Which tapes to use in the XH-A1 at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders

Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders
Canon XH G1S / G1 (with SDI), Canon XH A1S / A1 (without SDI).

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 23rd, 2008, 10:21 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 522
Which tapes to use in the XH-A1

What tapes do you guys recommend for the XH A1?
Should they be dry HD HDV tapes like this?

Panasonic | AY-DVM63HD 63 Minute Mini DV Tape | AY-DVM63HD | B&H

Thanks.
Oliver Darden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 24th, 2008, 02:28 AM   #2
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Kent UK
Posts: 26
I have been using Panasonic "DVM 63 AMQ" tapes in my XH-A1 and my wifes Canon HV30 since they were new and have not had any problems "yet".


Paul W. H
Paul W. Hazeltine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 24th, 2008, 08:24 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 288
There are some long threads around here discussing this topic. The bottom line is that it pretty much doesn't matter, just stick with one brand on your camera or you might have some problems with the tape heads. I have used Sony Premiums on all my cameras. Only one minor dropout on the XH-A1 in the last year.

Pat
Pat Reddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 24th, 2008, 09:48 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 30
I use TDK (HDV) tapes. Not a single dropout in 6 months.
Denys Pyevtsov is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 24th, 2008, 10:17 AM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 85
I've heard you can use any brand of dv tape you want as long as you run a cleaning tape between switching brands. I've used only Sony minidv in my HV20 and never really had any problems.

Best,
Andy
__________________
www.dvfilm.com
Andy Olson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 24th, 2008, 07:48 PM   #6
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: North Conway, NH
Posts: 1,745
The Panasonic DVM63AMQ seem to be a favorite for Canon users. I did a bit of research before I jumped to HDV with my XH A1 nearly a year and a half ago and that tape came up most often.
Tripp Woelfel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 24th, 2008, 10:07 PM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 558
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Olson View Post
I've heard you can use any brand of dv tape you want as long as you run a cleaning tape between switching brands.
correct, but not recommended.

JS
John Stakes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27th, 2008, 04:51 AM   #8
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 522
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Stakes View Post
correct, but not recommended.

JS
What do you recommend John?
Oliver Darden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27th, 2008, 11:39 AM   #9
New Boot
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Denver Colorado
Posts: 9
I wouldn't want to clean the heads a lot cause that is wear and tear on the heads.
Dave Messinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 27th, 2008, 01:18 PM   #10
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 477
For personal stuff, Sony Premiums.
For clients, Sony Digital Master 63's. Try and avoid 80 min tapes, as they are often too thin.
Steve Wolla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 28th, 2008, 02:02 AM   #11
New Boot
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 15
What is if any difference between the Sony and this?

Canon | HDVM-E63PR Video Cassette | 1313B001 | B&H Photo Video
Bob Bowers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 28th, 2008, 02:46 AM   #12
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Burbank
Posts: 1,811
I don't know about the Canon master tape, except that it costs $18.50.

I use the Pamasonic 63 min. AMQ tape (Advanced Master), and I just bought a box locally at a store for under $7 a tape. Here is some spec info on that tape:
Tape Resources - Panasonic AMQ - Ultimate DV / HDV / DVCAM Tape - Frequently Asked Questions -

I have searched the web in the past and found detailed information on many of the different tapes sold, but haven't recently. The information being recorded is identical no matter what tape is used. The structure of the tape, the particular chemicals used in the manufacture, the durability of the tape in several dimensions, etc. are differences in the tapes. All the manufactures make a consumer tape, a mid-range professional tape, and a high-end professional tape (and possibly other designations as well). Prices vary wildly, so it is difficult to say if pricing is actually inline with manufacturing cost. I think in some cases it might not be.

In the past six months the Panasonic AMQ tape seems to have come down in price about 20-25%.

I have read that Canon tapes are made by somebody else I think (Panasonic?), but that may or may not be true, and that wouldn't mean tapes are equivalent any way.

Bottom line, to get a grip on the subject, it is necessary to search and find detailed specs on each given tape and compare them (relying on trusted technical sources).
Jack Walker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 28th, 2008, 05:03 PM   #13
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Wayne PA
Posts: 17
I did alot of research previous as well, and decided on the Panasonic AV-DVM63AMQ as well.

They are $5.63 each at B&H here:

DVM63AMQ | B&H Photo Video
Stephen King is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 4th, 2009, 11:57 AM   #14
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Abilene, Texas
Posts: 42
One question in my mind is how many times can you or do you use a tape? I suspect there is no one right answer. What do you look for in a tape that tells you its reached its end of useful life and needs to be thrown away?
David Gibson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 5th, 2009, 01:02 PM   #15
Trustee
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Miami, FL USA
Posts: 1,505
Our rule here is: never reuse a tape. Sounds profligate, but it's not:

(1) Tapes cost less than a good roll of color film. It's false economy to re-use them.
(What sense does this argument make? Have had to use the simile with management, we're a newspaper. We used to issue a hundred rolls of $5-a-pop film to photographers and not give it a thought, now they complain if we buy a hundred tapes a month. So I make this point, they sometimes seem to get it....)

(2) Tapes can and do develop drop-outs, physical wear and oxide particle loss with repeated use. Do you want to risk your effort and the time and expense of producing a piece to save $5?

(3)Tapes are your fall-back archive for your work, if you use them over or throw them away the access to your raw files is gone too. My two cents. // Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team
Battle Vaughan is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:29 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network