i heard about the new hard disks that are going to replace the usage of tapes. what do u guys think about this new technology?

I think it's about damn time, I'm pretty sick of VHS tapes. I don't think I've rented a VHS movie in, like, 4 years. If it weren't for the rarity and high price of recordable DVD equipment right now, I would toss my VCR in the trash with no second thoughts.

I'm not sure about that technology. Perhaps I'm just scared of the dreaded hard disk crash.

I would be weary of using hard disks in a shoot unless I also had a simo tape backup.

But for home use...TIVO all the way!

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

CNN has already begun replacing their tape-cameras with hard disk ones.

The beautiful advantage to it is that there's no time spent capturing footage to a comp - just plug in your hard disk and drag and drop shots onto your NLE tracks.

I'm scared to death of shooting directly to a hard drive. I just don't trust it.

_________________________
http://www.jswfilms.com/

Why JW? These cameras haven't proven faulty yet? They're not even accessible to the consumer market. It sounds like you've already condemned an untested technology.

I think it's typical of what to expect for progress. Reel-to-reel magnetic tape has had it's time, and like the computers that relied on the same technology, we move on.

The real strength of an innovative filmmaker is to mix traditional technology with new technology.

There are systems available to consumers, such as the Sony DSRDU1 "Video Disk Unit." I've used that particular model and I just don't think that drives are as reliable as tapes (or even DVDs) quite yet. It will happen eventually, but not yet.

_________________________
http://www.jswfilms.com/

I'm kind of surprised at the reliability. JW, can you describe your experience? I'm curious to find out about the problems you had.

Perhaps I was just blinded by the advantage that hard disk represents.

I noticed ADS is now offering a new PYRO DV DRIVE for field recording:

http://www.adstech.com/products/API_820/intro/API820intro.asp?pid=API820

I have to admit I'm curious.

I'd like to test one.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Focus sells one now too, the FireStore FS-3.

http://www.focusinfo.com/company/pr_new/270803FS3ships.htm

sells for MSRP 2K.

my questions re: replacing tape is how much does a drive cost when you fill it up? tapes are a hell of a lot cheaper there. youd have to erase your footage and record over it, not very good if you need to keep a backup of your raw video.

I don't know about the reliability of the hard drives they use in the cameras, but I had a reasonably new 60 gig Western Digital in my PC that had about 30 minutes of edited footage (and some uneditted) on it. I almost threw up when I heard the unmistakable sound of all my data being eaten by a faulty head... Click. Click. Click. Click.

Oi. Of course, none of the data on the drive was retrevable (at reasonable cost), so if I hadn't had the footage backed up on DV tape, I would have lost everything and probably scrapped the project. In the end, I just replaced the drive and began editing again. Anyway, I'm just really thankful that the original footage was still on tape.

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