What brand tape are you using? at DVinfo.net

Allan Black · May 15th, 2007, 11:11 PM

Hi all, what brand HDV tapes is everyone using in their HV20s? The Canon HDVM-E63PR are $A23 here and the JVC equivalent are $A9.50ea. I'm going to try Panasonic AY-DVM83MQ, anyone using those?

Also the manual says not to use a 'wet' lube type cleaning tape, would you think that means, no 'wet' tapes at all? Thx.

Mark Joseph · May 15th, 2007, 11:43 PM

I just ordered a box of Sony HDV tapes from this seller, cost incl shipping was about AUD$12.20 a tape. I might add, although my existing Sony DVM60 work fine so in v. brief tests, I might use the HV20 as second-unit for 16:9 SD event video - I need the reliability so opted for genuine Sony HDV media. (I'll shoot HDV & down-convert on computer)

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Alpha-Pro-Camera

On an unrelated note, my Ebay battery & charger arrived from HK. Battery claims "made in Japan", but take that with a grain of salt (maybe cells only). I am curious whether the charger is properly rated. The output on the charger is 8.4V, 4.2W -from this I calculated it will supply 500mA of current to the 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery.

Anil Dasari · May 15th, 2007, 11:44 PM

Allan,

I am using TDK MiniDV tapes with Canon HV20 (Same tapes as the ones I used with my old DV camcorder). I don't think there's any difference between these and the so called 'HDV enhanced' tapes, as some tapes are advertised. Since both types of tapes record data in digital format, the question 'Does a HDV tape record better quality video than DV tape?' is meaningless. However, HDV tapes are supposed to reduce the likelihood of drop-outs. But, dropouts don't happen that often any way.

There's a great deal of info about DV vs HDV tapes at this link:

http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=1744

- anil.

Javier Gallen · May 16th, 2007, 02:06 AM

As I learn at work, there is the same chance of failing with a regular tape, than with a "High-End Super PRO" expensive one. The only REAl difference I can see, is the number of times you can rewrite on the same tape until it starts droping here and there.

Richard Mather · May 16th, 2007, 02:39 AM

I use normal sony dvm60prl tapes in my hv10. Not had any issues so far. I dont rerecord over any of them however.

Austin Meyers · May 16th, 2007, 04:40 AM

i've been using the panasonic PQ's i think i've had maybe 1 or 2 drop outs in 20 some odd tapes, and i think that's more an issue of cleaning the cam since i've been using it as a logging deck mostly.

Josh Reiss · May 18th, 2007, 05:32 AM

I was talking with a really nice and knowledgable rep in one of the stores, and he was saying that the cheaper tapes are made "cheaper" and leave more shedding in the camera... making so they need to be cleaned more often and can fail easier.
he claimed to have had this issue with a few customers

I ignored him at first, and tried using tdk tapes in my hv20, and within the first 4 tapes, I got a message to clean the heaads. I'm not risking it... I'm sticking to sony HDV tapes from now on...

also, make sure that the tapes you get are the same type of lubricant (wet or dry) supposedly you can stick with either type so long as you don't switch back and forth which can cause the heads to get mucked up...

good luck!
-Josh

David Susilo · May 18th, 2007, 08:03 AM

Panasonic AMQ for me.

Colin Gould · May 18th, 2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Reiss

I was talking with a really nice and knowledgable rep in one of the stores, and he was saying that the cheaper tapes are made "cheaper" and leave more shedding in the camera... making so they need to be cleaned more often and can fail easier.
he claimed to have had this issue with a few customers

I ignored him at first, and tried using tdk tapes in my hv20, and within the first 4 tapes, I got a message to clean the heaads. I'm not risking it... I'm sticking to sony HDV tapes from now on...

also, make sure that the tapes you get are the same type of lubricant (wet or dry) supposedly you can stick with either type so long as you don't switch back and forth which can cause the heads to get mucked up...

good luck!
-Josh

Given what you just said above, you're note going to switch that TDK-used HV20 to wet Sonys, are you?? that's exactly the dry->wet switch you want to avoid!

I've been using regular TDK DVM60 tapes on both my Optura Pi and my HV20 and never had any dropouts or problems; I had some on my Optura when I switched brands on a trip, plus was exposed to lots of humidity/temp changes, that's it.
I have around 50hrs on the HV10; I record each tape twice (blackstripe, then record, and have played back each once or twice), and no problems so far.)

I think best to just stick w/ what you're used to, if you can afford HDV pro tapes, then go for it; I can't for so many kids/home videos :) they don't pay the way!

Ajit Bikram · May 18th, 2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin Gould

Given what you just said above, you're note going to switch that TDK-used HV20 to wet Sonys, are you?? that's exactly the dry->wet switch you want to avoid!......

Are you sure that Sony still uses wet lubricant? I had the idea that they moved to dry type few years back.

Anyway I am using TDK too!

George Ellis · May 18th, 2007, 10:00 AM

Here is the most important note about tapes

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....4&postcount=81

Pick any. Stick with it.

Me, I am using Fuji DVC tapes.

Ian Albinson · May 18th, 2007, 10:04 AM

Started with the older Panasonic MQ and now using the AMQ.

Povl H. Pedersen · May 18th, 2007, 02:45 PM

I use Sony Premium. Cheap tapes, available all over the place here in northern Europe. Data rate is same between DV and HDV, and I not had dropouts with the old DV, so I decided to continue with these in the HV20.

Steve Wolla · May 18th, 2007, 06:46 PM

I am switching to the Sony Digital Master tapes because I have had problems with both the PRL and EXL series. Iknow that each tape out there is not perfect and all will occasionally have issues. I did see a diff in the performance between the lower line sony tapes and the Digital Master series. I saw some drop outs and blocking when using Sony Excellence, which is supposeely a step up from Premium. Did not see the same thing using Digital Master.
In any case I will use the Sony DM for paid work, when I cannot take a chance. The fact that it is made to slightly higer standards should produce an advantage in reliability.
I shoot about 100+ tapes a year, do not re-record over them and generally don't have any real problems when shooting DV. In HDV, I am seeing a difference.

Norm Goodger · May 21st, 2007, 02:30 PM

I see mentions of Sony, Fuji, Maxell, TDK, what about Canon's tapes? Are they just more expensive and not really any better than some of the other HD tapes?

Are HD tapes preferred for the HV20 over the non HD miniDV tapes, does it really make a significant difference, other than cost for the non-pro user that wants quality video of family events, vacations, etc..

May 15th, 2007, 11:11 PM	#1
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	What brand tape are you using? Hi all, what brand HDV tapes is everyone using in their HV20s? The Canon HDVM-E63PR are $A23 here and the JVC equivalent are $A9.50ea. I'm going to try Panasonic AY-DVM83MQ, anyone using those? Also the manual says not to use a 'wet' lube type cleaning tape, would you think that means, no 'wet' tapes at all? Thx.

May 16th, 2007, 04:40 AM	#6
Austin Meyers Contributor Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: austin, tx Posts: 300	i've been using the panasonic PQ's i think i've had maybe 1 or 2 drop outs in 20 some odd tapes, and i think that's more an issue of cleaning the cam since i've been using it as a logging deck mostly. __________________ Compositing is my life right now. IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3596782/

May 15th, 2007, 11:43 PM	#2
Mark Joseph Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ACT Australia Posts: 148	I just ordered a box of Sony HDV tapes from this seller, cost incl shipping was about AUD$12.20 a tape. I might add, although my existing Sony DVM60 work fine so in v. brief tests, I might use the HV20 as second-unit for 16:9 SD event video - I need the reliability so opted for genuine Sony HDV media. (I'll shoot HDV & down-convert on computer) http://stores.ebay.com.au/Alpha-Pro-Camera On an unrelated note, my Ebay battery & charger arrived from HK. Battery claims "made in Japan", but take that with a grain of salt (maybe cells only). I am curious whether the charger is properly rated. The output on the charger is 8.4V, 4.2W -from this I calculated it will supply 500mA of current to the 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery.

May 15th, 2007, 11:44 PM	#3
Anil Dasari Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 47	Allan, I am using TDK MiniDV tapes with Canon HV20 (Same tapes as the ones I used with my old DV camcorder). I don't think there's any difference between these and the so called 'HDV enhanced' tapes, as some tapes are advertised. Since both types of tapes record data in digital format, the question 'Does a HDV tape record better quality video than DV tape?' is meaningless. However, HDV tapes are supposed to reduce the likelihood of drop-outs. But, dropouts don't happen that often any way. There's a great deal of info about DV vs HDV tapes at this link: http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=1744 - anil.

May 16th, 2007, 02:06 AM	#4
Javier Gallen Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spain Posts: 67	As I learn at work, there is the same chance of failing with a regular tape, than with a "High-End Super PRO" expensive one. The only REAl difference I can see, is the number of times you can rewrite on the same tape until it starts droping here and there.

May 16th, 2007, 02:39 AM	#5
Richard Mather New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NW Sunny Ole England Posts: 18	I use normal sony dvm60prl tapes in my hv10. Not had any issues so far. I dont rerecord over any of them however.

May 18th, 2007, 05:32 AM	#7
Josh Reiss New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 12	I was talking with a really nice and knowledgable rep in one of the stores, and he was saying that the cheaper tapes are made "cheaper" and leave more shedding in the camera... making so they need to be cleaned more often and can fail easier. he claimed to have had this issue with a few customers I ignored him at first, and tried using tdk tapes in my hv20, and within the first 4 tapes, I got a message to clean the heaads. I'm not risking it... I'm sticking to sony HDV tapes from now on... also, make sure that the tapes you get are the same type of lubricant (wet or dry) supposedly you can stick with either type so long as you don't switch back and forth which can cause the heads to get mucked up... good luck! -Josh

May 18th, 2007, 08:03 AM	#8
David Susilo New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Markham, ON, Canada Posts: 13	Panasonic AMQ for me.

May 18th, 2007, 10:00 AM	#11
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	Here is the most important note about tapes http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....4&postcount=81 Pick any. Stick with it. Me, I am using Fuji DVC tapes.

May 18th, 2007, 10:04 AM	#12
Ian Albinson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Springfield, US Posts: 63	Started with the older Panasonic MQ and now using the AMQ.

May 18th, 2007, 02:45 PM	#13
Povl H. Pedersen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Aarhus, Denmark Posts: 28	I use Sony Premium. Cheap tapes, available all over the place here in northern Europe. Data rate is same between DV and HDV, and I not had dropouts with the old DV, so I decided to continue with these in the HV20.

May 18th, 2007, 06:46 PM	#14
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	I am switching to the Sony Digital Master tapes because I have had problems with both the PRL and EXL series. Iknow that each tape out there is not perfect and all will occasionally have issues. I did see a diff in the performance between the lower line sony tapes and the Digital Master series. I saw some drop outs and blocking when using Sony Excellence, which is supposeely a step up from Premium. Did not see the same thing using Digital Master. In any case I will use the Sony DM for paid work, when I cannot take a chance. The fact that it is made to slightly higer standards should produce an advantage in reliability. I shoot about 100+ tapes a year, do not re-record over them and generally don't have any real problems when shooting DV. In HDV, I am seeing a difference.

May 21st, 2007, 02:30 PM	#15
Norm Goodger Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maple Grove, MN. Posts: 30	I see mentions of Sony, Fuji, Maxell, TDK, what about Canon's tapes? Are they just more expensive and not really any better than some of the other HD tapes? Are HD tapes preferred for the HV20 over the non HD miniDV tapes, does it really make a significant difference, other than cost for the non-pro user that wants quality video of family events, vacations, etc..