Panasonic Tapes at DVinfo.net

Shane Coburn · May 14th, 2007, 10:12 PM

The local store was out of Sony HDV tapes, so I bought the Pansonics. Nowhere on the packaging does it say what the tape is or is not compatible with, however, it does say that "HDV is a trademark of the Sony Corp." on the back. I know that some warn against using other branded tapes inside your DV camera (due to different lubrication), but have the new 63 min. HDV tapes transcended this restriction?

Bill Wilson · May 20th, 2007, 07:46 PM

From the way your post read I gather you have been using Sony tapes. The main problem you are likely to experience is the Panasonics may leave a buildup on the heads & tape guides in your cameras tape transport. The reason for this is Sony uses a wet lubricant on the tape & Panasonic & most other manufactrers use dry lubricant.

Mixing wet & dry lubed tapes usually results in clogged heads causing drop outs or banding of the recorded video. It is a good rule to stick to one brand of tape & never mix the two types. I had problems with some of the Panasonic tapes in my old Canon GL1; from what I have learned it was more than likely the weak clutch on the take up reel that was at fault. I have since switched from Canon to the Sony FX1. I also switched to Maxell tapes & have had no problems with them, after a fellow videographer recommended
Maxell.

This may sound like heresy but I do not buy into the theory that special HD tapes must be used. I use Maxells standard 63 minute tapes & the weddings &
other events I have shot with the FX1 look great; this is what many of the members of Professional Videographers of Central Fla. also use.

Why pay extra for HD tapes when a standard $2.65 tape will do the job equally well?

If you do experience head cloggs get a Panasonic head cleaning tape & follow the directions, on occasion you may need to make 2 passes with it.

Shane Coburn · May 21st, 2007, 09:50 PM

Bill -

Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, I have been using Sony HDV tapes. I ended up using the Panny's for a shoot, because I had no other choice. However, I'll try not to in the future. As for the cleaning, thanks for the advice there. It makes sense to use a Panasonic cleaner if I run into trouble.

Thanks,
Shane

Matthew Pennings · May 22nd, 2007, 07:49 AM

Bill,

I've been using Maxell MiniDV 63 min tapes for the past year - and I love them. I can't seem to find a place that sells them in bulk. Where do you get yours, and do you get them in bulk?

May 14th, 2007, 10:12 PM	#1
Shane Coburn Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 95	Panasonic Tapes The local store was out of Sony HDV tapes, so I bought the Pansonics. Nowhere on the packaging does it say what the tape is or is not compatible with, however, it does say that "HDV is a trademark of the Sony Corp." on the back. I know that some warn against using other branded tapes inside your DV camera (due to different lubrication), but have the new 63 min. HDV tapes transcended this restriction? __________________ Me on Vimeo, LinkedIn, and Twitter

May 20th, 2007, 07:46 PM	#2
Bill Wilson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Leesburg, Fla Posts: 86	Panasonic vs Sony tapes From the way your post read I gather you have been using Sony tapes. The main problem you are likely to experience is the Panasonics may leave a buildup on the heads & tape guides in your cameras tape transport. The reason for this is Sony uses a wet lubricant on the tape & Panasonic & most other manufactrers use dry lubricant. Mixing wet & dry lubed tapes usually results in clogged heads causing drop outs or banding of the recorded video. It is a good rule to stick to one brand of tape & never mix the two types. I had problems with some of the Panasonic tapes in my old Canon GL1; from what I have learned it was more than likely the weak clutch on the take up reel that was at fault. I have since switched from Canon to the Sony FX1. I also switched to Maxell tapes & have had no problems with them, after a fellow videographer recommended Maxell. This may sound like heresy but I do not buy into the theory that special HD tapes must be used. I use Maxells standard 63 minute tapes & the weddings & other events I have shot with the FX1 look great; this is what many of the members of Professional Videographers of Central Fla. also use. Why pay extra for HD tapes when a standard $2.65 tape will do the job equally well? If you do experience head cloggs get a Panasonic head cleaning tape & follow the directions, on occasion you may need to make 2 passes with it.

May 21st, 2007, 09:50 PM	#3
Shane Coburn Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 95	Bill - Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, I have been using Sony HDV tapes. I ended up using the Panny's for a shoot, because I had no other choice. However, I'll try not to in the future. As for the cleaning, thanks for the advice there. It makes sense to use a Panasonic cleaner if I run into trouble. Thanks, Shane __________________ Me on Vimeo, LinkedIn, and Twitter

May 22nd, 2007, 07:49 AM	#4
Matthew Pennings New Boot Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 11	Maxell Tapes Bill, I've been using Maxell MiniDV 63 min tapes for the past year - and I love them. I can't seem to find a place that sells them in bulk. Where do you get yours, and do you get them in bulk?