DV Tape for XL1 or XL1S

Ken Tanaka · December 3rd, 2002, 03:21 PM

This is basically true. Use the Search facility here and you'll find miles of lengthy threads on this topic.

Frank Granovski · December 3rd, 2002, 04:41 PM

Go here and also read its links:

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

Andrew Petrie · December 4th, 2002, 06:20 PM

I started with 6 Sony tapes, I then purchased 20 Panasonic MQ63 tapes (highly recommended by many DVi users)and don't plan on changing ever again.

Bob Zimmerman · December 5th, 2002, 03:32 AM

I stay with Sony,,,

Kevin Burnfield · December 16th, 2002, 11:18 AM

I've just picked up my new XL1S and the fellow threw in two boxes of Sony DV Excellence (DVM60EX2) tapes with it.

on the box it says "Ideal for LP" and I have no intention of ever shooting anything in LP speed.

What's the best tape out there in your opinon?

Thanks in advance!

Paul Sedillo · December 16th, 2002, 11:55 AM

You are going to find a very wide array of answers on this topic. I personally use Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ. The decision was based on STRONG positive comments from here. I do not know much about the Sony tapes you were given.

Nathan Gifford · December 16th, 2002, 12:11 PM

I use the same tape above. I have used Sony w/o problems too.

The important thing is to stick to one brand. Switching brands can cause tracking problems unless you run a pass of the head cleaning tape.

Dylan Couper · December 16th, 2002, 12:38 PM

I used Fuji

Josh Bass · December 16th, 2002, 12:43 PM

I use Panasonic, because Paul Sedillo paid me for a gig, and his company only uses Panasonics, and I paid to have my camera cleaned, and I don't want to that again. Also, those blue and white tapes are just so pretty!

December 16th, 2002, 12:44 PM

I use Sony DVCAM minitapes as I master to DVCAM and like to stick with one type of type throughout production.

I have NEVER had a drop out, the mechanism is more robust, the quality control higher and the cases are more robust too.

Regards.

Simon Plissi · December 16th, 2002, 04:02 PM

Panasonic here too. And whilst it's best to stick to one brand don't be to worried if you have to use another every now and then. What is worst I belive is to keep switching between brands all the time. Over the years I've used mainly Panasonic with a few Sony tapes here and there, and even a low grade TDK, don't ask.

Josh Bass · December 16th, 2002, 04:32 PM

Can you use DVCAM with a Canon XL1s? I thought you couldn't.

Dylan Couper · December 16th, 2002, 08:09 PM

Yeah, you can use DVCAM tapes. It still records in miniDV format though.

Don Palomaki · December 16th, 2002, 08:12 PM

DVCAM tape is the same physical size and cassette as MiniDV. The main differences are quality control, and in some cases slight differences in formulation. You can use DVCAM tape if you want to pay the extra price. Soem folks shoot DVCAM mode on standard MiniDV tape. Tape wise, 40 min DVCAM = 60 min MiniDV.

The worst probably scenario is to use one brand of tape for a long period and then switch. The different tape may cause the characteristic deposits left by one brand to shift or break free causing a head clog.

I use Panasonic DVM60EJ for the most part in my camcorders. Works for me and the price is right.

Paul Sedillo · December 16th, 2002, 08:13 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Josh Bass : I use Panasonic, because Paul Sedillo paid me for a gig, and his company only uses Panasonics, and I paid to have my camera cleaned, and I don't want to that again. Also, those blue and white tapes are just so pretty! -->>>

And look at you now Mr. Bass, a venerable babe magnet! All thanks to a simple tape switch.

December 3rd, 2002, 03:21 PM	#31
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	This is basically true. Use the Search facility here and you'll find miles of lengthy threads on this topic. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 4th, 2002, 06:20 PM	#33
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	I started with 6 Sony tapes, I then purchased 20 Panasonic MQ63 tapes (highly recommended by many DVi users)and don't plan on changing ever again. __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

December 16th, 2002, 11:18 AM	#35
Kevin Burnfield Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 363	POLL: What tape do you use? or What's the best tape? I've just picked up my new XL1S and the fellow threw in two boxes of Sony DV Excellence (DVM60EX2) tapes with it. on the box it says "Ideal for LP" and I have no intention of ever shooting anything in LP speed. What's the best tape out there in your opinon? Thanks in advance!

December 16th, 2002, 11:55 AM	#36
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	You are going to find a very wide array of answers on this topic. I personally use Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ. The decision was based on STRONG positive comments from here. I do not know much about the Sony tapes you were given. __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

December 16th, 2002, 12:11 PM	#37
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	I use the same tape above. I have used Sony w/o problems too. The important thing is to stick to one brand. Switching brands can cause tracking problems unless you run a pass of the head cleaning tape. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

December 3rd, 2002, 04:41 PM	#32
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Go here and also read its links: http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

December 5th, 2002, 03:32 AM	#34
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	I stay with Sony,,,

December 16th, 2002, 12:38 PM	#38
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I used Fuji

December 16th, 2002, 12:43 PM	#39
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I use Panasonic, because Paul Sedillo paid me for a gig, and his company only uses Panasonics, and I paid to have my camera cleaned, and I don't want to that again. Also, those blue and white tapes are just so pretty! __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

December 16th, 2002, 12:44 PM	#40
CUT Productions Posts: n/a	I use Sony DVCAM minitapes as I master to DVCAM and like to stick with one type of type throughout production. I have NEVER had a drop out, the mechanism is more robust, the quality control higher and the cases are more robust too. Regards.

December 16th, 2002, 04:02 PM	#41
Simon Plissi Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 105	Panasonic here too. And whilst it's best to stick to one brand don't be to worried if you have to use another every now and then. What is worst I belive is to keep switching between brands all the time. Over the years I've used mainly Panasonic with a few Sony tapes here and there, and even a low grade TDK, don't ask.

December 16th, 2002, 04:32 PM	#42
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Can you use DVCAM with a Canon XL1s? I thought you couldn't. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

December 16th, 2002, 08:09 PM	#43
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Yeah, you can use DVCAM tapes. It still records in miniDV format though.

December 16th, 2002, 08:12 PM	#44
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	DVCAM tape is the same physical size and cassette as MiniDV. The main differences are quality control, and in some cases slight differences in formulation. You can use DVCAM tape if you want to pay the extra price. Soem folks shoot DVCAM mode on standard MiniDV tape. Tape wise, 40 min DVCAM = 60 min MiniDV. The worst probably scenario is to use one brand of tape for a long period and then switch. The different tape may cause the characteristic deposits left by one brand to shift or break free causing a head clog. I use Panasonic DVM60EJ for the most part in my camcorders. Works for me and the price is right.

December 16th, 2002, 08:13 PM	#45
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	<<<-- Originally posted by Josh Bass : I use Panasonic, because Paul Sedillo paid me for a gig, and his company only uses Panasonics, and I paid to have my camera cleaned, and I don't want to that again. Also, those blue and white tapes are just so pretty! -->>> And look at you now Mr. Bass, a venerable babe magnet! All thanks to a simple tape switch. __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas