To deck or not to deck.

D

dsk

Active member
Hi everyone.

I am at a point where I have some money to spend and am really struggling with the idea of buying a deck for my editing station. The thought of pulling out $1800 on a DSR-11 almost makes me cry. I can think of other (more fun) things I could add for that amount of money. I am also in the market for lighting EQ and currently have no accessories for my new DVX 100A.

I have thought of buying a fairly inexpensive DV camera to use as a deck. What would the pros and cons be to this idea? I would prefer not to put that wear and tear on my 100A.

I also shoot a GL-1, those tapes would need to be logged as well. After reading a few posts here I am now afraid to mix dry / wet lube tapes in any deck. Let alone take a tape out of my canon that my have some gunk on the heads.

As a general rule I never record to a tape twice, so It would be rare for any tape to make it back into my camera for further use.

Just looking for some feedback.


Dave
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

You ought to use a seperate deck or cam to capture footage. You don't want your precious dvx going through all that head wear, fast forward-rewind torture all the time...
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

Definitely use something other than your DVX for logging/capturing/viewing to keep the wear 'n tear to a minimum.

As for deciding between using a straight-up deck or cheap DV camera for this purpose, I would highly recommend using a cheap DV cam. You can get them for under $500 these days. Many cheap DV cams even have features that decks do not (LCD screens, ability to use to shoot something if necessary, etc.).

The idea of using a DV cam instead of a deck is often challenged with the argument that decks are made to endure more wear 'n tear than DV cams (especially in shuttling video). And tho I have not seen any definitive studies on the topic, I would still say that getting a cheap cam is far more worth it compared to something that will cost at least twice as much. Hey, you could always buy another one if the cam dies in a couple of years and you'd still be spending less than for a deck.
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

JVC has a hybrid (SVHS/MiniDV) 800 dollar deck that seems really useful. It doesn't record full size DV tapes nor DVCAM (Although it reads it), but for a desktop rec/play VCR it seems a good deal. I'm not sure also in spending big bucks for a professional editing VCR just to log camera material. And it seems better than those cheapo DV walkmans sony had on the market until recently, that are as rugged as their TRV-17 cameras...
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

People have had a lot of problems with the DV/SVHS JVC deck, especially regarding firewire useage. Just so you know.
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

what kind of problems? no problems with mine , almost a year and a half into it
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

The problems that I've heard are basically that the original combo deck (SR10, HS1) strips out the 24P flags when playing footage, so a program like Vegas that expects to see those flags, doesn't see them. So 24P footage gets imported as 60i.

On the Vegas forums there are several people who have confirmed that the SR30/HS3 doesn't do that, that the SR30 works fine with Vegas/DVX.
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

I had 2 of those SR10U decks, nothing but trouble (I believe it to be heat related, as it would work fine for a few minutes then start flaking out - on both units). Finally talked B&H into taking them back (they even admitted to me that they had a seriously high return rate). I then bought a Panasonic DV2000. Has been working great for 3 yrs.

Of course, this was 3 yrs ago, and JVC has produced a couple of generations of upgrades since then. But for me, that experience was enough...No more JVC DV anything for me.

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

ditto-

JVC Deck is basicly a lemon. It's just sitting in the studio right now gathering dust...
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

get a cheap-o DVcam. Got my JVC on ebay for dirt cheap. Hasnt failed me through 100+ hours of footage
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

Constant random dropouts with my JVC combo deck .......Audio and video..........Just took in for service before 1 yr warranty ran out! but I 'm not holding my breath ! I beleive I'm gonna get the new GS-200 3 chip to use as occasional 2nd cam [safety for weddings] and 2.3 mp stills and for Dvx footage capture ! Will definitely get the Quickstream right after to save the heads! Unclemort
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

dv 2000, dv 1000, dv1 dc, cheap dv camera . . . gets confusing. What about 24/25 p (dont forget us PAL guys). Do all these read the format as well as the camera itself does or would the transfer be inferior. Also I also havent understood the above comment re dry / wet tapes. Should I be using just one type? And which? Someone pls clear the air for me! ???
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

For everyone who has missed it...

Can you use a regular mini dv camera for playback?
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

Ok.. Thanks for all the responses. I would like to clarify a few points.

1. By using a minidv camera as a deck will I have any conflicts importing or printing back to tape 24p footage? This was mentioned above but I am not sure if this was addressed.

2. By going this route should I convert all my cameras to use the panasonic dry lube tapes to keep the deck as free of gunk as possible? (other cam is a Canon GL-1)

3. Camera recommendations. I would like to use this camera if need be to shoot footage (it may be of my kids, but they are worth it) Any recommendations as to a good value that may still offer decent video images?


Thanks all!


Dave
 
Re: To deck or not to deck.

The VS30U works with no problems at all. The HS3 will work, too, but I understand it won't read SMPTE timecode. You're better off shelling out the extra fifty bucks for the VS30U.
 
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