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MillimeterSony Points Out Crucial Differences Between Pro and Consumer DVCAM Tape
Jun 28, 2002 12:00 PM
Cinematographers Learn First-Hand How DVCAM Tape Provides Highest Levels of Digital Video Performance
PARK RIDGE, N.J. - When Jamila Paksima was shooting a recent documentary, she ordered consumer DV tape for her DVCAM camcorder based on price. While the DSR-PD150 DVCAM camcorder she was using can certainly accept and play consumer DV tape, the consumer-grade tape couldn't stand up to the rigors of the environment in which Paksima was shooting and editing. She quickly converted to Sony's DVCAM tape for her next project about AIDS in Africa.
This highlights the recurring confusion about consumer DV tape and DVCAM tape offering the same performance capabilities, says Jo Ann Vozeh, director of marketing for Sony Electronics' media and applications systems division.
"Consumer DV tape is great for home and personal use, but under the stressful environmental conditions in which most cinematographers like Paksima work, DVCAM tape is the best choice," Vozeh said. "Paksima's story illustrates the need for understanding the advantages that DVCAM tape provides to professional cinematographers."
Like film stock, not all digital tape is alike; it's more than just brands and variations in tape formulation. According to Vozeh, there are fundamental differences between consumer DV tape and Sony DVCAM tape.
"It obviously makes sense to use the right media to optimize hardware performance and extend hardware life and minimize maintenance," she said. "Using Sony DVCAM tape instead of consumer DV tape is essential to realize digital's full potential."
DVCAM Is More Than Enhanced Tape
DVCAM tape is, in fact, an enhancement to the format itself that maintains compatibility with the standard.
"Sony looked at the DV format and found ways to optimize and improve its performance," Vozeh added. "DVCAM tape extends DV capabilities to produce the highest-quality footage that holds up under the most rigorous editing environments. Over the long term, DVCAM tape's durability will also yield superior archives."
"Digital tape is, ultimately, a digital storage medium," Vozeh said. "As with any digital storage technology, what's critical is the ability to capture and retain information as well as transfer data consistently - without errors. With this in mind, DVCAM tape is inherently superior. It stores greater amounts of data to capture images. Playback has increased reliability, integrity and stability."
Continue the discussion on “Crosstalk” the Millimeter Forum.