What tapes for HC1? at DVinfo.net

Carl White · January 1st, 2006, 11:28 PM

I've taken my giant leap and just ordered the Sony HC1 camcorder. Now for the "incidentals". I thought I read somewhere in this forum about recommended mini-dv tapes to use for HD recording but now can't find it. So, I know Sony makes a Mini-DV HD tape; are there other brands out there? Is one better than the other or do I really need to buy the HD tapes? Since I have laid out the money for an HD camcorder I want the best possible picture so I'm not quibbling about the cost of tapes - just want an idea of what to get.

Thanks
Carl White

Fredrik-Larsson · January 2nd, 2006, 01:56 AM

This is a very tough topic and has been discussed on several forums without any real good answer. My personal strategy is to make sure to only use one brand and model of tape. I am using a Fuji-tape that costs about 4 USD in my local shop. I also only record once and don't use a tape over and over.

Alexander Karol · January 2nd, 2006, 03:16 AM

To be honest, it really doesn't matter. I still believe that the SONY 63MIN "HDV" tapes are a gimmick and wayyy overpriced and will NEVER buy one. I have been using the SONY Premium tapes and the Maxwell TDK tapes from Costco with my A1 and haven't had one dropout yet. And I've been taping under extreme heat (Florida) and cold (Boston) for the entire semester. Just go for whatever is cheapest; any MiniDV will do. I find the Maxwell TDK's from Costco to be the cheapest; forgot how much I paid though.

Dave Perry · January 2nd, 2006, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Karol

To be honest, it really doesn't matter. I still believe that the SONY 63MIN "HDV" tapes are a gimmick and wayyy overpriced and will NEVER buy one.

I agree. Just choose a good brand name and stick with it. I use Maxell DVM60SE. 8 for $24 at Sam's Club.

Carl White · January 2nd, 2006, 09:17 AM

In my "Digital8" days I used Maxell (a media brand i've used since old reel-to-reel days and have always been happy with them. So, I think that pretty much answers my question.

Thanks
Carl White

Graham Hickling · January 2nd, 2006, 05:31 PM

> "I want the best possible picture"

Just to clarify, as far as I am aware the issue comes down to potential dropouts during record and/or (repeated?) playback. There is no "picture quality" issue equivalent to the way in which higher-quality audio tape has better frequency response. It's all 1s and 0s - so provided each frame actually plays the tape brand will have further no effect on picture quality.

Carl White · January 3rd, 2006, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the reminder - I thought I'd read that the "concern" was for dropouts not for fidelity. I rarely experienced them on my Maxell Digital8 tapes so am sticking with Maxell for my MiniDV.

Carl White

January 1st, 2006, 11:28 PM	#1
Carl White Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 27	What tapes for HC1? I've taken my giant leap and just ordered the Sony HC1 camcorder. Now for the "incidentals". I thought I read somewhere in this forum about recommended mini-dv tapes to use for HD recording but now can't find it. So, I know Sony makes a Mini-DV HD tape; are there other brands out there? Is one better than the other or do I really need to buy the HD tapes? Since I have laid out the money for an HD camcorder I want the best possible picture so I'm not quibbling about the cost of tapes - just want an idea of what to get. Thanks Carl White

January 2nd, 2006, 01:56 AM	#2
Fredrik-Larsson Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Malmö, Sweden Posts: 395	This is a very tough topic and has been discussed on several forums without any real good answer. My personal strategy is to make sure to only use one brand and model of tape. I am using a Fuji-tape that costs about 4 USD in my local shop. I also only record once and don't use a tape over and over. __________________ The Russian Captain (upcoming feature) http://trc-movie.blogspot.com/ My movies http://www.larssonfilm.com/

January 2nd, 2006, 03:16 AM	#3
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	To be honest, it really doesn't matter. I still believe that the SONY 63MIN "HDV" tapes are a gimmick and wayyy overpriced and will NEVER buy one. I have been using the SONY Premium tapes and the Maxwell TDK tapes from Costco with my A1 and haven't had one dropout yet. And I've been taping under extreme heat (Florida) and cold (Boston) for the entire semester. Just go for whatever is cheapest; any MiniDV will do. I find the Maxwell TDK's from Costco to be the cheapest; forgot how much I paid though.

January 2nd, 2006, 09:17 AM	#5
Carl White Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 27	In my "Digital8" days I used Maxell (a media brand i've used since old reel-to-reel days and have always been happy with them. So, I think that pretty much answers my question. Thanks Carl White

January 2nd, 2006, 05:31 PM	#6
Graham Hickling Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 1,669	> "I want the best possible picture" Just to clarify, as far as I am aware the issue comes down to potential dropouts during record and/or (repeated?) playback. There is no "picture quality" issue equivalent to the way in which higher-quality audio tape has better frequency response. It's all 1s and 0s - so provided each frame actually plays the tape brand will have further no effect on picture quality.

January 3rd, 2006, 12:52 PM	#7
Carl White Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 27	Thanks for the reminder - I thought I'd read that the "concern" was for dropouts not for fidelity. I rarely experienced them on my Maxell Digital8 tapes so am sticking with Maxell for my MiniDV. Carl White