Mini DV Tape / Lubricants at DVinfo.net

Matthew Cody McClintock · May 2nd, 2007, 04:29 PM

I just purchased a Cannon XL 2.
I was advised that some tapes use a lubricant. I was told this can cause a problem to the heads.
Question: What is the best tape to use in the system?

Appreciate the responses.
Matt

Bill Davis · May 2nd, 2007, 04:35 PM

Once upon a time (like in the late 90's with Hi-8) this was a brief but real concern.

Today, it's ignorable.

If you want to be obsessive about it. Pick a particular tape stock and stick to it for ALL your work from now on. It makes NO DIFFERENCE what stock that is.

The "once upon a time" historical problems were only generated by swaping between so called "dry" and "wet" lubricated tape stock. (horribly inaccurate discriptions, BTW, but nothing better ever arose)

Again, today, it's largely ignorable and you'll likely never have a problem.

So forget about it and get back to work.

Glenn Chan · May 2nd, 2007, 06:19 PM

I don't think it's dry versus wet; right now, there are both 'dry' and 'wet' formulations on the market (Panasonic is supposedly dry, while other manufacturers use wet lubricant).

It's Sony and Maxell which had lubricants that would cause a reaction with other manufacturer's, so they changed their formulation.
http://www.philpang.com/tips/minidv_lubricants.html

(A moderator should be moving this thread to the tape forum soon...)

Andy Lunn · May 9th, 2007, 06:53 AM

So i have decided to use Panasonic for my new xlh1 but there are loads of different panasonic ones, does it matter if you swith between the different tapes, i dont understand the difference. such as

Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ
and
Panasonic AY-DVM60FE10

Whats the difference? they cost the same.

Mike Andrade · May 9th, 2007, 07:29 PM

Ive used the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ for the past 4 years in everything from a Canon Elura, GL2 and XL2 and never had any problems with dropouts or general playback. Its been a dependable, durable tape stock for every purpose so far. I was going to switch over to Sony when I got my XL2 but the guys at B&H recommended I stick with the Panasonic. As for the difference between the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ and the Panasonic AY-DVM60FE10 I'm not sure. I know the AY-DVM63PQ is considered pro quality.

May 2nd, 2007, 04:29 PM	#1
Matthew Cody McClintock New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Belgrade, Montana Posts: 7	Mini DV Tape / Lubricants I just purchased a Cannon XL 2. I was advised that some tapes use a lubricant. I was told this can cause a problem to the heads. Question: What is the best tape to use in the system? Appreciate the responses. Matt

May 9th, 2007, 07:29 PM	#5
Mike Andrade Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 136	Ive used the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ for the past 4 years in everything from a Canon Elura, GL2 and XL2 and never had any problems with dropouts or general playback. Its been a dependable, durable tape stock for every purpose so far. I was going to switch over to Sony when I got my XL2 but the guys at B&H recommended I stick with the Panasonic. As for the difference between the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ and the Panasonic AY-DVM60FE10 I'm not sure. I know the AY-DVM63PQ is considered pro quality. __________________ Mike A

May 2nd, 2007, 04:35 PM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Once upon a time (like in the late 90's with Hi-8) this was a brief but real concern. Today, it's ignorable. If you want to be obsessive about it. Pick a particular tape stock and stick to it for ALL your work from now on. It makes NO DIFFERENCE what stock that is. The "once upon a time" historical problems were only generated by swaping between so called "dry" and "wet" lubricated tape stock. (horribly inaccurate discriptions, BTW, but nothing better ever arose) Again, today, it's largely ignorable and you'll likely never have a problem. So forget about it and get back to work.

May 2nd, 2007, 06:19 PM	#3
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	I don't think it's dry versus wet; right now, there are both 'dry' and 'wet' formulations on the market (Panasonic is supposedly dry, while other manufacturers use wet lubricant). It's Sony and Maxell which had lubricants that would cause a reaction with other manufacturer's, so they changed their formulation. http://www.philpang.com/tips/minidv_lubricants.html (A moderator should be moving this thread to the tape forum soon...)

May 9th, 2007, 06:53 AM	#4
Andy Lunn Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leeds UK Posts: 94	So i have decided to use Panasonic for my new xlh1 but there are loads of different panasonic ones, does it matter if you swith between the different tapes, i dont understand the difference. such as Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ and Panasonic AY-DVM60FE10 Whats the difference? they cost the same.