HVR-Z1U best tape to use
 

Hi All

Recently purchased a HVR-Z1U on ebay. I purchased this from a ebay store, and they do not know what brand of tape was used by the previous owner.

I purchased a few Sony DVM85HD tapes to use as all I have at the moment are Sony DVCAM tapes and DVM60 tapes for my PD150 and 170. I have used a Sony DVCAM/HDV professional cleaning tape. Just wondering if the DVM85HD tapes are the best to use for everyday HDV footage, or if I am better off using another brand? I have a friend of mine who has been using fuji tapes from day one in his XHA1 and has never had a dropout. I have a dropout every once in awhile although I use the same brand tape (Sony) with a mix between DVM60's and PDVM-40 tapes in my PD150 & PD170s. I know these are much older cameras, however there are only a few hundred drum hours on them and heads are cleaned once every few months, and once before a paid gig.

I also use a DSR-30 deck to ingest my footage from the DV tapes, however I will have to be using my camera for the HDV footage for now until i get a new deck or a MRC1 which I am looking at.

Just wondering what brand/model tape people have had the most success with the Z1U and maybe even the PD150 and 170 as i am havinvg dropouts with the DVM60s.

Thanks
Mark

I've used the Sony PDVM-40's and 32's in both my PDX10 and rented Z1Us with no problems. I recently switched to using the PDVM-63HD cassettes for both and have not had any problems. I also use DVM60s on occasion when I have to buy tape in a hurry and don't have time to order. My preference these days is definitely the PDVM-63HD. I've also used the more expensive PDVM-63DM but doesn't seem to give any extra bang for the buck.

Sorry put this in the wrong category. Should have been for Z1u

I've run nearly 300 DVM60's through my Z1U (and HV30, and previously PD150) and haven't had any dropout issues.

DVM60's here too. I've used hundreds of them in my VX2000, Z1 and HV20.
It's the only stock I've ever used, probably best to choose a stock and stick to it.