I purchased a used GL-2 for some family home videos.
This is to replace my old TRV-900 camera.

Any suggestions to look at any potentional problems with the GL-2?

I was using Sony brand tapes in my TRV-900 camera.

Can you recommend a brand of tape for the GL-2?

I would like something good, as I would like to store family videos. I plan on also burning to DVD.

Any other good websites with general advice I should see?

I have always used Sony Premium with my XM2. No problems so far. Many people use Fuji and Panasonic tape.

Guess the best advise would be to choose one brand and stick with it.

As for potential problems:
A month ago when my XM2 was 1year 11months, I had a tape rewind problem. This was covered by Canon's (1 year!!) warranty. Didn't have to pay anything, and got my camera back in 4 days.

Good web site: You already found it. Tons of info here.

What is the reason to stick with one brand of tape?

The reason to stick with one brand is that they use different kind of lubrication of the tape.

Some use wet and some use dry lubrication.
Seems like no one really can say for sure who uses wet and who uses dry lubrication.
But as far as I understand... the general opinion is that Sony tapes are wet.

Mixing brands may lead to dirty heads.
So if you need to switch brands... use a tape cleaner first.

This subject has been discussed a lot before. You will find lots of info by doing a search.


You might want to take a look at this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36232