MiniDV playback deck?

[Dana Love]

Does anyone use a tape deck (other than the camcorder itself....) when logging and capturing clips?

I'm looking for a way to minimize wear on the camera while logging and capturing clips. The only decks I found on B&H were three or four times the cost of the HV20...making it a little silly.

[Stippling]

I've looked around for this as well. And answer would be appreciated.

[tcindie]

dedicated video decks generally have higher quality transports and a bunch of other features, which explains the cost -- that and they aren't consumer products which means the demand for the product is lower and thus the price is higher.

Generally the easiest solution is to pick up a cheap camera to use as your playback deck to capture and export footage. Only problem with that is there really aren't a lot of inexpensive HDV options yet -- give it a year or two and things will probably change somewhat, but you could pick up a sony HDR-HC3 for $300-400 or so on ebay.

[Dana Love]

Thanks for the answer!

[rhacker382]

Yup - yup. All of them are over $1,200... Cheaper to buy a second HV-20...

[CJDaniels]

we just got a new one at school...(yes I can never quit school) been in for many many years. It is cool.