Digital 8 vs MiniDV

[digicam]

Hi,

Recently, I am trying to buy a DV. If the option must be made between Sony DCR-TVR120 and JVC GR-DVL300U. I'd really love to hear what you think. I am stuck in making decisions just like the scenario of AMD vs Intel. "Digital Origin" comments D8 technology is not publicly supported and "they think" it's just a "short-term" show for Sony, even though I don't think this way.

Besides, Sony's provides 25X optical, yet JVC's 10X even though JVC has higher resolution (SONY 480K vs JVC 680K pixels). I don't know if that makes much difference for the result. Besides, Sony does look a little bit clumsier (because of Len 25X plus Hi8 Tape).

If anyone of you own Digital 8, please let me know what you think. Any comments would be greatly appreciated...

TIA,
digicam

[Reuben98]

I am not familiar with the particular models you are having in mind, but what I think is the main disadvantage of Digital8 is that the maximum recording time you can get is 60 minutes, that too with a 120 minute High8 tape. This, I understand is because of the higher tape speed in Digital8 camcorders.

The other disadvantage is that it is Sony Proprietary format and not an industry standard. Unless you have a large number of High8 or 8mm recorded tapes and want to use your new camera to play them, I don't think it makes sense to go in for Digital8.

Having said that, Digital8 camcorders costs less than true DV camcorders in general.

Good luck and Happy Holidays

Reuben

[digicam]

Ruben,

Thank you for your comments that do mention some weak points of Digital 8. Maybe the most difficult decision to make is the optical zoom. After all, 25X vs 10X is quite critical.

May you have a great Christmas there,


[This message has been edited by digicam (edited 22 December 2000).]

[iMike]

I use Digital8 and can detect no difference in quality against miniDV. The big advantage to me is price, and the ability to enable DV and analogue input, so I can use it to bring in all types of format to my computer, the cheapest Minidv camcorder to do all this is nearly twice the price. Considering Hi8 is still readily available, the D8 format should be around for a few years yet, and will continue to do what I need it to even after that.

[johnpr98]

Hi

I have the Sony TRV120e (PAL)I can record in LP without any apparent loss of quality & get 130 mins on a 90 min Hi8 tape.

I normally stick to SP though as I think it will be the safest to play back in 10 years time.

johnpr98
http://www.johnpr98.com

[iMike]

I forgot to mention that a 90min tape will give 60mins on D8, and longer if set to Long Play.

[digicam]

Actually, price between D8 and DV is almost same here in Canada. D8 is propietary standard since Sony announced in early 1999. The good is D8 comes with the very promising industrial toy "Firewire" and Hitachi recently jumped into the D8 pool by announcing 2 new D8 models. Sony will market their D8 player soon. Looks like Sony will make D8 "something".

Basically, I don't think D8 will fall into the same problem like Beta and VHS years ago (Sony's Beta came first to the VCR world with less safer mechanism like tape-rewinding with direct surface contact.) But, I am concerned about the compatibility with the possible new technology in the future. Particularly, the computer side. We've never known what is coming up next month.

In name of its own strength:

DV: higher resolution, progressive mode, DV industrial standards, smaller in size.

D8: Optical Zoom X25, better tape pricing, Sony's InfoLithium technology.
(I may forget something... http://www.dvdoctor.net/cgi-bin/ubb/smile.gif )

Since you found there's not much difference in image quality, I gain more confidence in D8. After all, the optical zoom is quite critical to all optical equipments, isn't it?

By the way, we can only have half length of Hi8 when shooting with D8 in NTSC (ie.60min. for 120min H8 tape in SP, D8). Besides, SP is always recommended for better result as we should always scan still image at 300dpi (except for web) in consideration of imaging process later.

Thank you for your opinions that are valuable...

digicam

[iMike]

Apologies for assuming you were UK based, as regards price and tape length. I agree Sony appear to be showing good support for D8, and with Firewire, should remain computer compatible in the future.

[digicam]

Hi iMike,
Sorry, this sever seems down for few days... and saw your message till now.

The apology is totally unncecessary and it's completely understood.

Happy new year...
digicam

[Alan Roberts at work]

Don't overestimate the importance of a big-range zoom lens. It's almost impossible to use the big zooms hand-held, you need a tripod. I have a Panasonic DX100, "only" 12:1 zoom and I hardly ever use more than the first third of that, even on a tripod. Image quality is the thing to pay for, after all, you're buying a digital recorder to put it on, so why compromise? Why not pay for what will always show, rather than what you may never use (or be able to use in practice)?

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[Mark Dicker]

I have a TRV310 and the picture quality is excellent.

It is worth noting that the data recorded to D8 tape is identical to DV. The cameras apparently use the same chips.

I'd like to see a 3 chip D8 camera. However I think that is unlikely at the moment because Sony will want to keep the cheaper D8 for consumers and push DV towards the professional market.

I did once hear of someone attempting to use an old broadcast 3 chip camera connected by S-Video to a D8 camera. I wonder how that faired?

Anyway if I was trying to choose i'd just make a list of all the things I wanted to use the camera for. Prioritise the list into "must haves" and "would likes" and then see which cameras fit the bill and budget.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Mark Dicker

[tom hardwick]

Ah Alan - I too have a 12x zoom and quite happily - or maybe fairly happily - use the camera at its maximum focal length. That's the beauty of optical Steadyshot. It's by no means rock steady but the picture "float" it converts the heartbeat bumps into are very acceptable. But there's no denying that a tripod will sharpen up anybodies footage, regardless of the focal length at which they shoot.

tom.

[Alan Roberts at work]

I've been impressed with how much sharper my pictures are now that I use a Hague stabiliser for hand-held. There's a gentle wafting around characteristic that's wquite acceptable when the balance is right. Mind you, I did once get the balance exactly perfect, and it would stay in any orientation, it felt quite odd setting the camera 30 degrees off axis and walking around with it. I'm a lot happier now that I make it more bottom heavy.

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