HDV tapes vs. DV tapes

yes they can be used with a mini dv camera.

does it make a difference to have dv tapes instead of hdv tapes for an HDV CAMCORDER

hdv tapes and dv tapes are the same, the footage from my camera looks the same when shot on both , its slightly more pristine on the hdv tape, but once its compressed to web you cant even tell.

yeah, I haven't used any yet, but from what I've heard, they are pretty much just really good dv tapes that are key for HDV footage (because HDV is shot onto minidv)

Here are the two main differences between HDV and DV tapes:

--75% fewer errors and 50% fewer dropouts for improved reliability and audio/video stability (when compared to Standard MiniDV Tape)
--New lubricant for improved tape stability while running under a wide range of operating conditions

Other than fewer dropouts, there should be no visible difference between DV and HDV tapes. Each tape would contain exactly the same digital information. Only a dropout (interference with the data stream) would alter the image. After personally shooting nearly 300 tapes, however, I have seen dropouts on maybe 3 occaisions. Keeping your heads clean is just as, or more, important.

Sony claims that better lubricant will prevent head wear. However, while that is important, a network filmer once told me that he uses the more abrasive tapes (1 every 10) to clean the lubricant off the heads.

One more note, while HDV and DV tapes can be used in both cameras, you cannot playback HDV footage in a DV camera.

Hope that helps.

ha

I guess that's it guys.

so if i recorded footage on an hdv tape, could i atleast upload the footy to my comp using a mini dv camera, also what about recording hdv on a dv tape and then uploading on a different camera

If you recorded DV footage on an HDV tape, you can use a miniDV camera to capture it on the computer. You could not do the same with HDV footage. You can use an HDV camera to capture (upload) HDV footage on a DV tape.

Really, calling it an "HDV tape" is just a marketing term for a high end DV tape. HDV and DV however are two different recording formats that use the same tape. Basically, if you shot HDV footage with an HDV camera, regardless of tape, you need an HDV camera for capture.

ok so my next question has to do with everyone always saying why you shouldn't use your good camera to capture cause it damages the heads or something like that and they say to get a cheap camera just for uploading. apparently that won't work as well with hdv cause there are no real cheap hdv cameras. let's say i film 50 hours in hdv and upload those 50 hours using the hdv camera, how much damage would it really do to the camera if i did that once a year

it doesn't damage the camera, it just puts more use on it.

ideally, you would want to get your heads professionally cleaned every year or so anyways.

but yeah, that's one drawback of hdv is having to use the camera you shoot with to upload footage.

gotcha, alright thanks to everyone for answering my questions

using your camera for playack and capturing doesn't hurt the camera at all, it just puts more wear on the camera, i'd say it's more worthwhile to get the heads cleaned every now and then rather than buying a cheap capture cam