murrays 0 #1 January 9, 2008 So, my wife lost our HC42 camcorder a couple of weeks ago and I am looking for a replacement...unfortunately I hadn't finished importing all of our old DV tapes onto the computer or I'd just buy a new HD camera of some description. The HC42 doesn't seem to be available anymore so I was checking the specs of different things out, trying to find something inexpensive that will do the job. The Canon has the true widescreen capture which I assume is the same as is on the Sony. Would both of these cameras be recording according to a standard so that if I play back the tapes made on my Sony they will play back on the Canon and import properly into iMovie?-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PharmerPhil 0 #2 January 9, 2008 QuoteSo, my wife lost our HC42 camcorder a couple of weeks ago and I am looking for a replacement... Try getting a dog. I think they're cheaper than wives, and they never play with your camera stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #3 January 9, 2008 The Sony HD cameras will run in a "normal" DV mode.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #4 January 9, 2008 QuoteThe Sony HD cameras will run in a "normal" DV mode. JP, That's tempting but I really like the idea of buying one of these new flash based HD machines and getting away from tape forever....after I capture everything to the computer. Hence the cheap DV idea.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #5 January 9, 2008 Quote Quote So, my wife lost our HC42 camcorder a couple of weeks ago and I am looking for a replacement... Try getting a dog. I think they're cheaper than wives, and they never play with your camera stuff. But the kids are attached to her and I'd be a villain if I got rid of her.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #6 January 9, 2008 I understand. I'm very interested in the Flash media cameras, but not quite ready to jump on board yet.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mktoson 0 #8 January 10, 2008 If you really want to do away with tapes and get a solid state vid cam why not borrow a miniDV cam from someone just to transfer to PC? So far, this is the oldest I've ever been. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #9 January 10, 2008 Quote If you really want to do away with tapes and get a solid state vid cam why not borrow a miniDV cam from someone just to transfer to PC? Huh? How do you plan to connect a solid-state cam to a mini dv cam, or whatever it is you're proposing? ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdsouthsask 0 #10 January 10, 2008 He is telling Murray to simply borrow a camera to get his existing tapes onto his computer and then go and purchase a solid state vid camera. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #11 January 10, 2008 Quote He is telling Murray to simply borrow a camera to get his existing tapes onto his computer and then go and purchase a solid state vid camera. Right-o. Should've read a bit better ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #12 January 10, 2008 Any DV camera will properly playback any DV tape. There are some rare instances where 15fps progressive from Canon won't play in older Sony, but it's exceptionally rare. For Xfer's, you can get by with a very cheap DV camcorder or deck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdsouthsask 0 #13 January 10, 2008 Not 100% correct. When an older sony DV camcorder recorded in LP mode it would not play back 100% in a different sony DV camcorder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #14 January 10, 2008 It should. If it's not, it's another one of those very rare situations. Unlike analog video, DV is just bits, and no different than DLT backup systems. Speed not withstanding, there are occasionally incompatible data tracks and error correction issues, but they are incredibly rare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #15 January 10, 2008 Do those tapes that have memory chips play back in HDV cameras? As Sony says not to use them in the A1/HC1/3/5/7? ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #16 January 10, 2008 yes, they do work, but they memory function does absolutely nothing/stores nothing/reads nothing, so you're spending $$ on a non-use functionality. I've used them in situations where they've been the only tape in a box within reach. But it's an expensive use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdsouthsask 0 #17 January 10, 2008 Here is a copy of part of the manual from a PC9, PC10, PC120BT, etc... Notes on the LP mode •When you record a tape in the LP mode on your camcorder, we recommend playing the tape on your camcorder. When you play back the tape on other camcorders or VCRs, noise may occur in pictures or sound. One would assume that it should work nicely, but many times it does not. With that said many times it does work nicely and you do not get problems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #18 January 11, 2008 QuoteAny DV camera will properly playback any DV tape. There are some rare instances where 15fps progressive from Canon won't play in older Sony, but it's exceptionally rare. For Xfer's, you can get by with a very cheap DV camcorder or deck. Thank-you DSE. I'll look for something cheap with Firewire to get the job done but have one question..... Will a camcorder that only records/plays back standard aspect ratio play back stuff that I recorded in wide aspect ratio on the HC42? I don't want to borrow from anybody because it might take me a long time...busy time of year, lots of tapes, etc, etc.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #19 January 11, 2008 QuoteWill a camcorder that only records/plays back standard aspect ratio play back stuff that I recorded in wide aspect ratio on the HC42? If it's DV, yup. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #20 January 11, 2008 QuoteQuoteWill a camcorder that only records/plays back standard aspect ratio play back stuff that I recorded in wide aspect ratio on the HC42? If it's DV, yup. Excellent. Thank-you DSE. Murray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites