Is there a specific brand of tape you XL users prefer over all others? I'd rather invest in some good tapes from the get-go.

Panasonic Master Series (use both 63 and 83)

I have used Sony tapes in the past without any problems. However I have switched to Panasonic MQs. They are suppose to have better magnetics than some other tapes.

In general stick with 63 minutes tapes because I just do not have enough experience with 83s.

Nathan Gifford

I use both the Panasonic MQ 63 and 83 Master series. Both are excellent . Recommended.

Whatever you use, stick with it and don't switch brands due to the potential for head clogs.

The Panasonic AY-DVM63MQ is my choice from now on!
Excellent tape and worth the $$! (but it's actually less expensive than all the lower quality tapes in most stores when I buy from "The Tape House" here in Burnaby, BC, Canada).
Cost is $7.99 for 63min and $14.65 for 83min (box Qty 5). That's all in Canadian dollars too.

I use Sony Premiums 63 minute length as a rule.

Haven't had any real problems or issues with this tape at all that warrant mentioning.

- don
noisybrain.com
Boston, MA

What about the new Sony Mini-DVCAM tapes that can be used in the XL1?? Has anybody used these tapes? I've heard that they are probably the most robust type of Mini DV available.

If anyone can recommend the best quality MiniDV tapes for capture/ archival storage which one would it be?

Regards,
Sandesh

I don't see a need for using DVCam tapes in a miniDV camcorder. Again, I primarily use SONY Premium 63 minute tapes, which you can buy off the web for under $6 each. I have shot in all types of conditions - from the Sudan where it was 110 degrees in the shade to the icy cold outdoors of Northern NH,,, no problems. The only two problems I can recall with these tapes are once I placed the label on the tape too close to the hinge and that caused the tape to jam in the camera (I was at fault, not the tape) and once we saw some dropouts on one tape tape where we were shooting in a very hot environment and were doing a lot of hiking and movbing around. I think this had more to do with the fact that the camera was being exposed to the sun a lot (we were using a VX1000 at the time) and it was getting bumped around a bit.

The tapes made by Panasonic are just as good - as well as the tape sold by Canon. In fact, the Canon tapes are actually made by Panasonic.

I just think that using DVCam tapes as a rule is completely overkill. The bottom line is to take care of the tapes when they are not being used. That means keep them all together in a soft padded case and make sure you keep each tape in its; own respective case that came with it. And don't forget to label the tape immediately after you use it, as soon as you pull it out of the camera! Don't "wait until later" to label them, only to end up with a bunch of unlabeled recorded tapes later in the day - this will certainly add to excessive handling and will in any case drive you nuts!

- don :o)

What about re-using tape?

I wouldn't re-use a tape more than once.

- don

I will only use the Panasonic AY-DVM63MQ for my GL2. As a student, spending near $6 per tape seems kind of pricey to me since I was use to the days of buying Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ consumer tapes for my old Optura Pi. I also do not mix my tapes, from what I heard here, I just want to be safe.

-Phong

I use SONY tapes and likewise never had any problems. I never use the same tape twice, and if I do its just cos I only used a little part of the tape and so recording over it, like testing camera functions or testing/recording edited stuff, etc. But for important events I use a fresh tape.

Sony Premium

panasonic 63 for me. best overall quality/price ratio if you ask me.

I use only the Sony Excellence tapes and for my projects I shoot Sony DVCAM 32N or 40N's.

I've never had problems with either and although they are the more expensive of the Sony DV tapes (Excellence is the top of the pro/consumer line) I am paranoid and would rather have that little extra range of quality and lower dropout range.


GREAT referal for the Premiums, Don.

The diff between the Premiums and the Excellence as I understand it is where it is cut from the big sheet of video. (shrug)

I'm still going to stick with shooting DVCAM for my film projects, at least I'm able to get them for cost through a contact.

I use Sony DVM60.
I've learned to never reuse a tape unless it's the difference between not getting a shot and getting a once in a lifetime shot.

My experience with DVCAM...

The unit I shoot for accidently bought DVCAM tapes for their portable miniDV recorder instead of miniDV tapes. They were stored away in a file cabinet for quite some time.

One very busy day, I ran out of tape. Someone gave me the DVCAM tape and explained the "bought-in-error" story. I had never seen a DVCAM tape before - it looked just like a miniDV tape - except it had what looked like small, embedded, rectangular metal contacts. I put it in my XL-1 and did some test shots and playback; seemed to work fine.

When I got home, I put the DVCAM tape into my editing deck - a JVC HR-DVS2. (I never use the XL-1 as a playback deck... er... anymore). The deck wouldn't accept the tape. Every time I pushed it in, it spit it back out again.

Bottom line... I saw no quality difference between the the DVCAM tape and the Sony DVM60. The DVCAM tape is much more expensive, and records for a shorter period of time.
I shoot in a very dynamic, unscripted environment and can't say "Just a minute, I have to load a new tape." The DVCAM tape is not compatible with my editing deck.

I've been using TDKs exclusively ($24/6 pack at CostCo)and haven't experienced any problems. Is there any information on longetivity ? Pinnacle Studio8 has a dropped frame counter,
but I've never had a Firewire video transfer "Capture" lose
frames. I've noticed some "dropouts", but that's because I'm fiddling with the camera. There's a dropped frame counter
in Studio8. As long as it's accurate, I'm totally confident with
TDK tapes. I've transfer 60-90 minutes of video/month over
the last 2.5 years.

I just picked up some Panasonic DVC Professional Super LinearPlus tapes. I couldn't find the Master Series.

How do these rate by comparison?

David

So I'm hereby going to assume that according to what I've read here and at other posts concerning tapes and head cleaning at this site, that it's really not too serious which brand you use use as long long as you use a better quality tape in the brand and pretty much stick with that brand after you start, and not to go back and forth EVER between a wet lube tape and a dry lube. Is there any preference for a head cleaning tape?
I use all panasonics so far. I live in a fairly dusty area, and recently cleaned the head for the first time. I was actually sweating this, as I've heard much say on the rec.video.desktop newsgroup in the past about getting heads on the xl1s goobered up by switching tapes. But know one seemingly had any definite authority in saying which tapes could or would produce those problems.
I used it for 5 seconds and it cleared up nicely.
Thanks for all the information here concerning the use of various tapes, and head cleaning procedures. I breathe easier now!!!
Russ Evenhouse

Im a TDK user. The price, and quality are just right for me.