Using another camcorder as a VTR?

[Danny_J]

My crew just finished shooting a large project on the DVX100A, and I'm now faced with digitizing and editing. Would it be possible to use a cheapie Panasonic mini-DV camera as a VTR? Would any old camcorder with firewire, such as a PV-GS2, be able to handle digitizing footage shot in 24PA? What would the quality be? Thanks!

Danny J.

[Sirius_Doggy]

Any DV camera will work. the 24p footage is recorded at 60fields just as regular 60i footage so it makes no difference in playback through firewire. I have a Canon Elura 40 that I use. Just make sure it's compatible with PPRO. There's a list of acceptable cameras on Adobe's website. (http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/dvhdwrdb.html)

[Danny_J]

Sounds good, but what of the quality? Will any camcorder, in theory, capture with the same quality as the DVX100? Or a VTR? Thanks again.

Danny J.

[Sirius_Doggy]

Yes - The "quality" you are talking about has nothing to do with the digital firewire playback. It's all in the camera lens/recording process.

[Bryan]

Hey Sirius, I assume you use the Panny MQ tapes. You have no problem running those through the Canon Elura. Do you get timecode?

[Sirius_Doggy]

I do use the MQ and PQ tapes 80/20%. No problems with the Canon because that's the only tapes I run through it. I bought the camera off eBay and cleaned the heads good before I started using it. Had no problems. Yes - TC with no problems.

[BLUESPIDER]

Yeah, any midi DV camera would work. I however use a Sony TRV900 for capturing and I have never ever experienced any kind of problem.

TRV900, is a little overkill but any lower end panny or sony, etc camera would work.

Peace!

[Danny_J]

Hey, thanks guys, great news indeed!

Danny J.

[UncleBenji1977]

I use a little Canon Optura for capturing, and even just simply viewing the raw footage. Any time i can give my Panny's heads a rest is a good thing!