On Sun, 27 Jan 2002 22:38:51 -0330, "Chris" wrote:

>"Paul Rubin" wrote in message
>news:7xit9o40w4.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com...
>> xyz@hotmail.com (xyz) writes:
>> > The question I have to answer is, do I want a second D8? The TRV17 is
>> > a great and affordable way to break into mini DV format. Although the
>> > TRV730 is the D8 I wish I had started with. Darn Sony marketing.
>> > Time will tell.
>>
>> The only reasons I can see to shoot D8 are cheaper tape than mini-DV,
>> and hi-8 playback capability if you have legacy hi-8 tapes. Unless
>> you shoot a lot, the cheaper tape isn't really an issue. E.g., if you
>> shoot 20 tapes a year, the $2-3 saved per tape is nothing compared to
>> the $1000 or so for the camera, but if you shoot hundreds of tapes a
>> year it starts to matter. The hi-8 compatibility might make a reason
>> to have one D8 camera but not two.

>The other issue that's been discussed frequently is that the fact that it is
>theorised that Dig8 tapes would be much more resistant to deterioration then
>MiniDV tapes.

I think this is an unknown. If you look at the two kinds of tape,
the Hi-8 is physically larger, but the Mini-DV has a very high
surface polish (it looks like a mirror) and probably tighter
tolerances. My bet: not much difference with good brands...
(and the price is now similar, if bought from good
discounters - Sony and Panasonic Mini-DV 60-min.
tapes are both under $5 in the US...).