Solitaire / DV Recorders

[bvolcjak]

Can anyone out there recommend any good DV Recorders that would interface with my Solitaire? I essentially plan to shoot some long events into a stand alone DVR (since my camcorder mini DV cassettes are limited etc.) and would like to down load them into my Solitaire for editing. After editing, I'd burn them and duplicate for distribution. I'm curious to know if I should be concerned about any compatibility issues. The JVC SR-DVM700 looks promissing but I haven't been able to locate any users. I'd appreciate any comments.

[BobFoster]

I shoot a lot of long format programs. (6 hrs.) I take a casablanca editor on location and record directly to hard drive. Saves me 6 hours of loading time. Another option is a Full size DVCAM recorder such as one of the Sony units that will load directly via firewire. You can get up to 3 hours on one tape. If you record in the DV mode, up to 4.5 hours. The new HDV recorders will get you into HD at about the same price as a SD unit.

[bvolcjak]

Yes, I know my Solitaire is an option but I just hate to take it out of its "secure" environment. Right now I'm leaning towards the JVC SR-DVM700 or a Pan. AGDV 2500 DVR. Thank you for the feed back.

[TimKennelly]

I do not know of any DVRs that will be firewire compatible with your Solitaire.

I use to use an nNovia QuickCapture that was compatible and gave you lots of time, but I think there are issues of compatibility with the current models.

[TimKennelly]

Bill,

Actually, buying a used AvioDV might be your best (and least expensive) bet as you could take that out on the road and then use firewire to transfer the footage.

[bvolcjak]

Tim,

OK, I'm confused over the "fire wire" reference. I didn't mean to imply that I wanted to connect a digital recorder (via fire wire) to my Solitaire. I'm slow at all of this so if you don't mind, let me restate my position / goal.

I've got a Pana. DVX100A camcorder and my trusty Solitaire. I've also got some long recording sessions that I'll need to assemble edit together etc. I'd rather not take my Sol. out in the field but I know my Sol. will "eat / edit" DVDs etc. Hmmm..... Enter the JVC SR-DVM700 3 in-one recorder!
My perception of the unit is that it would take my camera feed and convert / transpose the data to a DVD. Oh man, here I go.. Shouldn't I be able to load the DVD into the Solitaire and edit etc.? Gosh, I hope you all don't tell me that I've missed the boat... But then again, the latter has been known to happen.

One of these days, I hope to develope a comfort level with this stuff but for now, I do thank everyone for their patience.

[TimKennelly]

Bill,

Well, if you are going to handcuff me and tell me I cannot tell you you missed the boat. . .

Some of your theory of how this would work is basically not good.

First, recording to DVD means you will be starting with an inferior source in the way of the highly compressed MPEG2 format, rather than the DV/AVI compression level that your cam records at and your Solitaire edits at.

Then you are going to have to analog input it which will cause a generation loss and at real time (ie: extended recording time, equally extended input time).

Or use Ksebara, if it happens to be compatible with your stand alone DVD recorder (which is far from guaranteed) at a considerably slower than real time input.

So you are contemplating setting up an inferior capture/storage process that will require an inferior analog further degradation input method at real time at best or perhaps far worse.

You can see why I consider this a far from ideal way of capturing long duration events.

I think a used AvioDV would be a far better choice.

You literally should be able to get an AvioDV for not much more than a stand alone recorder which could capture digitally at the same level your cam and editor captures at and would allow you to digitally transfer the footage in real time and gain a back up emergency editor and/or a machine to do some b work in the studio while your Solitaire is rendering something intensive.

[bvolcjak]

Tim,

I really appreciate you excellent comments.

Is there a way to quantify the signal degradation that occurs when recording from a camcorder to a DVD and then down loading into the Solitaire? Are we talking VHS quality? Just trying to envision what it might look like.

Would recording directly to a hard drive (and then down loading to the Solitaire via fire wire) reduce degradation compared to recording directly to a DVD?

Lastly, might I need to know about any technical issues /contraversies between the AvioDV
and my Solitaire? What's a good source to purchase an AvioDV?

[TimKennelly]

Bill,

It depends, for the most part the degradation isn't down to VHS level as the resolution doesn't take that kind of hit, but some artifacting (edge softening and such will occur), especially with motion scenes, the more motion the more degradation (compression artifacting).

I firewired back and forth between my AvioDV and Solitaire continually without issues while I had both of them.

I would suggest putting an "Interested in getting an AvioDV" in the Swap Shop forum and/or check with your dealer's used inventory.

[IanPearson]

Bill
I also frequently transfer between my Solitaire to my Avio and back again, with no discernable loss in quality.

To answer your question directly, DVD is MPEG2, which is roughly SVHS quality and although still quite good, transfer between any machines at DV quality will always be far better.

I would therefore agree with Tim, the acquisition of an Avio DV model, would be a good solution, especially as they now come at a relatively a low price.

Ian