HV20 Playback flickering

[lllkeyframedlll]

I am trying to digitize video shot on a Sony PD 170. In Playback mode in the viewfinder, the video is flickering and "12bit" is flashing. I can't find a setting to change that makes this stop, and the timecode breaks when I attempt to digitize in FCP. I have no idea what the problem could be.. this is happening to both tapes shot on that cam & footage from a different PD 170 is playing just fine.

[drapeama]

I am trying to digitize video shot on a Sony PD 170. In Playback mode in the viewfinder, the video is flickering and "12bit" is flashing. [..] this is happening to both tapes shot on that cam & footage from a different PD 170 is playing just fine.

This Sony model (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony-dsr-pd170-camcorder-review.htm) use DVcam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DV) media...not sure if this could be the problem : "The main difference between DVCAM and regular DV is that DVCAM records to a 15 micron track pitch where as DV records to a 10 micron track pitch".
And i think that DVcam only allow 16bit/48Khz recording, but not 100% sure.

[Janke]

You can probably shoot both miniDV and DVCAM on that camera. They are not directly compatible - different tape speed. Is there a switch on the cam to choose?

[drapeama]

Is there a switch on the cam to choose?

Reading the title & the original...i think he's using an HV20 to playback the DVcam tapes from the Sony PD170...that's probably where the problem is.

[Janke]

Ah, yes, I missed that title....

Yes, that appears to be his problem - DVCAM tape.

I've tried it, i.e. playing a DVCAM tape on the HV30 - you do get a picture, but it's broken up and slowed down.

[lllkeyframedlll]

We shot on 2 different PD 170, and footage from one of the cams plays fine on the HV20 (but not from the other)?

[drapeama]

Both NTSC & both DVcam format? There's not one in standard miniDV?

[lllkeyframedlll]

Both NTSC, all 4 tapes on Sony DVM60PRL Mini DV Tapes.

[Janke]

Plausible explanation: One camera was set to DV, the other to DVCAM recording?

(The actual physical tape cassette is the same. 60 min of DV, but only 36 min. or so of DVCAM fits on one tape.)

[drapeama]

I guess Janke's probably right...can't see anything else...

[lllkeyframedlll]

Ok, thanks for the feedback... anything I can do about this? Can I digitize directly from the PD 170 (or a deck)?

[drapeama]

Can I digitize directly from the PD 170 (or a deck)?

"The DSR-PD170 has every port a user could want. An S-Video in/out, a fire wire port, and FULL SIZED RCA CONNECTORS are located underneath the first body colored flap on the right side of the camera"
As it has a FireWire port, yes you can.