#AG 1960-1970 Hi8 or SVHS
Hi Bob.
Sorry, I can't say anything on the Panansonic units.
As for which format to use, I think you're going to get a lot of
responses on this one.
I shoot and edit with Hi-8. The reason I chose it was because its
audio capabilities exceed that of S-VHS. I LOVE good sound, and found that
S-VHS's (or VHS's for that matter) linear audio tracks just didn't cut it. In
case you didn't know, S-VHS inserts audio on linear audio tracks: roughly
50 to 60dB signal to noise, with a freq. response of roughly 80Hz-10kHz.
Comparable to an audio cassette. Hi-8 inserts audio on PCM digital audio
tracks:
80dB+ signal to noise, freq. response of 20Hz-15kHz. Close to (but not quite)
CD quality. However, S-VHS has video insert capabilities as well, which
IMHO gives it the upper hand over HI-8. Once you start using video insert,
you can't live without it.
Some people are going to tell you that Hi-8 has to many dropouts and is
not suitable for editing. S-VHS isn't exactly drop out proof either. (I
wonder what kind of response this is going to get? VBG) Use good tape stock,
either Sony HMPX series or Fuji M221E series, keep your equipment clean and
maintained, and you will get Hi-8 footage as good as S-VHS.
CK