The Hour meter - What is it actually keeping a record of?

[Gang_Green]

Inside the menu of the DVX there is a hour meter;
Question:
is it keeping a log of how many hours recorded or how many hours the unit has been on? Becasue I have a lot of hours and I dont beleave Ive actually taped that much.

And second, can you infer that a lot of hours loged means it might be breaking down at a certain point? At what point do you consider the camera to be wearing down, or how many hours can I expect to get out of it. I realize there may not be an answer to this question.

 

[ovjamaica]

It's only keeping track of the hours that the tape heads are in use. From what I have read on this forum you'll get at least 1000 hours out of the heads if they are taken care of. That's just a general estimate that I've seen floated many times. Someone with more expertise may have a more exact answer.

 

[Chris Stearns]

It will log the time that the tape mechanism is in use (i.e. whenever there is a tape in the camera and the camera is on). I usually set up my shots with no tape in the camera, and put in a tape only when everything else is ready to go.

 

[Flintstone]

It will log the time that the tape mechanism is in use (i.e. whenever there is a tape in the camera and the camera is on). I usually set up my shots with no tape in the camera, and put in a tape only when everything else is ready to go.

A bit extreme! Don't you get more wear and tear with the loading mechanism that way?