On Tue, 09 Apr 2002 23:21:16 GMT, Erik Harris wrote:
>On Tue, 9 Apr 2002 07:08:18 -0400, "RGBaker" wrote:

>>The DV SP / LP distinction is tape speed _only_ -- same bit rate, different
>>'tape' density. Like the difference between a single density floppy and a
>>double (that is to say, no difference at all as far as data is concerned).

>Then what is the disadvantage of using LP mode for non-archival purposes? If
>the bitrate is the same, the quality is the same, unless the lower tape speed
>results in bit errors (which would corrupt the stream unless the DV format
>has a lot of error checking overhead).

That is it. In theory, dropout rate is higher in
LP mode, and in time, changes in the tape are
likely to result in more loss of data - but in
practice, there is little difference in the two
speeds. The error correction is very good in the
Mini-DV medium, and if you keep the camera clean,
you are unlikely to see many dropouts (don't mix
tape brands, though...!). I use SP (and Sony "EX"
tape) for archiving edited material, SP with
either grade of tape for "serious" shooting that
I want minimum dropouts in, and LP when "messin'
aroun'", testing, shooting unimportant stuff, etc.