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Best Beta SP to work with Decklink Extreme PCIe
I just ordered the Decklink SP Extreme PCIe. I export alot of motion graphics and 3D work (digital format), finally will get to export to BetaSP. I’m worried about loosing too much quality though. I usually render all my work out as Quicktime Animation or TGA sequences…anyway. Since I can’t afford a Digibeta, what would be the best Sony Beta SP model to get that will capture excellent quality from this Decklink and Premiere Pro?
What about these models:
Sony PVW-2800?
Sony Sony UVW-1800?
Sony BVW-75? -
13 Replies
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If you don’t need the features of the 2800 or the 75 (4 channel audio and increased bandwidth) than the 1800 is the best bang for the buck.
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I read up on them on bcs. What I couldn’t see by specs was whether these decks output and record better quality.?
I see the PVW-2800 records to metal BetaSP tape, does that mean regular Sony Beta SPs won’t record in them? -
I found out what I needed to know:
Sony UVW:
Luma Bandwidth = 30 Hz -
More useful info. Just thought I’d share so someone searching like me in the future won’t spend days figuring this out.
https://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/amia-l/2000/07/msg00092.html
Sorry this thread should maybe now be in a different forum.
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dear mr. orgeon –
The entire Beta format has been discontinued by Sony for over a year now. The “broadcast” model – the
BVW-75 and BVW-70 have been discontinued for over 10 years now. The PVW-2800 was introduced as an industrial/coporate video product – not meant to compete with the BVW series, but everyone bought it at the time, because it was $15,000 at the time, as opposed to $35,000 for the BVW-75. Sony wanted to get “the rest” of the market, like education, and introduced the UVW-1800. Professionals at the time all said that the UVW series was complete junk, but at it’s $8000 price point, everyone bought the UVW-1800. It became so popular, that this “piece of junk” became the most popular Beta VTR of all time. No one ever rejected a tape becuase it was recorded on a UVW-1800.If anyone is trying to sell you a “new” Beta VTR, they are lying to you. These products are old. A typical UVW-1800 can be purchased in the used market for $4000. I can’t imagine BVW-75’s being sold for much more than this, as these machines are all about 10-15 years old.
Sony will continue this business practice in the future – as we now observe the “soon to be released”
Sony HDW-1800, which is the “cheapo” HD Cam VTR (compared to the now discontinued HDW-F500 which was the broadcast machine for $90,000). I am sure that all owners of the HDW-F500 will call the HDW-1800 a piece of junk, the day it is released.Welcome to the video business.
Bob Zelin
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lol, crazy.
Bob, you rock, thanks for that good info! -
why not export out self contained QT movies of your work and having it layed to digibeta at another facility? that way you don’t have to spend $$$ on a deck (how many layoffs would you have to pay for until it made up the thousands you will spend on a deck?)
betaSP kind of sucks compared to digibeta… -
Yeah, that’s what I’m reading. It’s just there are times I have a producer with me and at times we need to go through the tapes and highlights. It’s just much more convenient and better for the client or makes my job or employees job easier.
I see beta is a dying breed, but the tapes still live and yes, I probably never would make the money back on buying one, I’m paying for convenience. Well…this time around, I am renting one, but still have to pay insurance or the deck cost on the card as a deposit. -
When I bought my PVW (about 14 years ago!), I was paying more per month in rentals than the financing would cost, so it was cheaper to buy. I’d suggest doing that math, if you haven’t yet. You should be able to find a deal on a used one, though. Add on about $2-3K for new heads and an overhaul, just in case.
I understand your situation: if your clients are using BetaSP, then you need to use BetaSP! So, having a deck in the rack can be worth $$$.
BTW, I almost always deliver QTime files on DVD-ROM as output now, even to my “BetaSP” clients. Once they see the lack of (tape)noise, they are happy to wait a few minutes to do an import on their end. I either use a native (for them) codec, like AVID Meridian, or a photo-JPEG QTime set at about 95% quality. As a *very* rough comparison, BetaSP would be more like photoJPEG at 50-60% quality.
my biased, unscientific opinions…
-jeff -
Maybe look for a good used DVCPro50 VTR? Much better quality than the BetaSP.
jason
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