How many times can one safely.........

[Adam Gold]

Look, it's really not that big a deal -- different people work different ways.

But you're completely wrong. Neither factor is unknown. The tapes are Sony Premiums which happen to be about as reliable as it gets -- they just happen to be the cheapest.

And the act of dragging tape over heads by definition degrades it. That's not unknown either. Just because it worked last time does not mean it will this time --- that's like saying you didn't get caught drunk driving last time so you won't this time.

But really, do what you're comfortable with. I just play the odds.

[Chris Davis]

We can only rely on two things when we make decisions: our past experiences and our faith (or lack thereof) in a company to deliver what they promise. Sony promises to deliver a tape that works the first time, every time. However, my past experience tells me that this is not true (a Sony HD tape was filled with dropouts, and it was not my camera's fault, because every tape since then has been just fine.) However, my personal experience is that no tape, once proven reliable, has failed on a second or third use.

[Shaun Roemich]

Originally Posted by Vito DeFilippo

It's like the "do we only use one brand" controversy. All kinds of anecdotal posts all over, no real evidence.

I disagree VEHEMENTLY. My old Sony PD150 heads would clog INSTANTLY after ANY non-Sony branded tape went into the camera ERGO I stopped accepting any tape that wasn't Sony branded.

Just because one has not encountered this phenomenon does not mean that it does not exist.

[Vito DeFilippo]

Hey Shaun,

Although I believe you, your story doesn't equate to controlled tests, or recommendations from manufacturers. That being said, I've heard enough reports such as yours to suspect that there's something to it, although I've mixed tapes in several cameras for years with no issues. For every post such as yours claiming problems, I've read others such as mine claiming none.

Just because one has not encountered this phenomenon does not mean that it does not exist.

Well, just because you experienced a problem doesn't mean it's widespread, or applicable to everyone.

As well, the entire issue was attributed to the type of lubricants that manufacturers used on their tapes (wet vs. dry), and I've read many posts claiming that the difference no longer exists, and hence we shouldn't worry about changing tape brands anymore.

It seems you have to go with your gut. I find it unfortunate that tape manufacturers are unwilling to comment on the issue, other than the generic "we recommend our brand." Well, of course you do, you want to sell them...

Always love your posts, and hope you don't mind the mild disagreement.

[Shaun Roemich]

Thanks Vito.

And you're right, just because I experienced a number of problems doesn't mean it's widespread BUT on a repository of knowledge like DVI, I'd like to acknowledge that the issue is reproducible by at least some THEREFORE it is not solely urban legend or hearsay.

My position is: if you DO mix tapes, you should be aware of the risks, much the same as using recycled tapes or even as another regular poster advocates "untested" first pass tapes.

So the short story is don't record anything important to tape, new or used, or on a DTE drive ever. <tongue planted firmly in cheek>

[Vito DeFilippo]

Hehehe...

Sounds like we're on the same page. Like you, I err on the side of caution because of reports I've read, anecdotal or not.

[John Peterson]

Originally Posted by Shaun Roemich

I disagree VEHEMENTLY. My old Sony PD150 heads would clog INSTANTLY after ANY non-Sony branded tape went into the camera ERGO I stopped accepting any tape that wasn't Sony branded.

Just because one has not encountered this phenomenon does not mean that it does not exist.

I have been using it's twin (VX2000) for years with Panasonic PQ tapes and have never experienced that problem. But I don't switch to anything else ever. It's not that the Sony tapes wouldn't work well if I had been using them all along just like you have, but the key as stated is not switching brands.

Now when I clean the tape heads, I don't use the Sony tape head cleaning cassette even though it is a Sony camera. I use a Panasonic tape head cleaning cassette because the tape is Panasonic. You should use the Sony cleaning cassette because you are using Sony tape.

John