What is the difference between Digital8 and MiniDV ?
These are both DV25 formats. DV25 is the definition of the video signal and compression for DV and Digital8 cameras. It is analogous to using the same typewriter on slightly different paper. There is no technical difference between what the recorder sections of Digital8 and MiniDV can do. They both record identically specified signals. They just do it onto different media. DV tape is designed for digital recording so it has some avantage. Nonetheless good quality Hi8 ME tapes produce excellent results. The main drawback of Digital8 compared to MiniDV is not the tape or recorders, but rather the cameras to which they are attached. These are generally inferior to MiniDV cameras and lenses. Most Digital8 cameras are really low to mid-range Hi8 cameras designed for lower resolution and SNR recording. If you record the signals from a high end DV camera, like a Canon XL-1 you will see precisely the same results as the MiniDV recording produced on that camera.
