DV Tape (to use and not to use) at DVinfo.net

Nori Wentworth · July 29th, 2002, 10:18 AM

That is the question!

I seem to recall ther being a thread a couple of months ago about who is using what brands of tapes. There was something about Sony tapes being "wet lubed" or something.
(Being it was more than 5 minutes ago, I can't remember)

Let me know what you guys are using and any problems you have encountered.

I use JVC currently and have had a couple of digital glitches, not bad since I've gone through about 50 tapes this year already.

Chow for now- Nori

B. Moore · July 29th, 2002, 06:14 PM

Hi
The main concern is not to mix brands. I have used Sony Excellence since day one and have been very happy.

Sony uses a wet lube others use dry, mix them = mud on your heads.

If they are real cheap tapes, you'll get what you pay for and less than desireable results.

If you look hard enough and can buy in qty, you can save a lot of money on great tapes.

Bruce

Nori Wentworth · July 29th, 2002, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the reply Bruce.

<If they are real cheap tapes, you'll get what you pay for and less than desireable results.>

When I first Got my XL1 a couple of years I tried many different brands and models of tapes and did not notice a difference, perhaps I did not know what to look for. What would be the less than desireable results?

-Nori

Frank Granovski · July 30th, 2002, 01:10 AM

Don't mix tapes!

Nori Wentworth · July 30th, 2002, 10:00 AM

Yes, I know not to mix tapes.

My question is; Is there a picture or audio quality difference between tape brands?

-Nori

Edward Troxel · July 30th, 2002, 10:15 AM

MiniDV records digital data. As long as the data can be read from the tape, it will be identical no matter what kind of tape is used.

Personally, we use the Panasonic Master series tapes in our cameras. And we DO NOT mix tapes. If we had started with some other type of tape, the image would look the same.

Nori Wentworth · July 30th, 2002, 11:13 AM

That is what I thought.

I wonder why such the huge price difference in brands then?

Edward Troxel · July 30th, 2002, 12:50 PM

Roughly:

Higher quality = fewer dropouts = higher price

I have been pleased with the Panasonic MQ but also didn't have any real problems with the next step down - the PQ series. I use the MQ's to help reduce the chance of dropouts.

July 29th, 2002, 10:18 AM	#1
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	DV Tape (to use and not to use) That is the question! I seem to recall ther being a thread a couple of months ago about who is using what brands of tapes. There was something about Sony tapes being "wet lubed" or something. (Being it was more than 5 minutes ago, I can't remember) Let me know what you guys are using and any problems you have encountered. I use JVC currently and have had a couple of digital glitches, not bad since I've gone through about 50 tapes this year already. Chow for now- Nori

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July 29th, 2002, 06:14 PM	#2
B. Moore Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 181	Hi The main concern is not to mix brands. I have used Sony Excellence since day one and have been very happy. Sony uses a wet lube others use dry, mix them = mud on your heads. If they are real cheap tapes, you'll get what you pay for and less than desireable results. If you look hard enough and can buy in qty, you can save a lot of money on great tapes. Bruce

July 29th, 2002, 06:30 PM	#3
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	Thanks for the reply Bruce. <If they are real cheap tapes, you'll get what you pay for and less than desireable results.> When I first Got my XL1 a couple of years I tried many different brands and models of tapes and did not notice a difference, perhaps I did not know what to look for. What would be the less than desireable results? -Nori

July 30th, 2002, 01:10 AM	#4
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Don't mix tapes!

July 30th, 2002, 10:00 AM	#5
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	Yes, I know not to mix tapes. My question is; Is there a picture or audio quality difference between tape brands? -Nori

July 30th, 2002, 10:15 AM	#6
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	MiniDV records digital data. As long as the data can be read from the tape, it will be identical no matter what kind of tape is used. Personally, we use the Panasonic Master series tapes in our cameras. And we DO NOT mix tapes. If we had started with some other type of tape, the image would look the same.

July 30th, 2002, 11:13 AM	#7
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	That is what I thought. I wonder why such the huge price difference in brands then?

July 30th, 2002, 12:50 PM	#8
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Roughly: Higher quality = fewer dropouts = higher price I have been pleased with the Panasonic MQ but also didn't have any real problems with the next step down - the PQ series. I use the MQ's to help reduce the chance of dropouts.