2 hour feature on DVCPRO HD tape

[Chris Borjis]

no it should be fine.

from tapeonline website:

* High Definition LP Mode:
DVCPRO equipment that is capable of recording in DVCPRO HD-LP mode (a.k.a EX format) utilizes a more precise record head that has the ability to record a track pitch that is only 9-microns wide. That is half as wide as the conventional DVCPRO record heads, which is 18-microns. Therefore, when using the DVCPRO HD-LP mode it is possible to double the record time without any loss of quality.

As of now, the only DVCPRO equipment that is capable of recording in the 9-micron mode are: AJ-HD1700, AJ-HD1200, and AJ-HD1400 decks as well as the new AJ-HDX-900 camera.

Keep in mind that a tape that has been recorded in the DVCPRO HD-LP (EX) will only playback on the newer DVCPRO decks that employ the 9-micron track pitch recording.

[Evan Schafer]

I’m not worried about the smaller track pitch, I’m worried about the extra large cassette size.

From tapeonline:

NOTE: The AJ-HP126EX is an extra large cassette and may only be used in the AJ-SD965 & AJ-HD1700 video tape recorders/players.

Anyone successfully done this with the 1400?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Evan Schafer] “‘m not worried about the smaller track pitch, I’m worried about the extra large cassette size.

From tapeonline:

NOTE: The AJ-HP126EX is an extra large cassette and may only be used in the AJ-SD965 & AJ-HD1700 video tape recorders/players.

Anyone successfully done this with the 1400?”

The tape opening is not large enough on the 1400, TapeOnline is the best resource for this kind of material and as noted, these tapes will only work on the Studio VTR models.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Michael Sacci]

Other than renting the bigger deck no way to get 2 hours on the smaller tapes. 60 (+) minutes is max on large cassettes in LP mode that the 1400 deck uses.

[Evan Schafer]

Thanks for your help! Seems silly that you buy a 20k deck and can only output an hour at a time, but I guess its just too much tape to fit in the L cassettes. Ahhh, tape, I love it and I hate it.

[Walter Biscardi]

[Evan Schafer] “Thanks for your help! Seems silly that you buy a 20k deck and can only output an hour at a time,”

Better than a 65 or 100k+ deck.

If this was my project, I would find a natural break, lay off the show to two tapes on one of our 1400’s and then take those two tapes to be married on to a 2 hour HDCAM master.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Michael Sacci]

Or just take a hard drive to a place to make a HDCAM layoff.

[Evan Schafer]

That is an option for sure, but this is for live screening so I would need a deck for playback as well. So I might as well just go for the cheaper rental, which I’m assuming would be the 1700. Panasonic has been very generous with this director and he is looking into getting a deck directly from them for this.

[Michael Sacci]

You could do an intermission 🙂 and change the tape.

the other solution would be to just record every other frame and then play the tape back at half speed to get the 2 hours on the lg tape. Sorry I think it is time to take my meds.

[Evan Schafer]

Ha! I like it.

The intermission isnt a bad idea. I’ll suggest it to the director. Of course, it would have to come directly on the 1 hour mark, unless I do three tapes…hmmm.