Please go to our "Long Black Line" forum, which is dedicated to tape issues. There are many posts there you can read.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=64

Mike

XH A1; which tape?
 

Hello

Just purchased the XH A1, and it came with a Canon HDVM-E63PR tape....which is very nice of them....but I was wondering whether I would be ok using a more reasonably priced tape? These retail at about £14-£16 ($30)....in UK. I haven't taped anything yet....just in case I'm advised of a better deal.....or,am I being way too cautious regards using a type of tape (Canon) that I might not use again? I realise you need to stick to one brand....so would using the canon limit me to ALWAYS using Canon??

I've been using the JVC M-DV60DE with my XM2, and have about 10 left. I intend to use my XM2 as a backup cam.

Does anyone have any advise on a reasonably priced tape I can buy in bulk (50-100 units), and where to buy....
thanks in advance.

I bought the Panasonic AMQ tapes for my Canon XH-A1. I haven't use the Canon tape which came in the box, because everyone is basically saying stick with one brand of tapes and don't mix brands.

So is that the general consensus, don't even use one "off" brand? I can't justify spending + £14 per tape to myself nevermind my clients . I'm going to have to order me some mid-range tapes and stick to them then... *sigh*

Panasonic AMQ you say? Does anyone else have a suggestion?

Sony
 

I have been using the sony HDV tapes, 10$ from B & H, I have also been using sony premium tapes (about 5$), no drop outs yet....but once you go with a particular tape, stick with that brand, camcorder heads get used to the chemicals from each specific manufacture. If you always use a different brand you may destroy your heads quicker then if you just stick with one brand.

*e

Panasonic AMQ is only $8.50 at TapeworksTexas. That is hardly $30. Maybe you should call them and see if they ship overseas. Maybe buy a v1U or A1 while you are at it.

Panasonic Professional AY-DVM60XJ

6.99$

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

I've been using them too. Been working out great!

I've been using the $3 Sony Premium DVM60PRL tapes in my GL2. My A1 is arriving in three days. Just making sure, these tapes should be fine for recording HDV?

The conversation surrounding tape seems to focus on two issues; consistent quality, in terms of drop-out's, and the type of lubrication that the manufacturer employs. I was told, when I asked why I should purchase the much more expensive HD tapes, that the higher quality tapes are less susceptible to drop-out's. I was also told that there are two types of lubrication; a dry lubricant, and, I guess, a wet lubricant. I can't remember the details, but because of the conversation I made a similar decision to stick with one brand of tape. I have been using the less expensive tapes and have encountered no problems. Actually, I can't recall ever having an issue with drop-out with the less expensive tapes anyway. It would be nice to hear the lubricant issue discussed by an expert, however.

And, of course, you do not have to use special 'HD' tapes in the A1 to record HD.

I'm not even sure that there's still that issue regarding the "dry/wet" scenario. I've heard & read that isn't an issue anymore since a few years ago & Sony had "converted" to using a dry lubricant because of all the riffraff... since they were, in other words, the "black sheep" of the family & were the only tape manufacturer using the wet process. But... unless I hear it from the horses... or in this case... the sheep's mouth... I won't believe anything.

Bill

While I mainly used the Sony Premiums on the GL2, I used a good number of TDK's and a few Fujufilm tapes when I needed them that day and couldn't find anything else. I've never had any problems with the camera or dropouts. I myself am wondering if this "stick with one brand" thing is just something that was maybe a problem years ago, but now everyone keeps repeating it because it's something they were told when they got their first minidv camera.

I think the biggest issue was mixing Sony and others. Certainly in the old days Sony (wet), Panasonic (dry) and TDK (dry) were the only people who made dv tape, with others mostly rebranding Panasonic.

It's possible that Fuji and Maxell make their own miniDV tape, now.

And the tape that came with the A1 looks like a Sony tape.

So, after reading all those threds I still have no idea of what type and brand to use with my new XH A1.

I should appreciate if someone have no drops outs or any artifacts in their recordings just to stick with one brand and type of tapes.

Happy recordings.
Ignacio

Maxell stock?!?!?
 

Speaking of Maxell. I was looking around online for what would be the most cost effective HDV tape to use. $25 could easily become a little over the top for most people (like some of the Canon and Sony tapes) and although $10 is fairly reasonable, if you can get the same manufactured tape but with a different label for less, why not?

I'm not sure if anyone has been using this, but the stock is made by Maxell and is quite affordable (at under $5 a pop.) "303140 DVM63PRO" One website writes this:

With DVPRO tape for HDV and DV high output is also achieved together with a superior binder that ensures long-term reliability and excellent lubricating performance, which even after repeated use maintains a low error rate. Also, Maxells dry lubricant not only helps to prevent headwear (-4m after 500H), but also prevents head clogs and significantly extends head life.


I checked around at other sites, and B&H lists item number 303140 a little different. The site mentions nothing about HDV usage, and even calls the Maxell tape the "JVC M-DV63PRO Mini DV Video Cassette."

Any idea what this is about and whether this stock is designed with HDV video recording in mind?? Please share. Thanks!

Maxell and Fuji have been making their own tape for decades now.

From 1996 onward I used both Sony and Panasonic tapes interchangeably in my VX-1000 with absolutely no problems. So far my Sony HVR-A1U has been happy with both brands of tape, too.

Best wishes,
Peter
http://www.parkfilms.com

Panasonic Master Quality
 

I just ordered 10 (quantity discount) Panasonic AY-DVM63MQ Master Quality Mini DV tapes off of B&H. At 4.39 a piece, very reasonable for "Master Quality."

Wish me luck, and I'll keep you all posted on how the tapes work out after I shoot with a few of them.

switching tape brand
 

I've been using the Canon tape, supplied with the A1, all through my testing; I'd like to switch to Sony tapes in the future as I've had quite a good experience with them, and they're easier to buy. Should I take any special measures before, such as running a cleaning tape (which - Canon's or Sony one)?

You shouldn't need to, after shooting just that 1 tape. I use the Sony tapes too, generally they are very good, but not perfect.

From my experience, the Sony tapes have definitely the highest performance/price ratio, at least with their price in Poland. On the other hand, I've never even seen Canon miniDV tapes being offered, so to me the choice is obvious.

Even if you're right that using a cleaning casette is not necessary after just one Canon tape, what do you thik I should buy for future use (provided I'll be using Sony tapes exclusively): the Canon, or Sony cleaning tape?

I've always used the Sony cleaners in all my previous cams (Sony, JVC, Canon) and I plan to use them in the A1. I used to use the Sony Excellence tapes on my VX2100 and XL1s, and I started getting a few dropouts every 3 or 4 tapes, so now with the new A1 I'm trying the Panasonic Advanced Master Quality which are about $1 cheaper than the Sonys and from what I've heard on DVI people are having pretty good luck with them.

As a side note: I think the Canon tape is a re-labeled Sony tape. The Sony tapes that I use have a small grid pattern on the case. The other brands that I have used and seen have a different case design, pattern, or window placement. The Canon tape that came with my A1 has the same case as a Sony.

Can anybody confirm this is actually true? Would be nice to know I'm actually NOT changing brands (same lubricants etc).

I read in another thread that Sony sells wet tapes, JVC, Panasonic, TDK sell dry tapes. In the A1 manual, it's said that a DRY cleaning tape must be used - does it mean that also the Canon recording tapes are of the dry type? If so, this would contradict the claim that the Canon miniDV is actually a Sony-made tape, or can be freely mixed with Sony tapes..

Where is the truth? Is the Sony cleaning tape also dry?

The Canon HDV tape is in a case very similar to the Sony HDV tapes. It's got to be either Sony or Fuji. Panasonic doesn't seem to make those kinds of cases. Even so, I'd run the cleaning tape before switching.

I've used Sony DVCAM tapes in DVCAM cameras for about 7 years with no trouble at all. However, I switched to the Panasonic AMQ (Advanced Master Quality) for the XH A1. I know lots of people using that tape with no problems, and the guy at Zotz said that's what most of his XL H1 customers have been using. Significantly cheaper than the Sony HDV tapes, but you don't get the DVCAM type case.

Sony DigitalMaster Tapes and A1
 

Sony's site lists the new digitalmaster hdv tapes (PHDV-276DM) supported recording formats as 1080i and 720p. My question is this, do you guys think there could be a problem using these with 24f mode on the canon A1? I know canon's 24f is created by some sort of 1080i signal, but isn't the the final compressed product true progressive data? So wouldn't that be 1080p data? Has anybody tried these w/ their A1?

I would get the Sony, because that is my personal bias in tape stock. However, I am sure the Canon cleaner is as good as the Sony. I hve used both with good results. They will both do the job.

You may use a MiniDV tape or an HDV tape in the Canon XH A1 or XH G1 or XL H1.

All modes of the camera, including 24f, are supported by any tape that is proper for the camera.

Specifically, yes, these tapes will work in your camera for all camera modes.

Dry Lube Tapes
 

The only tape that I absolutely know for sure that uses a "dry" lubricant is the Panasonic AY-DVM63MQ (Master Quality). 4 years ago I paid $7 each from a tape supply company, now I can buy these for $4 each from Amazon. I buy them 50 at a time, but the price is the same for 5. I get them within 3 days of ordering so it doesn't take a lot of planning ahead.
It is the ONLY tape I have ever used in my DVX100.
The film school I attended used consumer quality Sony tapes and I had several drop out and digital noise problems in the first 30 seconds of these tapes on their cameras.
Why would I pay $4 each for an inferior tape just because I can pick them up at Wal-Mart when by planning ahead I can get the best tape on the planet for the same price? Just My opinion.
P.S. Another reason for my buying 50 at a time is that I supply 3 or 4 of my friends that don't seem to plan ahead. :-)

The AMQ (Advance Master Quality) tapes are now around $8.00 (USD) at most places. That's what I've been using.

Regardless which tape I use, since the mid to late 80's, I have always run roughly 1 min. of bars on every tape to get passed the portion that's affected by the take up reel/leader that can create imperfections on the surface of the tape.

I'm not saying it's fool proof & that you can use consumer grade tape using this method. It's just if there was any spot on any tape that can be more prone to dropouts, etc., it's near the head & tail.

Bill

cleaning tape recommendation?
 

Any suggestions on a good cleaning tape to use?

When I sent my old XM1 to Canon service for repairs, they sent it back with a head cleaning tape. The piece of card in the plastic box said "Canon" but the tape itself was identical to a Panasonic cleaning tape that I'd bought 6 months before.

I also use Sony MiniDV Head Cleaner cassette. I used the same with my previous cams and the results were very good. No need to buy more expensive types imo.

As far as media is concerned, I'm still running on Sony MiniDV 63min. tapes and I will in the future. They work perfectly with XH A1. No dropouts so far and very few with previous cams. I think those rare problems were in most cases caused by dust particles, not by tape imperfections. I don't think there is any significant difference in manufacturing process of MiniDV and HDV tapes. Their density does not have to be higher for HDV because it still works with similar bitrate (around 25mbps).

I'm using Panasonic AMQ tapes for the Canon A1.

What tape brand for A1
 

Hey crew - just bought a new A1 to get into small-scale film production with a partner... she's from a photography background, I'm from a music/writing background, so this is a bit of a direction change for both of us, and it's going to be an interesting experience.

Key question - I've read that it's a good idea to stick to one tape brand because the heads get "used" to the chemical make-up or some other atttribute of one brand of tape. Is that valid thinking, or fantasy?

If so, what brand are people recommending - I don't have the choice here that some of you guys have, but certainly Sony and Cannon are no problem.
thanks, Ian

Do some searching of just the A1 forum. There have been lots of helpful posts to the tape stock for the A1. I had the same question, and those threads helped me out greatly......
Just to get you started.....

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...ight=Panasonic
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...ight=Panasonic
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...ight=Panasonic
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...ight=Panasonic

I personally use Sony Excellence, due to many years of good experience using Sony. But many use and like the Panansonic tapes too.

Video performance and reliability will be roughly equal, so consider going with which one you have the best access to. That may be important some day when you need to buy two more tapes on a Sunday....sometimes those situations come up.

I don't know how (and where) you succeeded in sourcing tapes other than the Sony Digital HD Video Tapes (the ones with the maroon colouring --- DVM63). It's virtually impossible to get anything else here in Johannesburg. No-one around seems to have ever heard of the Panasonic tapes other people are raving about here. So I'm basically stuck with these, just to make my life a bit easier in respect of supply!
If you discover a reliable source for Canon or even the Panasonic tapes, please let me know.

Switching from AY-DVM63PQ to AY-DVM63AMQ
 

I've used a batch of AY-DVM63PQ tapes (about a dozen in all) in a brand new Canon XH-A1 and now wish to switch to AY-DVM63AMQ tapes after reading rave reviews about their performance.

Would it be prudent to run a Panasonic tape head cleaner through my new A1?

Would it be sufficient to run a AY-DVM63AMQ through the A1 prior to filming in HDV mode?

Please note I didn't use the free 'Canon' HDV tape supplied with the camera. The camera has only ever recorded to about a dozen AY-DVM63AMQ tapes.

I'd be interested to hear any thoughts, concerns or issues you may have with me switching from AY-DVM63PQ to AY-DVM63AMQ tapes.

TIA
Neil