Black levels different on import

Hi all. I'm digitizing a DVCam Master tape of a show that I'm putting on DVD. In the studio where the show was edited, the blacks look perfect. But when I digitize on my system, the blacks look a lot lighter. I've compared the QTs I'm making with QTs my client made, and my client's are much darker. The weird thing is we both digitized using Firewire. Could my deck be causing a problem? (It's an older Sony WV-DR7, a grey-market Japanese player that takes full size DV tapes, and also plays DVCam). Could it be the way I'm digitizing? (I'm going in firewire, which I always assumed was identical to the tape). Any one else ever had these issues? Any solutions in FCP itself?
Any ideas?
G5 Dual 2.5 Ghz   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  
    FCP 5.0.4

It's most likely your IRE setup with the deck. Here's where it gets tricky because I don't know how your older deck handles DV. But to sum up, digital media needs to be captured to your NLE at 0 IRE and analoge video will need 7 IRE in order to mainatain proper black levels. So check your deck and make sure it's set right for your particular capture.
With more modern decks the default setup is usually for DV and 0 IRE but your deck may be different. It's worth it to do a test using the 2 different black setup levels on your deck. Obviously you'll choose the setup that gives you proper black levels in FCP, whatever that setup turns out to be.
- Don

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