CompuServe Messages

John: >The issue as I understand it is tape fragility. The VHS/SVHS tape can withstand more abuse than 8mm. BUT the VHS lays down a control track AND sound mixed with video. So audio dub can only be done to the inferior linear track, which is mono I believe. >OTOH, Hi lays down RCTC code and PCM audio separate from video. Yes they mix audio with video for straight stereo hifi like VHS but they do the PCM also which is DAT really. How can you beat that?< Good point, John! OTOH, not *all* Hi8 camcorders/edit decks lay down PCM–at least, they didn't used to (when I was researching it for an article on sound postproduction a few years back, I found out that only the more expensive decks–in the $2,000+ range–laid down PCM). And I don't know how it is for you, but tape/case fragility is a *big* issue for me … >If you're going to mix audio at same time you do the assembly edit then you could go to either format. But you can see the flexibility going to Hi8.< Yes, I can–I'm just more comfortable w/S-VHS as an edited master format, is all. Tim