Tape or Hard drive?

My teacher today, totally messed up my head.
He seas that camcorders who record on tape are better than hard drive.
Than I thought: "How the heck can you get HD on tape?"
He showed some HD tapes. OK.
I remembered that using hard drive cam I had to convert to start edit in FCP.
So my questions are:
Which is better tape or hard drive?
Does someone even makes tape camcorders? (Mostly home use t.i.)
Which hard drive camcorders have the format so you don't have to convert it to use FCP, because converting messes up the quality.
Hope you get the idea!

HD to tape is QUITE normal. HD was shot on tape far before tapeless HD came along. DVCPRO HD, HDCAM, HDCAM SR...then HDV. Tapeless is a NEW format.
Which is better? Depends on the format. There are roughly two dozen or so HD formats. Some tape, some tapeless. Some tape formats are better than tapeless formats, and some tapeless formats are better than tape formats. HDCAM SR, great tape format that blows away AVCHD and DVCPRO HD. But then AVCIntra (tapeless) rivals it, and RED (tapeless) kills it.
HDV is the only consumer, and even PROSUMER, HD tape format. DVCPRO HD would be the next step, but those cameras go for $45,000-$85,000. But DVCPRO HD tapeless starts at $5300.
Which hard drive camcorders have the format so you don't have to convert it to use FCP, because converting messes up the quality.
Where did you hear that? Your teachers? If so...they stink. Converting does nothing of the sort. But the tapeless formats that require no conversion are XDCAM EX, DVCPRO HD, AVCIntra (arguable)... JVC is the only camera to offer direct to QT recording for drag and drop into FCP.
Shane

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I admit I am an infrequent user of FCE (current version 3.5.1) and I think the reason is the difficulties in importing. I have Tom's books, I follow the instructions and suggestions from this forum, but for the life of me, I normally have problems. Using Canon ZR40.
So I am wondering, what is the experience of people that have imported from tape and who have also imported from the newer hard drive cameras? Assuming proper settings for both camera and FCE, do you find that importing from a hard drive camera is: Easier; Without Problems; Just as Prone to Problems?? Would I have a better experience and get off to a better start if I had a drive camera?
(..and am I missing the forum search link? I don't see it; or am I having a bad day?)

I can only repeat that there must be something wrong with your computer or technique as FCE should work perfectly.
As you have not given any details about any of your equipments specs or even FCE it is almost impossible to tell where you are going wrong.
Trash the preferences exactly as described in the link below.
If that doesn't work, completely uninstall FCE as described in the other link and reinstall it.
http://www.fcpbook.com/Misc1.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301182

Copying VHS tapes to Hard Drive for editing in iMovie

OK, so I have old home videos on VHS tapes; I was going to burn them all to DVD, but found that they cannot be edited and I understand ripping them will degrade the quality (and we're working with VHS -- not the best quality to begin with!) So, I learned there is a way "analog digital capture" where I can transfer the VHS tapes onto a hard drive, then edit in iMovie.
I know I could pay for a transfer house to do it, but I think it would be wiser financially to invest in the device I need to do it myself.
I don't entirely understand what I need to buy, or how to do it, does anyone know what I am asking and what to do? Thank you so much!

I am using a JVC DR MV-150 VHS DVD recorder which dubs directly.
The results look better than the originals.
Some problems with "finalizing" the DVDs, but I managed to push a series of buttons and got there. It is not what JVC says in their manual and found something on line which was wrong as well, but a combination got me there.
It is one touch, load in tape, load in blank DVD and push dubbing. Machine initializes the DVD and then transfers, at the end you go through a process to "finalize" the DVD and done.
Cost me $200 at Sma's Club.
You can also take semi full tapes and pause the dubbing and put in a new VHS tape and record a "New" chapter.
All in all I like it. It has better quality than going from VHS to computer, I assume they have some sort of a chip in the machine to make this better.
my 2 cents

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I'm trying to replace the HDD on a mid 2010 Mac Mini with a SSD. I followed the video guide on Other World Computing (http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2010) but forgot to put the spacer on the back of the SSD to make up for the difference in depth from the original HDD. When I tried to put it back together, it wasn't fitting together properly, so the thermal (?) tape keeping the plastic cover and heat sensor on the hard drive (the "tape" seen in this Apple part: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-OEM-Original-Part-076-1369/dp/B007BZYY0Y?tag=ifixita m-20) and the top pad to the optical drive flex cable (the cable for illustrative purposes http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Mac-Mini-Unibody-Optical-Drive-Flex-Cable-p-24104. html) lost all of their adhesiveness.
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http://www.ebay.com/bhp/thermal-adhesive-tape
http://www.amazon.com/Akasa-ak-tt12-80-Thermal-Adhesive-Tape/dp/B001GIM9V8
Google thermal tape for more

FCE, tape vs hard drive and SLR cameras

i believe I am correct in stating that in the past FCE would not accept video from a video camera that recorded on to a hard drive, only mini DV tape. I have recently read that there has been a change, does anyone know about this? Also is there a distinction in video cameras as there is in still cameras between point and shoots and SLR's thank you joanl

The only hard drive camcorder that FCP supports is the P2 system by Panasonic. I can't say anything for FCE though.
If you are looking for a professional camcorder, look for 3 CCD camcorders. Then look for a manual focus ring. Those two things will probably lead you to some professional camcorders. Some of Panasonic's camcorders have 3 CCDs but are small and don't "look" professional, but the image quality is excellent. It's better to have good image quality than a cool looking camera (although the latter never hurts.)

Tape versus hard drive HD camera

I know this subject has been beaten to death, but I just wanted to make sure of my decision. I've heard that tape is better because various editions of FCS may or may not have problems dealing with video recorded on a hard drive video camera. I've also heard that the quality is better with tape. And that you also might lose your footage if the hard drive goes kaput before you download the footage. I've decided to repair my 2 year old camera (over $560) because I love it to death. By the dealership is giving me flack about it because I can buy a hard drive camera for a lot cheaper. Am I right in keeping my tape based camera?

I've recently sold my tape based camera and have moved to cameras that use P2 cards. I love it! I can either log each clip with in and out points, or just dump everything onto the hard drive. The workflow is much faster for me.
It feels good to not be "consuming" plastic and everything else that comes with tape. In fact--there is a "green your film production" movement within our micro-industry of wildlife filmmaking. One of the suggestions is to get rid of tape based systems.
Which reminds me--anyone want a Sony DSR DV tape deck?
But honestly I jumped from a DV camera (Canon XL2) to a Panasonic HD camera...so the quality jump helped lessen the sting of nostalgia . Kind of like going from film SLR to digital SLR. I kinda miss the dark room.
I certainly understand, though--if you were like me it wasn't just the camera--it was all the lenses that went with that tape based camera, the (once) expensive tape deck that connected to the computer, etc. etc.
I'll tell you though--ten years ago I was spending almost $50 per tape for HD CAM. It feels good to not incur that expense any more. You certainly second guess pushing the trigger when tape is not cheap--and then there's film... We won't go there...
Really, it just depends on your projects, who your intended audience is and what makes sense for your film budget. We could all drown in debt trying to keep up with this technology. The problem is, it's all so cool! Good luck!

Problem Capturing Cannon XL2 tape to Hard Drive

I am using a Cannon XL2 Camera with a firewire connection to my MacBookPro.
Normally I record directly to the HDD and use the cassette tape as a backup.
This has been working fine up unitl the .7 version.
I needed to use the backup tape version so I attempted to download it to the computer.
It did connect, and I had full control of the VCR functions of the camera. But FCPX
Captured the footage in very short clips ranging from 3 frames to 20 frame duration.
When I watch the tape in in viewer without anttempting to capture it, it plays fine.
But somewhere in the capture process it is getting messed up.
Can anyone point me in the direction to finding a solution. I don't even know where to start.
Thank you
jac

There are lots of similar reports. I've encountered this at times with earlier versions, but not recently. For any tapes that I couldn't capture I ended up by capturing in legacy FCP. Many people have successfully used iMovie for capture, and edited in FCPX.
Good luck.
Russ

G3 does not see desktop hard drive.

Hello! Back in April 2006, I purchased a blue and white G3 from my employer. I installed some extra memory, wiped the hard drive clean and installed OS 10.3.x and Adobe CS. Everything worked beautifully.
I shut down the computer, unplugged it, wrapped it in plastic and stored it in a safe place until I moved to my new home. I recently took my G3 out of storage over the holidays and tried to set it up. When I turned it on, I got the “Happy Mac” symbol along with the blinking “question mark”. I was disappointed that all of the previous installations I had put in seemed to be missing.
I decided to re-initialize the hard disk (desktop) and re-install the OS 10.3.x and the other Adobe programs. The G3 has no problems starting up from the start up disk, but there is no desktop ( or hard drive) icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Only the start up disk icon is visible.
When I start to install the OS 10.3.x, I get stuck where it prompts me to select a volume to install the OS. There are no options. I cannot select my hard drive because it simply does not appear. The “options” button is “grayed” out.
I tried using the disk repair utilities and still I had no success in locating the hard drive.
There were 3 items which were showing up in the list, all of which had a “CD” icon. The first icon had a disk with a Japanese sounding name. I could not select it and I could not even verify or repair it. The second icon was also with a disk, with the name “Session 1”. Again, this could not be verified or repaired. The third icon was the start up disk icon.
It is as if my computer can’t see itself! I can’t install anything because there seems to be no desktop to install it into. It is quite frustrating, especially because I had taken the time to set it up last year and everything was working perfectly fine before my computer went into storage. My G3 seems to be “happy” even though it can’t start up without a start up disk. I am hoping that I don’t have a hard drive melt down. I would greatly appreciate some help on this! Thank you!

Hi Limnos, Grant and Eustace,
Till now, I had my G3 on "sleep" with my start up disk in the CD drive. I followed Limnos' instructions and opened up the side again. I made sure I was grounded and I tapped the hard drive. There was no noise or whirring. I placed my fingers on it, and there were no vibrations. The Blue Moo was really blue now. I thought for sure the drive was dead. With a heavy heart, I began to close the computer up. As I clicked the side closed, all of a sudden, I heard the familiar "whir" of a hard drive. I dared not to get too excited. I quickly ejected the start up disk, and lo... the G3 started up on its own!!!!! I had my hard drive icon, my programs, everything was there!
I had no problems re-installing the OS 10.3.x, I had no problems upgrading my Adobe CS programs.
My hard drive was there, exactly where it was supposed to be.
I don't know what exactly what brought it back from the dead. It may have been a combination of all your good advice put together and a bit of luck. In any case, I am up and running and I am truly thankful to all of you for your help. I also learned quite a bit from this experience from you guys, and that in itself, was very valuable to me!
I can't believe how last week, I was thinking I may need to get rid of my G3. But I stuck to it, and with your help, I now have a fully functioning machine!
Buckets of thanks to you again!
The Blue Moo (a very happy Moo indeed!)

Transfer vhs to Hard drive

Searching for the best way to digitize my VHS-C tapes to hard drive, not to DVD ?
Thanks
Brian

People have reported success using this device from Elgato: http://www.elgato.com/video/video-capture
You are likely to find the entire process tedious and therefore not the "best way" you seek. I have used the services of a company called Yes Video and was satisfied with the results.
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How do I capture tape-based media to my external hard drive? There is only one firewire 800 port on the back of my I mac. The manual says to import tape footage directly into fcpx, but then I lose my external hard drive. thanks for your help.

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Thanks for your response, but that doesn't solve the problem. Yes, the LaCie hard drive has 2 firewire ports-
I have always done what you suggest (works fine in FCP7), but in FCPX when I do that the camcorder icon
does not appear. It only shows up when I DIRECTLY import the footage via firewire. ????

I am using Windows 7 64-bit on a partitioned hard drive on a MacAir. The trackpad will only work with a click. How do I get the full function of tap and scroll?

I am using Windows 7, 64-bit on a partitioned hard drive on a 2012 MacAir. The trackpad only works with clicking. How do I get the full function of tap and scroll? (I have this on a 2011 Mac Pro with 32 bit Windows 7 and it works properly.)

Windows Control Panel>Boot Camp Control Panel>Trackpad.

1 hour and 2 minutes on PAL DV tape always = 52 minutes on Hard Drive, why?

Every time I copy my I hour DV tapes to my firewire hard drive and it finishes, it always says "About 52 minutes of video was recorded". If this was due to dropped frames I could understand but it always says the same thing. If frames are being dropped is there anywhere to check it on iMovie 08?
Thanks
Kevin

Hi Bengt
Thanks for your advice but I did close and reopen iMovie 08 many times and the camera is a DV tape camera and can only record and output in PAL.
I will try again but I have checked the settings over and over again.
Are there any other places to check the settings other than under iMovie 08 preferences and Project properties?
I sent feedback to Apple just in case that helps.
Thanks
Kevin

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Then correct the name of the song or point iTunes to the new file.
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Best method for importing mini DV tape movies directly to an external seagate hard drive for later import to iMovies ??

Best method for importing mini DV tape movies directly to an Seagate external hard drive,for later import to imovie event???

The simplest and cheapest option is LifeFlix. They have more info at www.lifeflix.com or on the Mac app store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lifeflix/id630212114?ls=1&mt=12

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Does anyone know the release date of these two SCSI drives? If you can ballpark it that would help, but please indicate how certain you are.
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Re: the Hard Drive.
I have an Apple brochure dated Feb 1989 that offers the Apple hard Drives: 20SC, 40SC, 80SC, and 160SC \[and that's all].
My recollection of the drive you pictured is that it was mildly scandalous because they were not even made by Apple -- they were made by a prominent (in those days) drive reseller with the Apple logo on them.
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Tape or Hard drive?

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