Tape brands
 

Seeking oppinions here:

What kinds of tapes are you guys using?
In the past I've been using mostly Sony tapes with my DSR-500 and when using Z1U but with the HD100 I am being told that it could be an issue because Sony tapes use 'wet' lubrication vs. JVC/Fuji and others using 'dry' lubrication.

Hence, the thinking here is: we all know not to switch tape brands back and forth, but if one uses Sony tapes with the camera from the get go and doesn't switch to other brands, would that cause any concern?

Of course, JVC reps will claim that that's bad but is it really?

Sony tapes should not be used in JVC or Panasonic gear. It will clog the video heads. Use JVC tapes in JVC gear. What you've heard about 'wet' tapes it true.

I've been Sony Reds with my camera from the get-go with only one dropout.

I know there will be others that disagree, but I subscribe to the idea that as long as you stick to one lube formulation, you'll be alright for the most part. I'm also sure that some lubes are better than others, and prob dry is better.

The only Sony tape I would consider using (if it was the only tape I ever used from day 1) would be the "Reds" (DVM63HD.) It is designed for HDV with "50% fewer dropouts" (and the FX1/Z1 need the fewest dropouts possible) but they are also using a new lubricant that I have heard works OK on any brand camcorder. Very expensive though!

However, I have used a couple of the Panasonic MQ tapes (that is all I ever put in my DVX or XL2 without a single problem) and JVC "Pro" DVM60ME. I haven't seen any dropouts except for a slight 1 frame glitch sometimes when at edit points in the original tape. I don't think this has anything to do with the tape, but is a MPEG2 hiccup.

Officially, the recommended tape is JVC's M-DV63PROHD. It is probably your best bet.

I'm using Sony Excellence (DVM60,the black and red ones) and a Sony cleaning tape as well.

Nate, your website looks great!
Tried to watch the clips on your reel, but they would play for about 10 seconds and freeze. But I like what I could see. Are all them done with the HD100 or there's DVX100 in there too. Some of them seem to be shot with the Mini35 too.
Very nice work.

Are you kidding? I couldn't have made all those videos in the 2 months I've had the camera!

All were shot on the DVX, except for Tsunami Bomb which was shot on the FX-1. None were done with the Mini35, only the one I just shot the other week which isn't up yet.

I have been using the Panasonic MQ tapes without a single drop-out. It is a great product. I am of the school that calls to stick to one brand for your camera and you should not have any problem. That has been my experience in more than 100 tapes being used in different camera brands/models.

My 2 cents...

Luis

Panasonic now have their Advanced Master (AMQ) in miniDV format now too.

I use a sony camera with Panasonic AY-DVM83PQ 83 Minutes Mini DV Professional Quality Video Cassette for over year without one dropout. I am a big fan of having more tape time that these tapes offer.

I read somewhere that for the HD100 it is not recommended to use the 80 minutes tape. I do not understand the rationale, but it might be related to the timecode. Or maybe because they do not consider anything above 63 minutes to be manufactured to a professional level it is required. Any comments?

Luis

Tape over 60 minutes is on a thinner poly base, and more susceptible to stretching.

Tape that stretches, even the most tiny amounts, will cause data read problems like dropouts, etc.

Regardless, I use these tapes all the time, and use them over again, and never had a drop out or problem. I will report back if anything bad happens. But so far I am sticking with this as brand and workflow.

I am neurotic about changing to different types of tape or brand names.

Interesting, thanks for all the responses.

Now, here is another thought: if Sony's long GOP is more prone to dropouts and while the tape transport of Sony cameras (Z1U) and others (incl. HD100) must be somewhat similar, why would Sony use technology that others don't endorse - wet lubrication? We have used SONY Digital Master PHDVM-63DM tapes in Z1U without problems, in punishing environments, including this year's Burning Man in Nevada desert.

Can someone actually explain the difference between 'dry' and 'wet' lubrication?

Nate,

Thanks for remind me abouth the reason why those long tape are not recommended nor considered profesional grade.

Luis

Oops I've used Sony tapes (just one tape) so far? Can I switch to JVC now, or will it ruin the Camcorder? I guess it won't matter once I use the harddrive.

I think that you are safe since you have used only one. To be in the safe side, you may run a cleanning tape as recommended by the instructions before switching to the new brand.

Luis

What I've hear many times is you can switch as long as you use a cleaning tape between types as Luis said. Obviously you don't want to wear the heads out either so avoid switching all the time...

I use the cheapest tapes I can get, TDK brand at $2.50 each.

If you search well the web you will find the Panasonic MQ at about $4.50 - 5.00/ea and you are getting a 100% reliable, professional tape that you know will not damage/clog your camera heads.

Luis

Ask the guys from JVC what about their ProHD special tape

I need to buy tapes today for our new GY-HD100, in bulk. Any good places to buy on-line that you all have used? Considering the Camera, if I wanted to keep the media cost fair whats a good tape/brand? I'm not getting a solid feeling after reading the other postings in this thread. Is EVERYONE using something different? lol

For reference...
We use only the Sony Premium tapes on our Cannon XL1s, no brand switching. The new JVC camera will use a different deck BR-HD50U so I could start using a different tape brand without risk of "infecting" our other camera/decks heads. I almost like the idea of using a different brand than the Sony tapes so that I know what was shot HD over SD at a glance.

So where's the value?
 

If this is so, why is important to pay $19-22 for the Sony PHDVM-63DM?

'cause they are better...?! eh? No really, you get what you pay for.

I have run Sony video tapes over the last few decades without ever one failure. I have had other brands of DV tape with noisy cassette mechanisms as well as other thigs, such as drop-ots or evidence of digital artifacting that appears to be tape-related. I would have no fear or hesitation whatsoever in running Sony tapes in a JVC machine.

I also think it is stretching it a bit for a manufacturer to suggest that their cam is designed only for use with their tape. They'd never be able to enforce that warranty-wise.

What would make the biggest difference is not whether Sony tapes are used in Sony cams, or JVC tape in JVC cams--that should not be a factor at all--but rather, in sticking to a brand that you like and not switching back and forth constantly. Choose your brand, base that call on your past experience, and stick with it to the greatest extent possible, and you should do well.

If all the info on using the same brand vidio tape as the camera is true,then what about Canon XL2 ? I have never seen Canon brand tapes available in any of the countries i've travelled .The only Canon tape i've seen was in the add for the camera.Also what about the head cleaners? I have been using Sony tapes in my XL2 because they are available at just about any vidio store.

Source for JVC tapes
 

Anyone have a good internet source for JVC ProHD tapes in the eastern US? My regular sources do not carry them.

Just a suggestion--your interests may be best served selecting a brand of tape that is more readily available. There are several to choose from that equal the JVC tape and that are more commonly available. That way you reduce tyhe risk of not being able to get ahold of the tape stock you want when you want it.

Interesting thread.....
I just put 30 jvc prohd tapes through my camera and one of them (the 3rd one) was absolutely stuffed. When trying to log it into fcp5 using 'capture now' i am given hundreds of clips, each a break in time code. (One interview a half hour long has 320 clips!!! Frustrating to say the least) I put this down to either dirty heads or 1 bad egg.
Then due to unavailability i was forced to use 3 of the expensive sony hdv tapes. I ran a head cleaner first (Panasonic- jvc unavailable. again) and have had no problems.....yet. Touch wood.
Does anyone know what sort of life expectancy the jvc tapes have on the shelf compared to others. Archiving is fairly important for my client and they wanted to know just what was so special about the jvc 'prohd' tape..... ? Are they superior to regular mini dv tapes?

Craig