Mini DV Deck Question

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everybodyclap

Active member
I have always used my 1-chip canon camera as my deck (for Sony tapes shot on the 100A). That camera is on its last legs, and I'm considering buying an actual deck.

Does anyone have any input as to the best buys on minidv decks, or if it would make more sense financially to spend 200-300 on another 1-chip camera and just use that?

What are the cheapest (yet reliable) minidv decks out there?

I appreciate any info out there, and if there are other good threads on this and I've missed them, please redirect me and I'll read up on it there.

Thanks.
 
The problem is the decks being use by pros means that it won't come cheap 2-3K at least. However, you will see that these decks do kick out better quality images for capturing than those cheap dinky camcorders.

Try a look out for production houses who are switching over to HD format and buy them 2nd hand.
 
I'd love to find a cheaper solution as well... I do the same thing. I use a Canon Optura to capture, but I haven't had a quality downgrade by using this as opposed to a actual deck.

Have yet to find a cheap mini dv deck.
 
s3comm said:
The problem is the decks being use by pros means that it won't come cheap 2-3K at least. However, you will see that these decks do kick out better quality images for capturing than those cheap dinky camcorders.
Click to expand...

Whoa!!??!!
A nice deck will give you IDENTICAL image quality as a cheapo cam; it's all "1"s and "0" after all ---- BUT, their transport is much nicer, and faster, and of course more reliable.
The concensus is that the SONY DSR-11 is about the lowest cost deck that has HIGH marks in user's reviews. The JVC models have had reported problems.

DSR-11 is about $1800 IIRC.
 
s3comm said:
The problem is the decks being use by pros means that it won't come cheap 2-3K at least. However, you will see that these decks do kick out better quality images for capturing than those cheap dinky camcorders.

Try a look out for production houses who are switching over to HD format and buy them 2nd hand.
Click to expand...


ya as everyone else will point out, a deck won't give you a better image, just like an mq tape won't give a better image than the cheapest tapes. The difference is in reliability and speed. If your not pro i'd stick with the dv cam for now.
 
Thanks for all the responses. If "Pro" means getting paid for my work, then I am indeed pro. If it means being an expert in all areas (in this case decks), then I admit I'm still an amature...

Anyway, I'm not at all concerned with better image quality, I'm just looking for functionality and reliability. FYI, I shoot with Sony tapes and I've read several reviews of the JVC deck(s) that report huge problems with sony's (and one review in which the JVC rep reportedly admitted that their deck often doesn't work at all with sony tapes), so thats out of the question.

another related question: i believe one (or several, or all...) of the moderaters on this site advise to cleaning the DVX heads once every 50 hours or so. what do you all suggest as far as frequency of head cleaning for a 1-chip being used as a deck? same ratio? professional cleaning or tape cleaner? my old 1-chip may be fine and just in need of a good professional cleaning (tape cleaner no longer helps), or it might truly be dead, but from here on out, what do folks suggest?

thanks again for all the insight...so very much appreciated.
 
So if I buy a $300 mini-dv camcorder as a deck, I should have no problem with the quality of the image transfer? Ritz has a Canon on special. Thanks.
 
I have a question for all those HVX pros - what is your main form of export to clients? (Including Televison Stations)
Do you have a particular deck that you use to export?
I was looking into the JVC DR-DX5S DVD - mainly because I know I will still need a mini DV deck and benefiting from the DVD recording capabilities, figuring you export a lot to DVD but then again it doesn't give you HD DVD capability, does it?-
so in short:
"What deck do you advise purchasing for imput and output for both SD and HD?"
 
You can also send the recording signal directly into your laptop via the firewire cable and then you have it on your hard drive and ready to edit. I'm one of those who puts everything into the computer then edits. I dont' like to my camerea as a editing deck. I got away from that when I left the analog world of 3/4 tapes
 
for a cheap camera to use as a deck would the: Panasonic PV-GS39 be a good choice? Its about $300 or is there even a better/cheaper camera out there that works well. I was told to get one made by Panasonic. Thanks!
 
s3comm said:
However, you will see that these decks do kick out better quality images for capturing than those cheap dinky camcorders.
Click to expand...

Errr um, that's like saying a certain brand of CDR media will 'kick out' better sounding audio.
 
You guys all probably know this already but I want to repost it because it is one of the greater ideas I have seen.

Buy a cheap VCR and outload the whole miniDV tape with timecodes viewable in the "lower" standard VCR format, make sure with time/scene index on the tape.

Then use your VCR to watch and rewatch and pick the points / clips / scenes you want to use/capture. Write down a file name for scene and quality works good. Something like:

"INT Old House Camera 1 120206 MirandaDiesTake2 Bminus"

or perhaps:

"INT Old House Camera 1 120306 MirandaDiesTake50 Aplus"

...with the time code for begin and end of it next to it.

Then setup in your NLE the time codes which you wish to actually capture (could do batch capture remember), make sure to set this up to capture a "little before" (5-10 sec or so) and a "little after" where you actually want.

Saves hours of digitization and very little wear on your camera heads.

Note this: EVEN IF YOU USE A SECOND INEXPENSIVE CAMERA for digitization / download of your clips, you could use this method to save the amount of disk space used, and save wear/tear on the less expensive camera. Also, you are wearing out a cheapo VCR during the decision editing process (rewinding, fast-forwarding, picking clips) and you are becoming more "aware" of what scenes you actually do have to work with (makes you a better editor in the end) over-all (more apt to rewatch again and again because zero wear on either video camera) and thus makes your end result even better.

This is perhaps one of the more easy and neat things I have read about editing short-cuts. The only thing that would be better is of course some type of direct to digital with tape backup with some type of instant-scene-review technique...
 
I'm of the opinion that if one is serious about editing they just invest in a VTR than messing around with cheapo cameras. They're so much nicer to work with. It's all about having the right tool for the job. For the hobbiest it's obviously not such a big deal, but then again if a hobbiest can afford 3k for a camera, what's another 1.6 for a decent, reliable deck like the DSR11?
 
Ming said:
I'm of the opinion that if one is serious about editing they just invest in a VTR than messing around with cheapo cameras. They're so much nicer to work with. It's all about having the right tool for the job. For the hobbiest it's obviously not such a big deal, but then again if a hobbiest can afford 3k for a camera, what's another 1.6 for a decent, reliable deck like the DSR11?
Click to expand...
your logic is understandable saying that if someone can buy something for 3k they can then go and pay another 1600 for a another thing, but REALLY a lot of people almost cant even afford getting the camera and after spending 3k arent going to then spend even more money, especially on just 1 item.

In my case, I do have some money to spend, but id rather put $300 into a cheap camera which will give me the same results as a deck and then spend the other 1300+ on other stuff like a light kit, mic, and a matte box which will be more beneficial to me.

you dont need to have the best of the best equipment for everything you do. I think most people here worry way to much about getting the best of everything, but then they forget that what makes a film "good" doesnt have anything to do with how much money you can throw around, but how you can tell a story and how you present it.
 
tshark is right. If I'm able to get ahold of a DVX its going to be just barely, and the only reason I'm willing to pay for it is because its going to give me something that a cheaper option wont, namely 24P. So since when, and I mean when, is an extra $1300 worth a little convinience? Yes there are often more features and other stuff you can do with a real deck, but for many of us all we are going to do with the damn thing is capture. I hardly ever print to video because almost anyone I'm giving this thing to is going to want a DVD. Until there is a bare bones deck under 500 bucks, I dont think I'll ever touch one for quite awhile.
 
After the DVX, the anamorphic adap, a G2 rig, a Countryman EMW, an AT 4073a, Oktavas, boompole, wind protection, misc Lowel/LTM gear, misc grip, a zoom ctrller, sticks, head, misc audio, etc etc etc, a high end tape dumper is still way down on my list right now. Disk space is affordable enough now to not really bother with lots of batch capturing (at least in my little biosphere). My puny Canon ZR45mc (and a crappy tape rewinder) has been quite adequate (especially since it also allows analog pass-thru).
 
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SouthBySoWhat said:
After the DVX, the anamorphic adap, a G2 rig, a Countryman EMW, an AT 4073a, Oktavas, boompole, wind protection, misc Lowel/LTM gear, misc grip, a zoom ctrller, sticks, head, misc audio, etc etc etc, a high end tape dumper is still way down on my list right now. Disk space is affordable enough now to not really bother with lots of batch capturing (at least in my little biosphere). My puny Canon ZR45mc (and a crappy tape rewinder) has been quite adequate (especially since it also allows analog pass-thru).
Click to expand...

I was going to start out by listing all the things I need to get before I even think about getting a deck, then I was going to point out that the second less expensive "digitizer/capture" camera also comes in handy to shoot behind-the-scenes type stuff and grab more personal moments during the shoot to add to the DVD as "extras." (Something the deck can't do).

But then I read SouthBySoWhat's post and decided it was already done for me and I didn't post anything...this is a figment of your overactive imagination, nothing to see here...move along folks, move along.
 
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