Longer mini dv tapes
 

I was relating a problem I had at a dance recital where I had to change tapes in the middle of the performance. A friend told me he uses Panasonic's 83 minute tapes. I didn't realize you could get over 60 minutes in SP mode. How do they make them longer, I suppose they're thinner, so I'm worried I'll get dropouts. He says he doesn't have any problems. They're 3x the price @ $6 tape but it might be worth it for those long performances without an intermission. Any one use these longer tapes?

Hi Pete,

I've used these extended length tapes for a number of yrs and had no problems with them.

If your Cam has the LP Speed available, then you can also record at the slower speed using the standard tapes, but at a greater risk of dropouts. You will want to dump the footage ASAP to your HDD. Over time, the Cam's "head wear" may dis-allow you to play them back at the LP Speed.

Harold

Since I started shooting on mini dv, I have used Panasonic 83 minute tapes for all of my live performance and wedding and Mitzvah ceremonies without ever having a problem.
Allen W