Best Tape? 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 XL and GL Series DV Camcorders

Canon XL and GL Series DV Camcorders
Canon XL2 / XL1S / XL1 and GL2 / XM2 / GL1 / XM1.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 12th, 2005, 03:27 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Perth WA Australia
Posts: 124
Best Tape?

Whats the best brand of tape to use with the XL2 ?In the hand book it shows
Canon tapes being used as one would expect,but I have yet to see Canon tapes stocked in any of my local outlets.I have started off using the standard Sony mini DV tapes, like Pasonic they seem available in most outlets.I ran Panasonic in my JVC camera but switched to JVC tapes when my supplier started stocking them.Unfortunatly when I started using the two brands I got issues with the head needing cleaning.Seeing as my XL2 is new, I would like to find the best brand that suits this camera,then stick with it. What do you experianced guys prefer to use?
Joe Barker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 12th, 2005, 04:02 AM   #2
New Boot
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 10
I have always used sony excellence with no problems at all. I have used these for years now and also with XM2 and never had any problems, just head cleaning every 4 months or so with sony head cleaner. The cheaper sony tape is probably almost as good, but I tend to think that with so much money spent on the rest of the production process with the XL2, saving a very small amount on cheaper tapes that may have a greater frequency of problems/less archive life/etc not worth the saving. Overall I definately recommend sony with the XL2.
Mike Sutherland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 12th, 2005, 06:00 AM   #3
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,244
Define "best." You ask 10 people, you'll get 10 different answers. Just pick one and stick to it. You've learned the hard way not to mix tape brands.

Now, for what's worth, we use both the Sony DVCAM and the Digital Master tapes, depending on the job. Yes, you pay more, but you get a more robust tape.

Jay
Jay Gladwell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 12th, 2005, 06:38 AM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Enterprise, AL
Posts: 857
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay Gladwell
Define "best." You ask 10 people, you'll get 10 different answers.
Hah. Jay, some of the work I do involves getting "user input" from a group of pilots with certain qualifications. We've found that your "ask 10 people, you'll get 10 answers" is really, in practice, even worse than that.

We now use the saying "if I need five opinions, I'll ask three pilots". Probably the same with tapes, camcorders, mics, etc.
__________________
Fear No Weevil!
Patrick King is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 12th, 2005, 01:42 PM   #5
Wrangler
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eagle River, AK
Posts: 4,100
Patrick's hit the nail on the head! Everyone has their own favorite brand.

But one thing most of us agree on is that once you pick a particular tape, it is safest to stick with it. Changing brands of tape has been widely reported to cause head clogging due to chemical incompatibilities between the traces of different lubricants that various brands of tape use. If you DO have to switch kinds of tapes, make sure to do a head cleaning in between.

FWIW, I use Panasonic 63PQ tapes and am perfectly happy with them.
__________________
Pete Bauer
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein
Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!
Pete Bauer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2005, 07:11 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lancs , UK
Posts: 50
yep panasonic PQ63's here as well...............no probs so far in 12 months
Mike Hardcastle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 14th, 2005, 07:13 PM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Perth WA Australia
Posts: 124
Thanks for the imput everyone,I'll stick with the Sony tapes.
Joe Barker 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 XL and GL Series DV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:52 AM.


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