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First there was tape, and in the beginning it was good. Then came computers and the day of the digital camera - even better. Today new digital decks using hard drives are offering new and different features at an attractive price. The DV Bank from Datavideo is the latest offering and is uniquely different from the others.
The DV Bank is available in two models, a 60GB version and a 120GB version. It records video in the DV format just like a camera or deck, which has advantages and limitations. The 60GB version records a little over four hours of video, while you can get about nine hours with 120GB. The company indicated it may offer larger sizes in the near future. With the DV Bank you just hook up any Firewire (IEEE-1394) camera and start recording. If you've ever used a VCR you'll already be at home. Just think of it as a digital VCR that's able to record on up to 99 different, instantly accessible tracks. You can even do assembly edits on one track, as well as produce some outstanding special effects.
The main reason for a product like this or its nearest competitor, the Videonics FireStore, is that DV tape can have dropouts. I know because a DV tape dropout recently happened to me, and it can ruin your whole day. Why does it seem like the one clip you need is always the one with the problem? This is especially true when you're documenting a one-time only event like a wedding, concert, or the finish of a race. The DV Bank prevents just this sort of thing from happening by simultaneously recording to a hard drive in the DV tape format. A case could even be made for making this your primary video deck when one considers the higher cost of today's DV VCRs. At the very least it would allow you to use your DV camera less often for playback, and that alone may be enough, especially for the smaller studio.
Initial Deposit
While the manual, like most, is too simplistic, it's no problem as the DV Bank hooks up and operates like any standard video deck. If you have any...