Sony Digital Master PHDVM-63DM - worth it?
 

Is the extra price really worth it for these or just stick with the standard sony HDV tape instead.

I intend to re-use them quite a bit if that makes a difference.

Thank you!

Hey Deniz. I'd avoid reusing any tape as that's a quick way of potentially damaging your camera heads. I use Sony Premiums and haven't suffered a drop-out yet. You can pick up a pack of 10 for less than the price of a single Master tape.

If you're a pro making money off this and can afford the overhead, then Masters may be worthwhile to reduce the probability of drop-outs on critical shoots. But for a newcomer like myself, it simply isn't worth it.

I have re-used tapes from time to time if I am certain that they are very fresh tapes. But generally, I wouldn't recommend it. Is it worth it to spend the money on the PHDVM-63DM Sony tapes? If you have a client that is paying you a decent amount of money to shoot a program for him and he is paying for the tapes, YES. If you have a tape issue during the shoot, you certainly don't want to be in the position of having to explain or justify why you used cheap tapes for his important project. On the other hand, I wouldn't use them for learning practice and home videos. Most experts recommend staying with one brand of tape. I use the Panasonic Advance Master Quality tapes and I have never had a problem with them. But a colleague uses only Sony tapes and he has never had a problem either.

I've shot over 110 hours using Sony's Premium DV tape (comes in an orange box in the UK) at 2.50 a pop. Only had two dropouts, ever. One was when I was being wrestled to the ground (long story).

I'd say, if you have the budget, or if it is a no-can-repeat job (eg. Stunts, wedding videos) then for peace of mind get a couple of Sony tapes. Otherwise, no.

On reusing tapes.... I advise against that full stop. You never know when you want that bit of footage from years ago...