Tape Question at DVinfo.net

Alex Geschke · May 31st, 2003, 01:12 PM

I have concluded my tape research and have chosen to stick with Fuji Tapes.

My GL2 is brand new (only a couple of hours worth of shooting) and Fuji was the first tape used in the camera. However, being somewhat new to this level of camera equipment, I did not realize until recently that you are not supposed to mix tapes.

Bottom line: I have used Fuji and TDK tapes in the camera. Because the camera has had such little usage I am wondering if these circumstances warrant a head cleaning. I have not had any problems with mosaics or stripes and I don't want to clean them unless it is highly advised to do so. My hunch is that I won't have to clean as long as I stick with Fuji going forward.

Thanks,
Alex

Alex Knappenberger · May 31st, 2003, 01:15 PM

I use Fuji tapes also, they are great.

Apparently, from what I read, it's just a matter of mixing "dry" and "wet" lubricants, that some tapes use. As far as I know, the only 2 tapes that use "wet" lubricant, are Sony's, and one kind of the Panasonics. Also, JVC tape, is identical to Fuji tape, and to add to that, most other tape (One kind of Panasonic, TDK, Maxell) appear to be manufactured by Fuji also...

Your camera will be fine...just stick with the Fuji's...

Tustin Larson · May 31st, 2003, 01:17 PM

Alex,
I think you may be OK without cleaning, but if you notice any stripes or mosaics... then pop in the DRY head cleaner. Play it for about 10 seconds... thats all.

Thanx,

Alex Geschke · May 31st, 2003, 01:23 PM

Thanks to both of you, that's what I was hoping to hear.

Neal J So · June 14th, 2003, 01:51 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Alex

Apparently, from what I read, it's just a matter of mixing "dry" and "wet" lubricants, that some tapes use. As far as I know, the only 2 tapes that use "wet" lubricant, are Sony's, and one kind of the Panasonics. -->>>

Hi all,

I have come late to the discussion. Can anyone tell me which one kind of Panasonic tape uses the "wet" lubricant? I am currently using Panasonic tapes but would like to switch to TDK.

-neal

Frank Granovski · June 14th, 2003, 02:33 AM

Why TDK? Because they are inexpensive?

Neal J So · June 14th, 2003, 03:57 AM

Yes. I read somewhere that TDK made decent tapes, no? If these tapes aren't very good, please let me know.

In case I don't switch to TDK, but stick to Panasonic tapes, which Panasonic tapes are the wet ones, and which are the dry ones? Before I found this discussion, I picked up a new pack of Panasonic tapes, but they aren't the same as the ones I had been using. I am wondering if I should return them and try to find my original tapes.

-neal

Don Palomaki · June 14th, 2003, 04:41 AM

Wet lub is the standard for consumer MiniDV. A number of years ago ther was an issue between Sony and other brand "wet' lubs, this was resolved in about 1998 or so .

The high end Panasonic tape (marked S-AME technology) is the so called dry lub tape, rumored to have been developd to ensure compatability with their DVCPro format tape in Panasonic VCRs.

Frank Granovski · June 14th, 2003, 01:56 PM

Neal, I have some good tape links here. As I find more, I add them to this list.

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

Neal J So · June 14th, 2003, 03:21 PM

Thank you everyone for the information. It is very helpful.

I think I will stick to the Panasonic tapes, especially since I have a Panasonic cam.

My next question: I have used 6 tapes from Panasonic that come in packaging marked "DVCassette, LinearPlus, DVM60, ME".

I found a website that sells these tapes, and they are AY-DVM60
http://www.supermediastore.com/panasonicminidvtape.html

When I went back to the electronics store to pick up more tapes, I could not find the tapes with the same packaging, but found Panosonic tapes in packaging "DVC, DVM60, ME, AY-DVM60EJ3P "

Are these the same tapes? If they are not, would it be safe to use the new tapes? Does anyone know if the lubricants are the same?

I would understand if you guys get frustrated with my questions, but I am a true newcomer to video and MiniDV. Any help you can send my way would be much appreciated.

-neal

Jeff Price · June 14th, 2003, 03:23 PM

A search will turn up some recent threads on tapes. According to two different Panasonic reps ALL Panasonic Master tapes use the same lube. I think it was Ken who also pointed out that Panasonic and Fuji tapes are made by the same manufacturer (??).

The best advice I've seen on the subject is still to pick one brand and stick with it.

Neal J So · June 14th, 2003, 03:33 PM

I think I am comfortable using the new tapes. They might even be the same tapes in new packaging.

-neal

Frank Granovski · June 14th, 2003, 04:51 PM

Some Panas are wet, some are dry. Some of Pana's tape are made by Fuji. Fuji is a company that makes high quality media storage. Check out what they make on their website. Fuji = quality. :)

Neal J So · June 15th, 2003, 12:38 AM

Ok, now I have conflicting info. One says all Panasonic tapes use the same lubrication. One says some use wet, some use dry.

Does anyone happen to use the Panasonic AY-DVM60 tapes?

Frank Granovski · June 15th, 2003, 01:04 AM

If it doesn't say on one the links on that page I provided, or on the tape package, I'd contact Pana Tech for your answer. That's what I do: go for the horse's mouth.

May 31st, 2003, 01:12 PM	#1
Alex Geschke Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 37	Tape Question I have concluded my tape research and have chosen to stick with Fuji Tapes. My GL2 is brand new (only a couple of hours worth of shooting) and Fuji was the first tape used in the camera. However, being somewhat new to this level of camera equipment, I did not realize until recently that you are not supposed to mix tapes. Bottom line: I have used Fuji and TDK tapes in the camera. Because the camera has had such little usage I am wondering if these circumstances warrant a head cleaning. I have not had any problems with mosaics or stripes and I don't want to clean them unless it is highly advised to do so. My hunch is that I won't have to clean as long as I stick with Fuji going forward. Thanks, Alex

June 14th, 2003, 04:41 AM	#8
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Wet lub is the standard for consumer MiniDV. A number of years ago ther was an issue between Sony and other brand "wet' lubs, this was resolved in about 1998 or so . The high end Panasonic tape (marked S-AME technology) is the so called dry lub tape, rumored to have been developd to ensure compatability with their DVCPro format tape in Panasonic VCRs. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

June 14th, 2003, 03:21 PM	#10
Neal J So New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 16	Thanks All Thank you everyone for the information. It is very helpful. I think I will stick to the Panasonic tapes, especially since I have a Panasonic cam. My next question: I have used 6 tapes from Panasonic that come in packaging marked "DVCassette, LinearPlus, DVM60, ME". I found a website that sells these tapes, and they are AY-DVM60 http://www.supermediastore.com/panasonicminidvtape.html When I went back to the electronics store to pick up more tapes, I could not find the tapes with the same packaging, but found Panosonic tapes in packaging "DVC, DVM60, ME, AY-DVM60EJ3P " Are these the same tapes? If they are not, would it be safe to use the new tapes? Does anyone know if the lubricants are the same? I would understand if you guys get frustrated with my questions, but I am a true newcomer to video and MiniDV. Any help you can send my way would be much appreciated. -neal

June 14th, 2003, 03:23 PM	#11
Jeff Price Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chico, California Posts: 357	A search will turn up some recent threads on tapes. According to two different Panasonic reps ALL Panasonic Master tapes use the same lube. I think it was Ken who also pointed out that Panasonic and Fuji tapes are made by the same manufacturer (??). The best advice I've seen on the subject is still to pick one brand and stick with it. __________________ Jeff Price Flickerflix Nature Videos flickerflix@yahoo.com

June 14th, 2003, 03:33 PM	#12
Neal J So New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 16	Ok, Thanks Jeff I think I am comfortable using the new tapes. They might even be the same tapes in new packaging. -neal

May 31st, 2003, 01:15 PM	#2
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	I use Fuji tapes also, they are great. Apparently, from what I read, it's just a matter of mixing "dry" and "wet" lubricants, that some tapes use. As far as I know, the only 2 tapes that use "wet" lubricant, are Sony's, and one kind of the Panasonics. Also, JVC tape, is identical to Fuji tape, and to add to that, most other tape (One kind of Panasonic, TDK, Maxell) appear to be manufactured by Fuji also... Your camera will be fine...just stick with the Fuji's...

May 31st, 2003, 01:17 PM	#3
Tustin Larson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 86	Alex, I think you may be OK without cleaning, but if you notice any stripes or mosaics... then pop in the DRY head cleaner. Play it for about 10 seconds... thats all. Thanx,

May 31st, 2003, 01:23 PM	#4
Alex Geschke Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 37	Thanks to both of you, that's what I was hoping to hear.

June 14th, 2003, 01:51 AM	#5
Neal J So New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 16	<<<-- Originally posted by Alex Apparently, from what I read, it's just a matter of mixing "dry" and "wet" lubricants, that some tapes use. As far as I know, the only 2 tapes that use "wet" lubricant, are Sony's, and one kind of the Panasonics. -->>> Hi all, I have come late to the discussion. Can anyone tell me which one kind of Panasonic tape uses the "wet" lubricant? I am currently using Panasonic tapes but would like to switch to TDK. -neal

June 14th, 2003, 02:33 AM	#6
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Why TDK? Because they are inexpensive?

June 14th, 2003, 03:57 AM	#7
Neal J So New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 16	Yes. I read somewhere that TDK made decent tapes, no? If these tapes aren't very good, please let me know. In case I don't switch to TDK, but stick to Panasonic tapes, which Panasonic tapes are the wet ones, and which are the dry ones? Before I found this discussion, I picked up a new pack of Panasonic tapes, but they aren't the same as the ones I had been using. I am wondering if I should return them and try to find my original tapes. -neal

June 14th, 2003, 01:56 PM	#9
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Neal, I have some good tape links here. As I find more, I add them to this list. http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

June 14th, 2003, 04:51 PM	#13
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Some Panas are wet, some are dry. Some of Pana's tape are made by Fuji. Fuji is a company that makes high quality media storage. Check out what they make on their website. Fuji = quality. :)

June 15th, 2003, 12:38 AM	#14
Neal J So New Boot Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 16	Ok, now I have conflicting info. One says all Panasonic tapes use the same lubrication. One says some use wet, some use dry. Does anyone happen to use the Panasonic AY-DVM60 tapes?

June 15th, 2003, 01:04 AM	#15
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	If it doesn't say on one the links on that page I provided, or on the tape package, I'd contact Pana Tech for your answer. That's what I do: go for the horse's mouth.