However, on a normal length story with few special effects, your wait will often be no longer than it takes to rewind a tape. Although you are not digitizing video, you are transferring a video data file from tape to computer, so capturing the video still requires time. Though DV systems are much more reliable than their analog ancestors were, computers do crash. Such problems tend to compound when they occur. You would do well to have other systems using DV VTRs in case your computer catches a bug.
More improvements are on the way.
Later this year expect to see products that let consumers capture and manipulate digital video at home. These technologies could mean even more economy, quality, speed and capability for newsrooms, too. A few DV cameras leap far beyond your typical hand-held consumer camcorder. It has been well received since its introduction in early 1998, and several third-party vendors have developed a host of accessories. The viewfinder, however, is not the best for focusing.