60 minutes is not enough

kevtim

kevtim

Active member
Hi folks, I'm discovering as I use my DVX100B more and more that 60 minutes of tape is just not enough in some situations and a tape change can really cause some problems in post. Now I could go with a tapeless system but I don't have hundreds of pounds to spend on this at the moment so I was wondering if there was a way to hook my camera up to another portable tape deck that automatically starts recording when the tape in my camera comes to an end. A seamless transition would be good, I don't want to loose any action!

I'm sure such a thing must exist and I also assume its gotta be cheaper that a tapeless system. If such a system does exist then what's a good buy, where do I find one and how do I connect it to my camera and set it up?

Thanks
Kevin
 
"60 minutes is not enough"
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Boo! And here I thought I would hear the FINAL RAMBLINGS of Andy Rooney in this thread...
 
Laptop is a no no on account of it's size. I need it to be portable. External recorder sounds interesting! Can you suggest one and how it works? Would I be able to roll tapeless with and external recorder? I'm still behind technology by about half a decade so please bare with me (I still think recording to SD tape is amazing). Please let me know what my options are for an external recorder.

Cheers!
 
You can hook up another camera (can be an inexpensive one) via Firewire. Then go into your main camera menu, and select Other Functions.Select DV control. Options are Off, Ext, Both, Chain. Using Off lets the 2nd camera see what you are recording, and you can just push record on 2nd cam. Using Ext lets you record on 2nd cam but not on main cam - you can save wear on your heads with this. Using Both - both cams record together. Using Chain, put 2nd cam in VCR mode, and start shooting Main cam records, and when it gets to near end of tape the 2nd camera starts automatically. It will switch back to main cam when 2nd cam tape is nearly full. Details are in your camera manual.
 
You know, its been a long time since I had a DVX, but I never actually knew you could do that. Interesting.
 
I use a Focus Enhancements FS-100 to do exactly what you're trying to do. I can be a bit big, (about 7" X 4" X 2"), but that depends on your definition of portable. My system clips onto a tripod so I can shoot High School football games and other sports from the side lines. Works well for me. I've enjoyed the heck out of my DVX for four years now, and the last three have been recorder to the FS-100. I'm now waiting for my AG AC-130 to ship.

I'm sure that there are many other recorders out there, but the FS-100 has really been a great purchase for me.

I don't do great work but I have fun.


http://video.losmadrids.com
 
The "chain" is probably the second-cheapest way to do it -- using a cheapo ebay camcorder as a DV chain device would definitely get you the longer recording time.
The cheapest way, and one that I don't recommend, is to go into LP mode. LP gives you 93+ minutes per tape. It's the same quality, but less reliable recording, and tapes recorded in LP aren't guaranteed to play on any other camera or deck other than the one that recorded it, but ... well, I'm just saying it's a free and easy option. But I don't recommend it.
 
Thanks guys, this is really helpful! So let me get this straight there is no specific tape deck that has been designed for this job? I'll have to buy a cheapo dv camcorder... that seems crazily odd to me somehow.

I'm actually quite intrigued by the whole tapeless idea as it would save me a lot of time and probably money in the long run. It would also keep the head running time down on my camera. Can anyone advise me on some makes and models for tapeless recording such as the FS-100? This is completely new territory for me so if some one could briefly explain how it all works as well that would be awesome!

Thanks guys really good stuff and I am appreciative as ever!
 
interesting thread.
it reminded me of the old days when I use to use 30min tapes on my dads camera.
60mins of recording time seemed like a dream a few years ago...
 
kevtim said:
Thanks guys, this is really helpful! So let me get this straight there is no specific tape deck that has been designed for this job? I'll have to buy a cheapo dv camcorder... that seems crazily odd to me somehow.
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Decks do exist, they just cost more and I doubt anyone makes them anymore. Sony used to make a clamshell DV deck which would probably be the most appropriate for a portable small deck. JVC and Panasonic both made a DV deck that was reasonably small, but designed for studio installation, and wasn't very good anyway. Unquestionably the cheapest and smallest solution would be a little DV palmcorder with a firewire input jack.

Can anyone advise me on some makes and models for tapeless recording such as the FS-100?
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Don't get an FS-100, that was a model specifically made for the HVX200 and you don't need to pay extra for that. An FS-4 would work fine for a DV camera. There's also devices by other manufacturers such as the Shining CitiDisk or the nNovia products, but I think the firestores were the most widely used.
 
Thanks Barry thats awesome! The only problem is these brands don't seem to be too popular in the UK. After typing them into ebay there are lots in america but literally none in the UK.

I also wondered if the devices will work with PAL, not NTSC. I assume it really makes no difference but it's better to be safe than sorry I guess. Especially if I'm going to get one shipped over from the states.
 
Hey Kevtim, I sold my DVX back in Feb, but I still have my Firestore FS-4 sitting on my desk. Give me a PM for more info if you may be interested. I'm willing to sell it for very little.
 
Hi all, I'm thinking of buying the FS-4 off Andy whom has kindly offered it for sale to me. I've just started reading through the manual and it says:

True DTE Technology - Files are recorded to disk as RawDV,
AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, 24P AVI Type 2, Matrox AVI, Canopus
AVI, QuickTime or QuickTime 24P.

Now I'm just wondering about my 25p (PAL) camcorder as I see no reference to 25p files above. I always record progressive and in widescreen (squeeze) and wondered if the recorder will actually let me do that PAL style? I'm new to this digital stuff so some help would be brilliant.

Thanks
Kev
 
kevtim said:
Now I'm just wondering about my 25p (PAL) camcorder as I see no reference to 25p files above. I always record progressive and in widescreen (squeeze) and wondered if the recorder will actually let me do that PAL style? I'm new to this digital stuff so some help would be brilliant.

Thanks
Kev[/FONT]
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Its a good question Kev. The firestores were made PAL or NTSC, not both, so unfortunately Andy's will not work with your camera.

You might want to hunt around and see if you can track down an old PAL unit.
 
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