xdcam transfer question

[demalibu]

I am having some footage shot on Digi- Beta XDcam and need to get it transferred by a dubhouse to a suitable format for PE4.
Is it better to get my footage transferred straight onto a portable Hard drive as DV AVI or get a mini-dv tape transfer and import it myself.
Preferably I'd go straight to a drive as that eliminates a step and is cheaper, but wondering what the experts would recommend.
Thanks, Chris

[Paul LS]

If you want to archive the footage it is probably better to go to mini-DV tape. If you archive it on a hard-drive you will need to buy a second to back-up the files in case the hard-drive crashes. In my opinion Mini-DV tape is still the best way for archiving. If you are not concerned about archiving then go with the hard-drive... it will save all that time having to capture it.

[Chuck Engels]

I totally agree with Paul, excellent advice

[demalibu]

I'll go with your suggestions and thanks again.