Digitising Question

[Clipfinder]

Dear All
I need to digitise a lot material from mini DV into FCP. My old JVC which I used for this has started to show the dreaded error message. So can someone please advise whether:
1- Get the JVC fixed?
2- Buy another cheap DV Cam , with DV Out just for digitising. Can anyone recommend a model, does the quality of the camera matter if I only want to use it for digitizing.
3- Is there such a thing a budget Mini DV Deck

Thank you in advance.

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by Clipfinder

3- Is there such a thing a budget Mini DV Deck

Only if your budget is unlimited!

Dedicated decks will (or at least should) last longer, but unless you're planning on transferring day in, day out, get yourself an inexpensive miniDV camcorder - even a second-hand one, even if the lens or lcd or ccds are kaput, would do the trick.

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by Clipfinder

1- Get the JVC fixed?
2- Buy another cheap DV Cam , with DV Out just for digitising. Can anyone recommend a model, does the quality of the camera matter if I only want to use it for digitizing.

The cost of repair will of course depend what's gone wrong, but if it's a major component like the sensor then it will probably be cheaper to buy a used one than get it repaired. To find out what's faulty you'll almost certainly have to pay a diagnostics fee anyway even if you decline the repair.

I bought a 2nd hand JVC via eBay just for this purpose. Although the camera has poor build quality and is only fit for this purpose (it doesn't record, VF is out of focus etc.) I would say that the footage, once captured via Firewire, is indistinguishable from that from my previous MiniDV camcorder.

[senu]

I would agree with the above posts
Cost of repair will vary but given that you can buy a brand new one now for £150
I wonder how much less you would pay for repairing it
I had a JVC whose fauly LCD ws going to cost £250.. not the same fault but I think there is a minimum repair charge and it often get to be less VFM the older the camcorder is especially given how little it cost compared
As for spec for transfer of what is on the tape to a computer it does not matter at all
A cheap new miniDv vs one on ebay is the choice
How much wear and tear an E bay model has is purely a matter of luck

[Clipfinder]

Many thanks all
Can anyone recommend any cheap new MiniDV models?
Found a new one on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JVC-GR-D33EK-D...d=p3286.c0.m14
For £85 including postage. Any thoughts?

[Clipfinder]

Quick Update.
Got really tired of looking for 'bargains' on Ebay. Found a forum where ppl discussed similar 'safe mode ' errors on JVC cams . The posted is a very simple repair procedure,, All you need to do is to whack the camera a few times. And I can confirm it works. Hope it lasts.
Thanks all