What are the differences between the Mini DV tape format and Digital 8?
• Size: The Mini DV tape format is approximately 56% smaller than an 8mm tape, so Panasonic digital camcorders are smaller than comparative Digital 8 models. • Record Time: An 80-minute Mini DV tape in LP mode provides you with 2 full hours* of recording time, while Digital 8 is capable of only 90 minutes of recording. • Latest Digital Technology: Mini DV was developed as a future digital video format in 1994, while the 8mm technology that Digital 8 uses was developed a decade earlier, in 1984. The DV format is supported by over 56 companies worldwide, ensuring compatibility with other DV equipment, while Digital 8 is currently supported by only two companies (Sony & Hitachi). What is a dropout ? A dropout is when your camera fails to record an image for a short period. The most common cause is the tape losing contact with the recording heads. This can be because of irregular tape shrinkage, poor tape tensioning (along the length of the tape most often, but sometimes across the height
