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Tape Stock for AJ-HD1400
I have an AJ-HD1400 on order. I am currently using an HDX900 camera and I will be using the VTR for playback and capture as well as an external recorder for longer format recordings.
So, here’s the question…
Will the HD1400 record on the medium DVC-Pro cassettes such as the SDX900 uses? Or do I have to use the actual DVC-Pro HD tapes? Obviously, the cost of the HD tapes is much greater and it would be a real advantage if I could use the same tape stock for the camera and VTR.
I have searched the manual and it never actually says anything about this other than to promote the use of the HD tapes. Is there any official word on this?
Steve Brown
10-20 Productions -
5 Replies
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Steve,
Not to worry! The decks (1200A/1400) will take both sized tapes for recording and playback and with an adapter will even handle the small tape such as used in the DVX/HVX.
JS
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John,
Thanks for the info! It is nice to know that I can use the same tapes in my SD-93 VTRs and the HD1400.
Steve Brown
10-20 Productions -
The only thing to know with using SD tapes (I have used them for a bout 6 months in the 1400) is that the HD tapes run about twice as fast as the SD tapes. So a 24 minute SD tape gives you about 12 minutes recording in HD. Same with SD 66 minutes = ~33 minutes HD.
And you probably are aware, but the adapter for playing back mini-DV tapes only alows for playback. You can’t record to mini-DV as far as I know.
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Matt,
Thanks for the input. I find it interesting that even the Panasonic 64 minute HD tapes run only 32 minutes in the Varicam, as I assume they will in the 1400. I can only assume this is a throwback to the older Panasonic HD VTRs, with which I have no experience.
I am starting to wonder why there is still a special DVC-Pro HD tape available. Is there any advantage? Can the VariCam use the 66 minute large cassettes that I use in my AJ-SD93s?
Steve Brown
10-20 Productions -
Steve,
FYI, the newer generation of DVCPRO100 decks such as the 1200A and 1400 (in addition to the HDX900 camera) have a smaller recording head “gap” than the Varicam; 18 mictons vs, 9 microns, such that the same tape lasts twice as long in record mode. A 126 minute “yellow lable” for example that is 32 minutes in the Varicam, is 64 minutes when recorded in these decks!
JS
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