[samsav]

Hello

I have done a search and read about SD and HD. My inclination is to forget the budget and get a HD camcorder (sony hc 3) - however I am little concerned the in a 2-3 years times - mini dv is going to go to the same graveyard as vhs.

My other option would be to buy a good SD camcorder (panasonic gs 300 or sony hc 96) and then upgrade to a HD when the recording format changes. While I recognise that the SD video will not be as good as the HD video I really do not want to spend #700 every 3 years to upgrade.

Any advice, comments etc much appreciated

Sam

[bsuttie]

Even if they stop selling DV / DVCam / HDV camcorders in a few years time the tapes will be available for many years to come, so I wouldn't be concerned.

You can still buy 3/4inch U-matic tapes and that's a format that disappeared many years ago.

regards

Brian

[senu]

I agree... I would still buy into a MiniDV/ HDV model myself as they often appear to offer the highest quality for decent money (for now) .. until the Media card models ...get to be more mainstream

The current issues are with that are
Size of cards
The actual qualities of camcorders
Ease of playing AVCHD and Ease of editing
For now .I prefer these over HDD as the tape alternative in that Im just a little uneasy about the reliability of HDD drives in a mobile Kit like a camcorder ( This may be pessimism) otherwise the same issue of kit and AVCHD playing and editing apply

Being more optimistic :
1) The user base for tape is still very large and the Semi pro /Pro models still use it albeit DVcam and various other formats)
2) HDV models are still being released .. less in no than AVCHD but I imagine they will coexist for a decent period
3) I still see cassette tapes and Hi8 tapes around ...
4)MiniDV isn't quite micro MV ... Even Minidisc which has lost out to MP3 and the Ipod type devices isnt obsolete

[jwramsay]

MiniDV all the way!

I have a Sony HC-3 and buy 10 packs of DV-Videos from Amazon on a regular basis, to stock up for the future.

£1.10 ish for 10G of Long Term Storage *cannot* be beaten!

[redsox_mark]

I agree, no need to worry about DV tapes. Even if there are fewer new models using them, there is such a large installed base that they will continue to be available.

It's not like VHS and DVD. VHS is much poorer quality than DVD, so it quickly fell out of favour (though you can still buy tapes!). DV/HDV is arguably better quality than any of the HDD/Flash memory models.

And with pro/prosumer cams tapes will continue for longer.

And no matter what you get, in a few years time there is something new/better you'll want...

[Indy @ S.E.]

I have a quick question regarding miniDV tapes and HD Camcorders.

Im going to buy a HC7 and currently have a stack of MiniDV tapes that I can record over. If I put miniDV tapes into the HC7 will it record in HD or will I need to purchase HDV tapes for HD recordings?

Apologies if this is a stupid question! :D

[redsox_mark]

You can use any miniDV tape, though there are tapes designed for HDV which are supposed to be more resistant to dropouts. Most use ordinary (e.g. Sony Premium) DV tapes.

They are cheap enough that I’d avoid reusing old tapes though… reusing old tapes adds to the chance of getting dropouts.

[Indy @ S.E.]

thanks Mark, I think I will try using both initially and see if there are any big differences in terms of dropouts.

[felix2]

Indy, just to repeat, received wisdom is to stick to one brand of tape for a camcorder - so if you're going to reuse some of your old tapes in the HC7, may be best to buy new ones of the same brand as those in future.

Re. the original question, I've still got my Digital 8 camcorder and can still easily find tapes (actually Hi 8!) - although when I first bought it 5 years ago the Hi8/Digi8 tapes were slightly cheaper than MiniDV, but now they've stayed the same price while the MiniDV have got a lot cheaper! I'm sure Mini DV tapes will be around for a very long time yet...

[Indy @ S.E.]

thanks felix, i guess ill have to choose one or the other now!

[felix2]

Personally if I were in your position (and hopefully I will be before too long now!), I'd just buy a load of new Sony Premiums from Amazon (today's price £11.99 for 10, gone up a bit recently!, free postage if you make the order more than £15).