Panasonic vs. TDK
 

I always use Panasonic tape. Now I have an opportunity to buy a TDK for a great price. If I'm right the TDK is also dry lubricated just like a Panasonic. It's OK to change brand when both are "dry lubricated"?
Sombody can help me on this?

Thanks: Laszlo

Anybody? I really need to buy a tape. If anybody know this please let me know.
Thanks again: Laszlo

Why don't you just buy JVC tape. It is highly recommended and works just fine.
Ken

Dear Laszlo,

I do not know of any scientific evidence that switching tapes hurts your camera.

But I do know of many stories where people have had problems after switching tapes.

Many people recommend and have great success with Panasonic tape.

Yes, you can save a few dollars with TDK, but I would first seach this forum. Others have reported problems with TDK.

It appears that the people that report the fewest problems are those who stick with one brand of tape. (But this is not scientific evidence either.)

You're playing with fire with either. The JVC ProHD stock sells for $10-12 each in Canada.

How much are you really going to save? Not much really when you consider you could be headed for trouble with an untried brand (in your particular camera). There are many stories of problems after people mixed stock. I have had an incident myself with a client who insisted his brand was much more reliable than the JVC HD Pro that I normally use, thankfully I always record to DR HD100 as well and I now refuse to use tape supplied by the client, unless it's JVC HD Pro.
One faulty job equals huge loss on a day's shooting especilly if the event can't be reshot, possibly loss of the client, client tells other clients about problem. Final result could be thousands of dollars as a result of trying to save a few bucks on each tape.

If the brand you are using now works without problems stick with it.

TDK works pretty good for me with very little drop outs. they run me a couple dollars a tape. I'm sure the ProHD tape will have a higher success rate. I'd make your client put out for the stock =-D

Thanks guys!

I think I just stay with Panasonic.

For Tim: thanks your advise but I use Panasonic since day one on both of my HD100s. (3years in September) and I had only one faulty tape. (physically was broken)

Thanks again
Laszlo

Jvc ProHD 63min tapes are great you should be using them.

How much can you really save in the long run. Just include the cost in your price

Rob

I used Panasonic tape for years wth 3 diff/ cameras never a problem.
just my opinion
Joe

I do. It does, so don't do it.

You should only be using JVC ProHD stock in your camera. Roll the dice if you can afford to ruin your camera or don't care about ruining the shot you are capturing.