mini-dv: quality difference SP vs LP

[ultram...@my-deja.com]

Hi all,

Is there a big difference in terms of quality in mini-dv between SP and
LP? I tried recording in both speed but couldn't find that big of a
difference. Also, any recommendation on which brand/model of mini-dv
tape.

Thanks in advance.

-Aaron

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[John P. Beale]

ultram...@my-deja.com wrote:
: Is there a big difference in terms of quality in mini-dv between SP and

: LP? I tried recording in both speed but couldn't find that big of a
: difference. Also, any recommendation on which brand/model of mini-dv
: tape.

I think you will find no difference, unless you have tape drop-outs in
which case you will see blocky artifacts. It is exactly the same digital
signal, but in LP the tracks are tighter so there is more chance of bit
errors on playback.

I have yet to hear an authoritative voice explaining what the differences
are if any between MiniDV brands. For most people they all work the
same. Some people have had dropout problems with the Panasonic long-play
version (80 minute SP, 120 minutes LP). But it works fine for others.
Some people have had trouble when switching brands. Others have not.

I have heard a rumour that all MiniDV tape is produced by one of two
companies (Sony or Panasonic) and the other brands (TDK, Fuji, JVC) are
simply relabelling OEM Panasonic tape. I do not have confirmation if this
is true or not. Here is some further reading about MiniDV tape:

http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/accessories.html#tape
http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/head.txt
http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/survey.html
http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/tapecrinkle.txt
http://www.egroups.com/wdb?method=reportRows&listname=tape&tbl=1

-john

[extrm]

that's interesting john.. I thought perhaps there was actually more
compression or something... but that explains the kind of problems that I
have had playing LP tapes that come in here sometimes... they only play
correctly on the machines that made' em...
John P. Beale <be...@shell3.ba.best.com> wrote in message
news:38458957$0$2...@nntp1.ba.best.com...

[DVD Evangelist]

In article <JXf14.2661$Fn6.3...@alfalfa.thegrid.net>, "extrm"
<ph...@extreme-measures.com> wrote:

> I thought perhaps there was actually more
> compression or something... but that explains the kind of problems that I
> have had playing LP tapes that come in here sometimes... they only play
> correctly on the machines that made' em...

Exactly. I always use SP, but remember reading a warning in the manual
that LP tapes would only play properly on the record that made them.

--
Mike Evangelist
CORNERSTONE COMMUNICATIONS
real address: work "at" adguyinc "dot" com

[John P. Beale]

extrm <ph...@extreme-measures.com> wrote:
: that's interesting john.. I thought perhaps there was actually more

: compression or something... but that explains the kind of problems that I
: have had playing LP tapes that come in here sometimes... they only play
: correctly on the machines that made' em...

Yes, that's right. I have a Sony TRV900 MiniDV camera and a Sony GV-D900
"MiniDV Walkman". In LP mode they will not reliably read the other's tapes
(the image often has dropouts, the timecode is often unreadable). In SP
mode they are much more interchangable, but still not 100% as reliable as
the original device in playback. I mentioned this to Sony and they offered
to realign the deck (given that it was brand new at the time) but it's
never been available to send for service (I need to use it!).

When I send my productions out for duplication I send the recording device
(D900) with it, so they can connect its analog outputs directly into their
distribution amp and there is no issue of compatibility with their
decks. This has worked fine apart from the inconvenience issue.

-john