Has anyone used a mini-dv camcorder to load mini-dv tapes onto a mac to edit? And then used the mini-dv camcorder to record the finished edit and to produce the master? If "yes" what were your image qualities? Do you think this is a servicible method that can avoid buying a separate mini-dv deck? Any brand ideas?Thank you.
I do it all the time. You'll get the same quality as you would if you used a DV deck. The only down side is that you'll burn out the heads in your camera quicker. If you are just using the camera to transfer your video to your computer and then back again, I'd suggest a low end camera, and brand will do, but keep in mind the cheaper the camera the less life you'll get out of the camera heads.
Instead of buying a deck just get a cheap miniDV camera. When the heads go out buy another one. I use a real expensive camcorder and I was not going to buy a deck so I use a cheap camcorder for capturing.