Mixing HVX miniDV and Sony DV on Sony Decks?

[High1ander]

Hi, I wonder how I should go about digitizing things shot on the HVX on miniDV tapes.

Right now (I am editing a documentary) I have access to a Sony DSR-30 deck, and it has only been using Sony tapes. Now I have a HVX and will shoot things with it on panasonic tapes.

How should I digitize? I don't want to "gum up" machines, I know mixing tapes in cameras are bad, is the same thing applied to Decks (I know that at school Sony tapes will damage non-Sony decks).

What is more harmful, using the HVX as a deck (probably be around 50 hours to start with) or using the Sony DSR-30 with both Panasonic tapes and Sony tapes (will that damage tapes or just potentially the deck?).

I've just been getting somewhat conflilcting answers about "what happens when you mix", so I want to be straighten out.

Thanks!

 

[AwakenedFilms]

I would use the deck. I have a DSR-11 and have mixed tapes without problems. I am sure that mixing tapes can cause problems and hav had minor problems a couple of years ago using different tapes in a camera, but never with a playback device. However, in my opinion, using a camera to ingest is not the best option as it is risking wear/tear/damage (protect the goose that lays the golden eggs).

Besides, why incapacitate your camera for 50+ hours when you have a deck. Your deck can be digitizing, mean while you could potentially shoot another scene of your documentary, shoot another job, rent the camera out...etc.


Jason

 

[ProfessorU]

I am sure that mixing tapes can cause problems and hav had minor problems a couple of years ago using different tapes in a camera, but never with a playback device.

I have, on a Sony HDV deck. I go crazy because every professional resource out there says that tapes should be interoperable, and every pro I talk to agrees that tapes don't play well together. I keep thinking that maybe it's just wear and tear, but the numbers never seem to play out that way.

Can't you circumvent the problem by using the same brand of tape in all devices?

If not, I would still suggest using the deck, or getting a $170 MiniDV camcorder from Best Buy.