I see Sony is marketing a new brand of tape "DVCAM Digital Master" (or something along those lines) that claims to have an extra magnetic layer to have "50% less drop-outs and 90% less errors" than consumer DV tape. Sounds good to me...but the price is $16 a tape (mini dv, 60 minutes in DV, 40 in DVCAM).

The only reason I'd even consider such an outrageous price is that I do professional event videography. I get paid a good deal to cover events and a drop-out (aural, or visual) would be a MAJOR headache.

Do you think this new brand of tape is worth the investment for once-in-a-lifetime recordings?

Personally for such important events I would go with a firestore
like appliance (which you should be able to quite quickly write
off as a business investment) and record to that AND cheap DV
tape (in case something does happen) at the same time. Then
keep the tape as a backup and work of the recording on the
harddisk. Saves you time, hassle and there is a lot less chance
of something going awry, especially since tape can be quite
fragile to all sort of influences.

I would not want to see a "use cleaning tape" in the midst of
a wedding shoot for example...

Yeah those things are great- my only problem would be the logistics of carrying it around with me- all the while having an IEEE cord running from my camera to the unit. It would probably both the heck out of me.

Talking head interviews, etc- it would be perfect. In the field where I move around a lot....probably not.

What are you shooting with?

I mounted a Firestore to my XL1 and it was okay. It was fairly back heavy, but only a little bit more than having a wireless receiver and dual charger back there.

I've also seen guys put them in back sacks, shoulder bags, and fanny packs before.


I almost forgot, there are some new model Firestore type devices (can't think of the brand name right now) out there that are very slim and light and will actually mount on your accessory shoe.

I think the Firestore 4 is made for consumer size cams (so it is small and easily portable) and is around $700. If I was shooting often, myself, I'd probably get one (especially if they can be upgraded for HDV via firmware update)