I am getting up the courage to buy a 80 minute tape because I hope that the event that I will be covering may finish in 80 minutes and I won't have to change tapes (60's) before the event is over. Is there anything inherently wrong with a 80 minute tape, about depth of the coatings on it, that would cause the heads to clog during the taping? Do you notice that not all the brands seem to offer the 80 minute length?

I could be wrong, but I think Panasonic is the only manufacturer to produce the 80minutes tape.

I bought 2 80min tapes for the first time yesterday to shoot a play and it turned out fine. I just think they have manuevered the components inside the cassette around enough to fine some more tape inside. Although, I really know nothing about that composition of the lubricants and such as compared to a 60 minute tape.

Most of the Major tape companys have 80 or 83 min tapes. I use Fuji all the time for shooting plays and have not had problems. Two cautions...

1 - Pack the tape before using. (fast forward and rewind)

2 - In editing, don't jog around much - this is usually a thinner tape and is more delecate. Capture to your NLE in large chunks then shelve the tapes.

2a - Don't re-use the tapes. This is the one area where I have had problems.

I've used the Panny 83 minute PQs for a few years and haven't had any problems at all with them. I agree with the previous post although I don't pack the tapes. I do not re-use them (I don't re-use any tapes) and capture the tape as a complete tape and you should be fine.

Don