Week of November 2, 2003<\/p>\n
Q: \u00a0 I was recently given a digital camcorder that uses MiniDV tapes. \u00a0 I use it to videotape my grandchildren and the picture looks beautiful on my big screen TV.<\/p>\n
I recently used my last MiniDV tape and went to Wal-Mart to buy more. \u00a0 The salesclerk suggested I connect the camcorder to my VCR and copy my MiniDV tapes to VHS, then re-use them in the camcorder. \u00a0 Can I do this?<\/p>\n
-George Frank., Ridgeland, SC<\/p>\n
A: \u00a0 It is possible to copy to VHS and reuse the MiniDV tapes, but there are reasons you may not want to. \u00a0 Depending on the camera you own and the tapes you use, you may run into recording problems re-using the tapes. \u00a0 \u00a0 These problems will manifest during playback, when the picture may break up or freeze occasionally. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The copied VHS tapes will not have the beautiful picture quality you mentioned. \u00a0 Video resolution is rated in lines. \u00a0 More lines mean a better picture. \u00a0 VHS is a low resolution video format, recording a maximum of 240 to 250 lines. \u00a0 MiniDV is a high resolution video format, with the best MiniDV camcorders recording over 500 lines of resolution. \u00a0 This means VHS copies of your MiniDV tapes will only have half of the original resolution. \u00a0 \u00a0 This loss will be noticeable on your big screen TV. \u00a0<\/p>\n
If you want to copy your MiniDV tapes to a more convenient format, there are ways to do so without losing the beautiful picture quality. One way is to get a computer that will allow you to download and edit your videos on the hard drive, then burn them to DVD. \u00a0 This may be a cumbersome process for you, especially since your question suggests you are new to videography.<\/p>\n
The second option is to buy a DVD recorder. \u00a0 DVD recorders are much like VCRs, but record to blank DVDs instead of a tape. \u00a0 These will record around 500 lines of resolution and preserve much of your MiniDV camcorder’s video quality. \u00a0 \u00a0 DVD recorders are available for $400 and up.<\/p>\n
The final option is a VHS VCR that features S-VHS ET. \u00a0 A VCR with S-VHS ET will record around 400 lines of resolution, producing a much better copy than a regular VHS VCR. \u00a0 \u00a0 S-VHS ET VCRs are also great with satellite dish systems as they will preserve the outstanding picture quality coming from the satellite receiver. \u00a0 S-VHS ET VCRs are available for less than $200.<\/p>\n
Q: \u00a0 In a past column, you recommend sending digital camera files to a lab for printing. \u00a0 Can you recommend a lab?<\/p>\n
-Will Price, Wichita, KS<\/p>\n
A: \u00a0 Labs using Fuji Frontier printers are inexpensive and do an outstanding job, up to professional standards in most cases. \u00a0 Frontiers can print from both digital files and 35mm film, so no photographers are left out.<\/p>\n
Many Sam’s Club stores have a Frontier and only charge .19 per print. \u00a0 Wal-Mart sells Frontier prints for .29 per print, and some Ritz Camera locations have Frontiers as well. \u00a0 Ritz is much more expensive at .49 per print. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The Frontier machines run under tight quality control standards and are digitally controlled, so spending more won’t necessarily get you better picture quality. \u00a0 I have used the Sam’s Club printing myself and have been very satisfied with the quality, which in one case was better than a pro lab I use.<\/p>\n