I use Sony DVM60PRR that cost $2.20 at B&H. If I need 80 minute tapes I purchase the DVM80PRL that cost around $8.50...

I have heard mixed reviews on the DVM80PRL tape but have a job coming up where an 80 minute tape would be helpful. Can anyone elaborate on the experiences they have had with this tape?

Typically, I use the PHDVM-63DM, PDVM-40N, and have been testing HDM-63VG tapes. Thanks for any input.

Bryan, I've only used a handful of the Sony 80 minute tapes, but performance has been flawless thus far. It really takes the stress off of a "one hour" presentation to have a few minutes to start rolling before it starts and a few on the back side when things go a little long.

All Sony mini DV actual tape grades are the same, but the 83min is 2 microns thinner than the 63min. It's done by calendering (polishing) the wide web of tape. Great party trick by the manufacturers.

As I menioned earlier the price differences are in the DV tape shells and the packaging. That you can see on all the dealer sites, btw I check their ratings at Store Ratings and Reviews by Real People - Trusted Online Shopping (http://www.resellerratings.com/)

Buy the 5 pack and when you load one, make sure it finishes lacing up in the transport before you close the lid. This has come up before where a run and gunner had problems through closing the lid too soon.

Then it's a good idea to spool in for 5-10secs and back, before you record from the start. This seats the tape properly in the tape path and helps unstick the tape pack.

Record for 10 secs before getting serious, during this time I occasionally speak (slate) ALL the cam and ALL the mic settings for reference later. Put your brain in gear first folks, can be tough on an early shoot.

Cheers.

I have one update I would like to add. A golf buddy of mine is a high school football coach. I have always like the sideline action so I wrangled a sideline pass out of him to shoot some test footage and to practice. Since I had no plans on doing anything with the tape I used a once used Sony Pro HDV tape (the real expensive ones). I was just watching my footage and I had 3 drop outs on that one tape. There were no drop outs in the original program that I shot but the second time around I wasn't so lucky. That is the first drop outs that I have ever had with this camera. I guess it is time to run a tape cleaner through it. Sucks.