VHS Tape Stock
 

Hey guys.
I'm about to make a lot of copies from miniDV to VHS. I have a deck that will do this. My questions are...

1. Which brand of tape is the best to buy? I've heard Fuji's make the best, is there a particular model number I should look for?

2. My film is only 6 minutes long. Most tapes I've seen are 2 hours or more. Seems like a major waste of tape. I've heard that they do make 10 min VHS tapes, but that the quality is garbage. Is that true?

3. I see that there are VHS tapes, and S-VHS tapes. I'm assuming the S-VHS tapes are better quality, but does that mean that whoever is watching it must have an SVHS VCR? Just want to make sure before I make a bunch of copies and people start telling me the tapes won't work.


thanks guys!

Hi Brad.

I use TDK tapes but as far I know, you should be ok with any major brand (Fuji, Sony, etc).

I don't have experience with 10min tapes.

Normaly the S-VHS are better quality. You can use them in VHS recorders ( to record and play). You must be careful if you record them in a S-VHS capable player. If you want the tapes to play in VHS VCRs, be shure to set your recorder to VHS mode.

Best regards
Arnaldo

check out taperesource.com for different length vhs tapes. i get all my media from them.

thanks for the advice guys! I'll look into it.

I just used a bunch of Fuji T-10s (10 minute tapes) to send some of my films to film festivals. The quality was fine, equivalent if not better to the generic 2-hour tapes. Just make sure to avoid the first 15 seconds like any other tape and you'll be fine!