Follow up...
 

After reading through this entire thread and seeing that this question was not answered, it seems that it may not be important, but I feel I should ask again anyway. Within the thread, there are differences described between HDV's and DV's materials used, so it seems that this could potentially create some conflict within the brand. Does someone need to worry when switching between HDV and DV when using the same brand? Would cleaning the heads be a good idea when performing such a switch? Also, would it be necessary to have a cleaning tape that aligns with the brand of the tapes someone is using, since a sony tape cleaner might be better designed for cleaning a "wet" lubricant off the heads?

Forgive me, as I am just a lowly newbie looking for answers and I would appreciate any feedback on these questions.

Thanks, Justin.

You can use any make of head-cleaning tape you like. They're all pretty abraisive, so it matters not a lot which one you choose.

And you can safely swap between (say) Sony's Premium, DVCAM, HDV and Excellence tapes without going through the head-cleaning tape phase first. I know - I've been doing it for years.

tom.

Fair enough.
 

Thank you for the timely response. Now I can put my order in through B&H for all my extra goodies! I appreciate it Tom.

Justin

To all those that have posted answers - Thank you. I had a Sony HC9HDR replaced by Sony Aus as the Tech guys had no idea about drop outs. The original one worked fine with Sony and TDK tapes but things turned south with JVC tapes. When I got the replacement Camera I had not yet read the invaluable info posted here and again used Sony, TDK and JVC tapes and yes it happened again. Since reading this thread I have run a head cleaning cassette through the machine but I still have a few drop outs. As I do underwate video I only get one chance to shoot whever is there and a drop out at the wrong moment. Any other ways to avoid the drop outs?

The more I read about JVC tapes, the more I back off.

Obviously if you're making BD you'll have to shoot HDV underwater Joseph, but if you're simply down-converting to edit then have you considered shooting in SD to begin with?

Then if you can get dropouts the individual frames can have their sparklies repaired in Photoshop. You won't be doing that with half a second of lost HDV footage.

tom.

I tend to agree as I also have had problems with the cheaper JVC tapes.

Hi Tom, Appreciate your quick response. I am an amateur but love underwater videography. I had a JVC SD Camera but it has been replaced with the Sony HC9. I could not go back to SD. With the URPro filters the Video often appears better than the dive. This is only posible watching it in full HD. I Edit using Pinnacle 12 and burn files to AVCHD on DVD.

Other than cutting out the drop outs how else would the drop outs be "Fixed/Tweaked". Any other advice would be greatly appreciated - am off to PNG andBali in July so any tricks would be great.

There is no fix, no tweak. If it's not been recorded to tape, it's not been recorded - simple as that.

Use a head cleaner, then stick to one brand of tape. Maybe you should've looked at cameras that record AVCHD direct to SDHC card?

Tom - Hind sight is a wonderful thing. Had I found this thread between cameras (so to speak) I probably would have gone to SDHC. Thanks for the advice

Martin - I noticed you are a fellow Perth Person. Do you by any chance Video underwater?

Mini DV tapes vs Mini HD Tapes.
 

Ah I re-found the thread!
I read this thread awhile back and had to give it a try. I was very skeptical since I would think the technologies would be incompatible.
My wife had just bought 100 SONY MiniDV Excellence on eBay for $4.00+ each
(I wish she'd use the $2 Premiums, but she needs the IC memory chip) regardless, I gave it a try and it works perfectly! No drops, nothing, its perfect. I haven't cleaned my heads or anything. Now I use the SONY Excellence exclusively, I don't see myself going back to HDV tapes anytime soon.

I would have never tried it...I'm thankful I did!
Thanks,

Rick

Mini DV tapes vs Mini HD Tapes
 

Joseph.
Sorry for the late reply, I did not get a notification until now.
I take video of dance competitions and my own social events.
Regards,

Martin