DVX using with Sonys MiniDV HD

[openskies2009]

i am about to shoot a music video with three cameras, the Panasonic HVX, Panasonic DVX and the Panasonic DVC60 with Sonys MiniDV HD tapes HDM-63VG. My question is since the DVX or DVC60 doesnt have straight HD capabilities will it record like the HVX would in HD or just standerd def?
Also, is there better MiniDV HD tapes to use then the sony? I bought Panasonic MiniDV HD tapes a year ago but cant find them anymore.

 

[NC17z]

I'm very glad you asked this question on many levels... None of the cameras you will be shooting the wedding with will shoot in HD. The HVX is a High Definition Camera however, when it used the TAPE DRIVE it is down-rezzed to SD (Standard Definition).

That is the least of your problems. It is very, very important to use ONLY ONE BRAND OF TAPE (Preferably Panasonic) in your cameras. The difference is one uses a Dry Lubrication and the other uses a Wet Lubrication. If you have been using Sony Tapes in these Cameras by all means continue to use Sony Tapes however, if you switch Brands (Tape Lubrications) it will get gunked up on your heads and you'll have to send it in for a professional tape head cleaning... Not Cheap, unless you know the procedures for doing it yourself.

Hope this helps...

 

[openskies2009]

Thanks for your reply, I have been using only Panasonic tapes and Im glad that you gave me the warning. but even when downsizing it will produce a better image quality then using reg minidv?

 

[JeganRX]

i am about to shoot a music video with three cameras, the Panasonic HVX, Panasonic DVX and the Panasonic DVC60 with Sonys MiniDV HD tapes HDM-63VG. My question is since the DVX or DVC60 doesnt have straight HD capabilities will it record like the HVX would in HD or just standerd def?
Also, is there better MiniDV HD tapes to use then the sony? I bought Panasonic MiniDV HD tapes a year ago but cant find them anymore.

You may face a problem when intercutting the footage, simply on quality differences alone. The DVX can probably cut decently well with downscaled HVX footage (though there will be a somewhat nicer look on the HVX footage, due to supersampling). The camera that worries me the most is the DVC60, which while it has 3 CCDs, they are 1/4s, and it doesn't shoot a true progressive frame last I checked (uses interpolated deinterlaced frames), thus limiting you to 60i if you truly want to match the motion of each camera.

If you can, avoid using the DVC60.

 

[JeganRX]

Thanks for your reply, I have been using only Panasonic tapes and Im glad that you gave me the warning. but even when downsizing it will produce a better image quality then using reg minidv?

Sorry for double post, but I did not see this response. MiniDV tapes, while varying in physical quality and durability, do NOT affect visual quality. Anyone telling you that the visual quality on a Sony tape is better or worse than a Panasonic tape is lying and/or delusional. While I wouldn't recommend it, any regular old consumer tape is just as good in terms of picture quality, but you usually risk significantly more drop outs.