MiniDV can I record on 1 camcorder and then capture to PC from another

WPA · 13-02-2007, 1:11 PM

I'm sorry if the thread title is a bit odd, easier to explain with a bit of background history.

I can a Canon MV5i MC Camcorder, got it a few years ago, very happy with it's performance and had happily captured and edit my movies on my PC.

I plugged into my Windows XP system recently (via firewire) and nothing, no camcorder is being detected. In order to try and pin things down I swapped with a known good cable, and tried plugging it into several other working computers. Literally plug my camcorder in - nothing. A different camcorder and "ding" up comes the "installing new hardware" message.

So I'm pretty convinced the issue is the camcorders hardware. An estimate for repair is coming in at over £120 (albeit without inspecting it).

So finally coming to the question - if I buy some cheapie £150 MiniDV camcorder (there are a few samsungs and canons about for this price online) can I put my tape in that I made on my MV5i MC and capture it on my PC without any problems. Obviously I'd expect the MiniDV tape to work, but I just wanted to check that the info written to the tape was in a single format, and that manufactorers didn't put any propritory stuff on the tape which another model of manufactorer wouldn't be able to understand.

redsox_mark · 13-02-2007, 2:43 PM

DV is standard, so you should not have any problems. The only issue is if you have tapes recorded in LP mode. Those may not capture well. The problem is LP mode gives less margin for error, and if the head on the new camcorder isn't aligned just like the old one you may have problems.

WPA · 13-02-2007, 4:55 PM

Happily not - no LP ever used. The only potential weirdness I thought might not be standard is the fact that it's mostly in widescreen and the Canon let you choose between 12bit and 16bit audio recording, so mines in 16 bit. If that's not an issue then new cheapie camcorder here we come

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

DV is standard, so you should not have any problems. The only issue is if you have tapes recorded in LP mode. Those may not capture well. The problem is LP mode gives less margin for error, and if the head on the new camcorder isn't aligned just like the old one you may have problems.

redsox_mark · 13-02-2007, 5:18 PM

16 bit audio is the "default" standard, so that should be no problem.
12 bit could be a problem - not only can the camcorder play it, but many software editing apps only accept 16 bit audio.