each so often your cable field and deliver the video in that way. you additionally can bypass to Wal-Mart and purchase an RF adapter/modulator which will convert RCA enter to cable. The camcorder will then exchange into the VCR for the miniDV tape. you additionally can connect the camcorder to a VCR or a console DVD burner with the comparable twine. you are able to then reproduction the action picture to a DVD or to a VCR. there will be no loss of high quality of the action picture on DVD. there will be some loss of high quality on VHS tape, besides the undeniable fact that it heavily isn't plenty that it extremely is a controversy. The third determination is slightly longer yet would be greater person friendly interior the long-term. you will ought to connect the camcorder to a working laptop or pc by using Firewire. you are able to then catch the video to your pc with homestead windows action picture Maker or iMovie. The video can then be edited and stored. then you extremely can use a DVD burning software such as iDVD to burn your action picture to a DVD-R. The DVD-R can then be used to view the action picture at any time. in case you should make variations interior the destiny, you are able to regulate the edits and then re-export a clean action picture.

Answer 3

Minidv is digital too. I've had my minidv camcorder for 5 years and it's still going strong. No there is not a cheap minidv dock/