Tape for HD100
 

I use the chipest Panasonic tapes (DVC Linear Plus) since September. Just before Christmas I bought five "Panasonic Master" Both great tapes.
Honestly, I don't feel any difference. I still have couple dropouts even with the Master too.
Now, I need to buy more tape. I can buy a chip Pana. DVC Linear Plus for 2.10 ea. if I buy 100+
My question is this linear Plus tape is also "dry lubricant" just like a "Master"
Or just a "Professional, Master and Advanced Master are "dry lubricant" ?

Thanks: Laszlo

Hi Laszlo,

I've been using these tapes for 7 years (Click here for JVC tape) in everything. The HD-100 is no exception. They perform without dropouts and I've rebuilt many timelines from the past without any issue at all. You get them by the brick of 10. I usually get 4 or 5 bricks at a time.

good luck...

It is normally fine just to stay with one brand. I've always used sony excellence, so now I'm continuing with sony. Not that I think that's the best tape (or one of the best), but changing is risky. I'm getting quite some dropouts as well when reusing tapes. That is just something I shouldn't do. The only thing I'm considering is switching to sony's DVCAM tapes - they have hard cases - interesting for protection against shocks and dust when it's in my camcorder bag...

Dry lubricant
 

Thanks guys!

I always use Panasonic MiniDV tapes, and I'll stay with it.
But I really want to know which one of the four (Linear Plus, Professional, Master, Advenced Master) have "dry lubricant" cote.


Thanks

ProHD Tapes
 

Keep in mind also that JVC did bring out a new tape in conjunction with the ProHD products. It's model # is MDV63PROHD. It is tested to have an even lower drop-out rate than our previous premium tape, the MDV63PRO. Most of my clients are using the MDV63PROHD tapes and getting excellent results.

From what I've been reading on many posts in here the type of lubricant depends on the brand. All Sony tapes have wet lubricant; Panasonic, JVC, Fuji... have dry lubricant. I can't find info on the net about tapes, I'd like to hear from an expert or technician. Someone was told by a technician from JVC that Panasonic tapes are ok for using with the HD100. Seeing that JVC and Panasonic are cousins ore brothers ore what ever they are, I wouldn't be surprised if the tapes were the same.

For the record...
I was told that the Panasonic AY-DVM63MQ-Master Quality was a good tape for the HD100. But after running 35+ tapes I can say I'll never buy another. I had bad dropout on one tape during a recent shoot and had to try another tape in mid shoot. A good portion of the other tapes had long horizontal and misc. small block dropout on occasion as well. I don't mind the minor dropout after hitting VTR, but when they pop up 15 minutes into a 30 run... that's a problem. And yes, I clean the heads.

I guess it's time to try the MDV63PROHD.

Hi Dan,

Try these for a small investment (Click here for JVC tape). They perform without dropouts or any inssue at all. One brick of these is $22 and I tell you they always work without dropout. I had the same problem with the Panasonic tape in the HD-100 but the M-DV60DU JVC tape is clean over and over in anything. Try one brick and you'll be a believer...

Which brings up the next question...

When is the firestore drive going to be available?

My plan is to strictly use the firestore drive and only use the tape drive
as a secondary to important shoots.

Now that's the million dollar question. I emailed Focus on the weekend asking the same thing. I hope to hear back soon.
They were careful to say on the new webpage for the DR-HD100 that it captures m2t only for HDV - no transcoding.
http://www.focusinfo.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=149

This doesn't mean "Direct to Edit" for most NLE systems, yet. I'm now really hoping that FCP6 simply has the ability to work with m2t so that we don't have to transcode everything captured on a firestore.

Also, does this mean that the timelapse function won't work in HDV either?

Oddly, on Focus' Firestore Compatibility chart, the HD100 and 101 are listed as only working with the DR-HD100 and not the FS-4Pro HD. I thought they were essentially the same thing?

Good question Tim..

Let us know if you hear anything.

Thanks

I have a feeling there may be other issues going on than just tape stock.

I've used the JVC60ME tapes (also suggested in this thread) and had some drop out issues on playback. (replaying the same area again didn't product drop outs).

I've switched to the Panasonic DVM63MQ with no problems yet....

So it seems different users are having random results from these various tape stocks.

I ordered one yesterday from B&H, but haven't received any confirmation about a shipping date yet. Of course, it's Monday and they probably won't catch up from the weekend's business until the end of the day. Has anyone received one of these yet? I'd be curious to know if they're working out well or if any of them have even shipped yet.

Are the Fs-4 HD's still having time code issues?

The intervalometer function was brought up at the JVC event. It was still unknown at the beginning of Feb and to this day one of my counterparts here in Chicago that does stop animation has just discovered the intervalometer functions of iMovie and may give up on the Focus Enhancement product.

I read somewhere that the "Pro" version was needed in order to set it so that it will demux the files and provide DTE for Liquid. Otherwise the m2t's are demuxed upon import from the FS into Liquid's media management. It's not a transcode but instead breaking the m2t down to elementary streams upon import. The "Pro" version is supposed to keep the files demuxed. The real question is, how does it embed TC? In any other DTE with AVI sources the TC is created upon ingest into the system. It is likely the same scenario for m2t...

Panasonic dry or not dry?
 

Anybody can turn back to the original question???
All Panasonic miniDV tapes are dry lubricant, or just a higher ends?

Laszlo

That's interesting to see. I am expecting a new unit tomorrow from Holdan the Uk reps for Focus after sending my first one back. They tested 1080i and said it worked find but my question to them was 'can it deal with 720p 24fps?' I'll get the new unit back tomorrow and will test it but I have a funny feeling the problem will be the same. I went for the fs4 as the dr hd100 was not available at the time of shooting the irony is it has not worked anyway. However, looking at that compatability chart maybe that is why. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Greg C

I just spent this last hour searching on Google. I couldn't find any info on that.

About Sony Tapes
 

Hello people,
i've read on this post someone saying that has been using Sony Excellence tapes. Well, as a video camera repair technician at a JVC Oficial Technical Service, i recomend you not to use this tapes, i have information that this tapes are very abrasive, in fact, i had situations with cameras using this tape, whose drum was worn out after 200 hours (for the GY-DV500, JVC recomend replacing the drum at 2000 hours).
The Sony Premium "heats" the drum, and after 30 minutes the error rate increases, and block noise may appear. Let the camera cool down and i twill be ok.
The TDK have bad mechanical construction, problem on insert / eject, broken tape, etc...
JVC recomends using JVC, Fuji or Panasonic tapes. For best results use the ProHD63 tape.

i hope that this helps

Best regards

I'm using the Sony excellence tapes. If it is that bad, are the DVCAM-tapes any better? Every tape has it's own disadvantages - so hew bad is it really. I'm just a little reluctant to switch brands (not because it is SONY - not at all actually - but because of inconsistensy)....

DV Tapes
 

Hello Werner,
i understand what you say, but i'm only sharing some info and not saying that they are in fact bad.

Regards

Bruno,

Any opinion on the Sony Digital Master tapes? I began using them when the JVC tapes were not yet available; should I be thinking about cleaning the heads and changing to JVC tapes? Don't want to be wearing my heads out at 200 hrs!

Thanks,

Gary

Hi Gary,
i don't have information about the Digital Master, but i suppose that if they are intended to be used as masters they should be good. Now, about changing to JVC tapes (ProHD 63), i think is better, because this new tape was developed to be used with GY-HD100, so i think it's the better choice.

Regards

Bruno

Olá Bruno

What about cheap JVC tapes? I'm using the M-DV60ME, Is it safe for the camera to use these tapes?

I can't find the ProHD tapes here in Portugal, when I shoot important stuff I use the Panasonic Master tapes but I'm trying to stick to one brand. My idea is to use the cheap JVC to weddings and long events where one or two drop-outs won't be such a concern. For documentarys and stuff for broadcasting with limited footage I'd use the ProHD tapes.

The last TDK I used was damaged, I missed the first 10 minutes of footage... never again.

Cumprimentos vizinhos

Diogo

Diogo,

That's exactly the tape I use without issue.

Stephen, I'm using these tapes for some reasons: they're cheap, they're from the camera's same brand and I read from your posts that you've been using them for a few years. But my question is, what makes the difference between cheap and expensive tapes? Is the life of the footage or is the life of the camera's drum? In most cases I don't need the footage for more than 5 years, I have tapes with more than 10 years and they're ok... but my old VX1000 and PD150 went to service a few times. I just don't want the same to happen with my loving HD100.

According to JVC, there is a better coating that prevents dropouts much better with the ProHD tapes. I'm the same as you. I have choosen the JVC ME60 tapes years ago after alot of research and they were the best then and they still perform even in the HD-100 in exemplary fasion. That is the only tape I've used in my camera. I never mix tapes because I always get the JVC ME60's

Hello again,
about the M-DV60ME, they are good, i have used them in technical services wiithout problem. The thing is like Stephen Noe says, ProHD have a better coating. If you people are satisfied with the M-DV60ME, keep using them. The ProHD are a little more expensive, around 7.70 € + 21% (VAT) here in Portugal, but i think it's worth paying the diference.

Regards