On Fri, 20 Apr 2001 16:49:11 GMT, "Christopher A. Leonti" wrote:

>Is the basic difference between Digital8 and Mini-DV (i.e., TRV900 and
>TRV830) that you have the ability to rapidly transfer the video to a
>computer for editing? I am quite fluent with still digital and analog
>photography, but video is relatively new and this is one area I have not
>been able to find the answer yet. Since there is such a large price
>difference (almost double) between similar DV/Digital8 models, I figure
>there must be something more.

The others did not quite answer your question...
the D8 and Mini-DV (and DVCam, etc.) use virtually
the same digital format (signal), with differing tape
types and recording speeds. While the medium potential
is the same with all, D8s tend to be low-end
consumer-grade cameras, with compromised imaging
capability; with Mini-DV, more money gets you
3 CCDs and generally improved picture and sound
quality; paying even more for top end Mini-DV
or low-end pro gear generally gets you nearly
the best the medium is capable of - but there is
no inherent reason a D8 camera could not be equally
good. Marketing decisions determine what you get
more than the medium capability does... All the
consumer digital formats transfer digital data to
a computer by FireWire.