#VTR recorders
5 messages in this thread
Hey folks….
I'm in the market for a VTR recorder…. I've been looking at Sony's
EVO-9650….. My question is: Is this a good recorder? Of course the salesman
tells me it's the best but is there a better recorder for my budget (around six
grand)…? The EVO-9650 uses the 8mm format. I've heard that this format
sometimes drops frames but I've also heard that you can achieve broadcast
quality with 8mm. Which one is true? Anyone with some helping advice please
give me some mail back…. Thanx….
>> I'm in the market for a VTR recorder…. I've been looking at Sony's
>> EVO-9650…..
We've been using them here for about 2 years now. If you are interested in a
used one let me know by e-mail. We are trying to get rid of one, in order to
buy some new toys.
My experience is that they are fairly good for frame-by-frame output. The
quality is by no means as good as beta SP, but still very good. The tapes do
tend to suffer from drop-out, but good tape handling practices minimize the
problems.
Depending on your needs, you may get by with a PAR (personal animation
recorder) from DPS. The quality is as good as the 9650 and its much more
convenient since it plays back real-time from a hard-disk.
Yeah, I would be interested but not immediately… Is this unit is very good
shape? I was initially interested in some used equipment but was promptly
shooed away from considering used equipment by a local video equipment store.
The guy said the chances of getting worn out equipment was about 95%….
hmmm….
I have some questions….
How much are you asking for your 9650….?
What output board do you guys use….?
Do you have some other stuff for sale…? (anything)
You talked about dropped frames but they can be handled by good tape
handling practices…? What do you mean….? What
exactly are dropped frames…? (I have a basic knowledge) Hey, I really
appreciate your reply…. You'll have to forgive me, I a bit new into the video
side of computer graphics but I appreciate your help… I look forward to your
reply….
<<used equipment>>
I will drop you some e-mail to discuss my particular used equipment, its
condition, and the pricing. Public negotiation is frowned upon in the forum.
However, let me comment on your other questions since others here may benefit.
>> The guy said the chances of getting worn out equipment was about
>> 95%….
The guy was pretty accurate. Frame accurate recording beats the heck out of
video equipment. For the most part, it requires the deck to preroll, record a
single frame, stop, and do it again and again for each frame. If my math is
right, a 3 second preroll, would require each particular frame of tape to cross
the heads about 90 times. This yields far more wear and tear than standard
video editting usage. However, upkeep and routine maintenance dramatically
extend the life of the equipment. Most decks track the number of editting
hours logged on them. Before buying, verify how many hours of use a deck has,
and when the last factory service, calibration or head replacement took place.
>> What output board do you guys use….?
We use a software only solution for deck control: Diaquest DQ232. And a Targa
64+ for a frame buffer.
>> You talked about dropped frames…
Don Landis knows a lot more about video, but let me offer my understanding of
some basics. Perhaps Don can jump in and offer any additional info he has.
There are two different problems using the word "drop". The first is dropped
frames, which may indicate bad time code on a tape or software/hardware
problems. "Dropout" is more common and refers to "noise" appearing on the
tape. This often occurs from the magnetic media being worn out or flaking off
the tape. Dirty or worn recording heads and cheap tape greatly increase
dropout.
By "good tape handling" I meant a couple of things I do here as standard
operating procedure. First, tapes are dirt cheap compared to the cost of an
animation – so use 1 tape per job. Hi-8 tapes have extremely small reels. It
has been suggested that more dropout occurs at the very beginning and the very
end of a tape because of the tight winding of the tape – so try to record
several minutes into a tape. Also, ejecting tapes may cause slight stretching
of the tape. Always rewind to the beginning before ejecting. Last, use good
tapes – we like the Sony P6-30HMPX, and others here have had good results with
the Maxell tapes.
– Dave
>>I'm in the market for a VTR recorder….. I've been looking at Sony's
>>EVO-9650…..
The PAR is something to look at seriously. Also, have you considered S-VHS?
You can get a JVC BRS-822U editing deck ready for single-frame recording, along
with a controller card, for a little under 7 grand. We are getting excellent
results and so far haas a different bios and motherboard. its
documented in the readme file thats in the 3ds software of what to try first. i
can't remember the actual file name.
sherwood