Safe to mix Fuji tapes with Panasonic? at DVinfo.net

Robert Knecht Schmidt · September 28th, 2003, 02:44 PM

I think the answer is yes, but I just want to reconfirm:

I've always used Panasonic MiniDV tapes in my gear, but I've come into some Fujifilm "DVCassete" tapes. If I recall correctly, Fuji is the manufacturer for the Panasonic tape anyway (or is it vice versa?), and so mixing Fuji with Panasonic won't gunk up the heads of my camera/deck.

Is that right?

Frank Granovski · September 28th, 2003, 03:32 PM

Why would you presume that just because Fuji may manufacture tape for Panasonic, these tapes are the same?

Sean R Allen · September 28th, 2003, 03:51 PM

Which Panasonic tape? It all depends is the answer, and there seems to be a lot of confusion over which ones are the same, dry/wet, etc. That's why I don't mess around, I use only the same brand and type, because that seems to be the only way to be 100% sure.

Even mixing tape types among the same manufacturer can cause problems, for example Panasonic MQs and PQs.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · September 28th, 2003, 04:38 PM

The Panasonics I've always used are AY-DVM60EJ ME tapes.

The new Fujis are DVM60A ME tapes.

Frank Granovski · September 28th, 2003, 07:09 PM

Robert. I don't know if mixing these will cause gumming/drop-outs. I never mix brands and types because I have seen problems first hand with doing this when I shot for people who have hired me with their cams and tapes. Also, most of the pros I know mostly use Fuji, but some use Pana, some use Sony. The ones that use Fuji say they've had the least amount of drop-outs with this tape. Another thing I've noticed over the years from cam boards is that people are always asking for help with describing a certain problem. Problem: gummed heads (they usually don't know this and just describe what they see---blocky footage etc); and when I ask what tape they are using, most of the time they reply with that they mixing tapes (with a list, of course). Sometimes people get gumming by just using a "cheap brand" of tape, like I did with JVC miniDV a number of years ago.

September 28th, 2003, 02:44 PM	#1
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Safe to mix Fuji tapes with Panasonic? I think the answer is yes, but I just want to reconfirm: I've always used Panasonic MiniDV tapes in my gear, but I've come into some Fujifilm "DVCassete" tapes. If I recall correctly, Fuji is the manufacturer for the Panasonic tape anyway (or is it vice versa?), and so mixing Fuji with Panasonic won't gunk up the heads of my camera/deck. Is that right? __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 28th, 2003, 04:38 PM	#4
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	The Panasonics I've always used are AY-DVM60EJ ME tapes. The new Fujis are DVM60A ME tapes. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

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September 28th, 2003, 03:32 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Why would you presume that just because Fuji may manufacture tape for Panasonic, these tapes are the same?

September 28th, 2003, 03:51 PM	#3
Sean R Allen Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: RTP, NC Posts: 66	Which Panasonic tape? It all depends is the answer, and there seems to be a lot of confusion over which ones are the same, dry/wet, etc. That's why I don't mess around, I use only the same brand and type, because that seems to be the only way to be 100% sure. Even mixing tape types among the same manufacturer can cause problems, for example Panasonic MQs and PQs.

September 28th, 2003, 07:09 PM	#5
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Robert. I don't know if mixing these will cause gumming/drop-outs. I never mix brands and types because I have seen problems first hand with doing this when I shot for people who have hired me with their cams and tapes. Also, most of the pros I know mostly use Fuji, but some use Pana, some use Sony. The ones that use Fuji say they've had the least amount of drop-outs with this tape. Another thing I've noticed over the years from cam boards is that people are always asking for help with describing a certain problem. Problem: gummed heads (they usually don't know this and just describe what they see---blocky footage etc); and when I ask what tape they are using, most of the time they reply with that they mixing tapes (with a list, of course). Sometimes people get gumming by just using a "cheap brand" of tape, like I did with JVC miniDV a number of years ago.