mini dv deck?

[vt2la]

First off, what deck would you guys recommend for importing mini dv footage shot on the hvx that is relatively cheap but won't crap out on me.

Now for the next part. What deck would you guys recommend for importing mini-dv footage shot on various brands of tapes and on various cameras?

We don't shoot much mini dv on the hvx, but when we do, I'd obviously like to avoid putting strain on the camera heads. We also have a client who needs some old mini dv tapes transferred to DVD which I was planning on doing by importing to FCP, then exporting to DVDSP. The tapes vary in brand and were, I'm assuming, shot on a variety of cameras.

I was looking into a JVC VS30U but have heard nothing but bad things. The only reason it looked so promising was the a) the price, and b) it is a combo mini-dv/vhs deck and the same client also needs some vhs tapes dup'd to DVD. Now I'm looking into the Sony GV D1000 and Panasonic DV1000 (only two reviews online, both negative) & DV2500.

Any insights would be much appreciated.

[Arson]

Most people use a cheap camcorder as a minidv deck or dedicated digitizing deck.
Put the wear and tear and hours on a $200 camera

[Jeff Anderson]

Yeah I'd go with the cheap camera, BUT if you really want a deck I've been using a JVC dvm60 without a problem for the last 6 months pretty regularly. I think it was around $900 or so.

[Demistate]

I went on ebay and bought a used camera that "had a broken LCD screen"

Plugged it straight up to the firewire (JVC mind you) and works like a charm, no drop out, perfect rips. Hey digital is great baby!

I just find it hard to believe that JVC has better firewire interfaces on a $200 camera, than on a 2,500 Sony. Sony refuses to repair my broken firewire on my camera, but the JVC chugs along no problem.

And I hot plug it all the time. (There are threads on here saying if you hotplug your DVX it can blow)

[livy500]

Most people use a cheap camcorder as a minidv deck or dedicated digitizing deck.
Put the wear and tear and hours on a $200 camera

I'm looking to buy a cheap camcorder to use as a deck. Is there anything I should look out for/avoid? How cheap can you go?

[vt2la]

hmmm, the cheap camera is a good option I hadn't thought about. my only concern is with compatability between different tape brands and the brand of camcorder. anyone had issues using a jvc camera and importing panasonic tapes, or any other cross brand issues?

[wgzn]

i had a tiny little sharp viewcam model z3 or z5 or something that worked just fine. until it was stolen.

oh and for the transferring of the dv tape to dvd - have you looked into one of those dvd recorders. just hit play on the source and record on the dvd and off you go! you'll miss out on sexy menus and stuff, but you'll save yourself a TON of time

[Daniel J]

I haven't had any problems using different tape brands on a cheap jvc. I got it along with a bunch of other stuff, 2 cheap tripods, extra battery, and a mini dv tape rewinder all for $125 on craigslist. It has been working fine for a year except I think it has been going downhill since 2 weeks ago :o(