Dvcam Pal

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02-28-2006, 01:45 PM
Dzinerbear

Dvcam Pal

Hey guys,

What the hell is DVCAM PAL? Are these a DVD disc or more like a recording tape that you put into a camera?

Thanks
Michael
02-28-2006, 01:55 PM
pierrefitch

DVCAM Metal Evaporated Component Digital Video Tape

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...lue=405237_REG
02-28-2006, 06:25 PM
jIgG

From what I've read DVCAM is like MiniDV tape, DVCAM tapes are bigger and have some performance advantage to them that is used by semi-professionals

There's also DVCPro, DVCHD and XDCAM /variant of DVCAM/ that are used by news stations that are moving from analog betacam tapes to digital.

The whole thing with the DV format I think has to do with the ability to dump the video for non-linear editing.

Those swanky video cameras Sony recently put out, that are HD 16:9 use yet another variant of DVCAM called HDV. Which I think can be usee with MiniDV tapes, or with specially marked HDV tapes to prevent dropped frames.
02-28-2006, 06:27 PM
jIgG

PAL is just the Euro format for television. 720x548 25fps I think

US uses NTSC 720x480 29.98 frames per second
02-28-2006, 06:29 PM
citiboyz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzinerbear

Hey guys,

What the hell is DVCAM PAL? Are these a DVD disc or more like a recording tape that you put into a camera?

Thanks
Michael

Michael,

We shoot on miniDV but use DVCAM for mastering. It's a larger tape cassette that can hold much lengthier content while still being recorded on SP speed. Some decks, like the Sony DSR-11 which we use, can accept both miniDV and DVCAM so it's great for us.

Steve
02-28-2006, 06:34 PM
jIgG

Steve i have a dumb question if I may :)

with MiniDV tapes you have to play it like a regular VHS tape while the camera is connected to you computer to get the video off right?
02-28-2006, 07:24 PM
citiboyz

Quote:

Originally Posted by jIgG

Steve i have a dumb question if I may :)

with MiniDV tapes you have to play it like a regular VHS tape while the camera is connected to you computer to get the video off right?

Well, yeah. You either connect the camera, or a studio deck (like the Sony DSR-11 we use) to the computer through the FireWire cable, then the editing software takes the data from the tape, but it does it in real time. The data rate for miniDV is fixed, so there is no high-speed option for transferring the tape to the computer. MiniDV is already digital, though, so it doesn't need a capture card in the computer. Does that explain it?
02-28-2006, 07:35 PM
jIgG

ok got it

For some reason I keep thinking you plug the camera to the PC and it gets the video like it was on a hard drive.

Thanks :)