Tape question

Jeff Price · May 14th, 2003, 12:01 PM

Have any of you mixed Panasonic MQ and PQ tapes in either your GL2 or GL1? Any bad results?

I have seen different opinions as to whether these tapes use the same lube or not. You'd think that being from the same company they would but you never know. I've been using MQ tapes but would rather drop down to PQ if possible. I don't want to have to think to clean heads every time though, especially when it comes to editing.

Thanks.

Ken Tanaka · May 14th, 2003, 12:29 PM

Jeff,
I do this "mix" routinely and have never encoutered a problem.

Jeff Price · May 14th, 2003, 01:55 PM

Thanks, Ken. I've also now heard from the folks at Tape Resources who talked to the Panasonic reps who say they use the same lube.

So, I have no idea where the information came from that was being posted on rec-video.production warning against the white tapes with blue doors came from.

Ken Tanaka · May 14th, 2003, 02:04 PM

There's a tremendous amount of folklore surrounding tapes. Frankly, I think most of us are unsure about the lubrication issues. So, like primitive tribal customs formed by ignorance and "what works", we soak up anecdotal stories and we just stay with something that works for us.

Thanks very much for passing along the Tape Resources information. It helps add to our ever-growing base of knowledge on the subject.

Frank Granovski · May 15th, 2003, 01:37 AM

Jeff, I have some good links and experiences posted here, along with an internal memo about the mixing of tape from TDK or Maxell---can't recall at the moment:

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

Val Rodriguez · May 17th, 2003, 12:30 AM

Ken,
I am reasured by your comments since I've committed to using and mixing the Panasonic MQ and PQ series tapes with my new GL2. Having read comments by you and others on this board about the quality of these tapes, I decided to make them my GL2's "official" tapes and ordered a bunch from a board sponsor at very good price.

Thanks to all on this board who have stressed the importance of sticking with on brand of tapes to minimize the risk of camera malfunction.

Alex Geschke · May 18th, 2003, 05:44 PM

I am new to prosumer video production. I just bought a GL2 a couple of weeks ago and have been having quite a good time with it. It's a great cam!

As I am new to this stuff, I really don't know what you guys are talking about with regard to mixing tapes. I didn't think it made much difference what kind of tape you use, but I have a feeling this is an important topic.

Can someone please fill me in. So far I have been using TDK and Fuji tapes.

Ken Tanaka · May 18th, 2003, 05:52 PM

Alex,
Welcome to the GL2! Indeed, it's a bad idea to mix tape brands. Variations in lubrication, etc. can gum-up your heads.

Our slogan: Pick an' Stick

Frank Granovski · May 18th, 2003, 06:14 PM

Here's another link about cleaning tapes:

http://multimedian.com/pcv/school/camcare.html

Alex Geschke · May 20th, 2003, 10:10 PM

Thanks Ken.

Since I need to stick with one tape, which one do you suggest? Is TDK good enough quality? I can pick them up quick and cheap at Costco, but if it is worth switching to a different brand I'll happily go out of my way.

Alex

Ken Tanaka · May 20th, 2003, 10:38 PM

Panasonic is my brand of choice. Sony would be my 2nd choice. Many report that Fuji is also a good brand.

TDK and Maxell, commonly found at computer and photo shops, tend to be the brands that folks report problems with.

May 14th, 2003, 12:01 PM	#1
Jeff Price Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chico, California Posts: 357	Tape question - mixing Panny tapes Have any of you mixed Panasonic MQ and PQ tapes in either your GL2 or GL1? Any bad results? I have seen different opinions as to whether these tapes use the same lube or not. You'd think that being from the same company they would but you never know. I've been using MQ tapes but would rather drop down to PQ if possible. I don't want to have to think to clean heads every time though, especially when it comes to editing. Thanks. __________________ Jeff Price Flickerflix Nature Videos flickerflix@yahoo.com

May 14th, 2003, 12:29 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Jeff, I do this "mix" routinely and have never encoutered a problem. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 14th, 2003, 01:55 PM	#3
Jeff Price Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chico, California Posts: 357	Thanks, Ken. I've also now heard from the folks at Tape Resources who talked to the Panasonic reps who say they use the same lube. So, I have no idea where the information came from that was being posted on rec-video.production warning against the white tapes with blue doors came from. __________________ Jeff Price Flickerflix Nature Videos flickerflix@yahoo.com

May 14th, 2003, 02:04 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	There's a tremendous amount of folklore surrounding tapes. Frankly, I think most of us are unsure about the lubrication issues. So, like primitive tribal customs formed by ignorance and "what works", we soak up anecdotal stories and we just stay with something that works for us. Thanks very much for passing along the Tape Resources information. It helps add to our ever-growing base of knowledge on the subject. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 17th, 2003, 12:30 AM	#6
Val Rodriguez Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 35	Ken, I am reasured by your comments since I've committed to using and mixing the Panasonic MQ and PQ series tapes with my new GL2. Having read comments by you and others on this board about the quality of these tapes, I decided to make them my GL2's "official" tapes and ordered a bunch from a board sponsor at very good price. Thanks to all on this board who have stressed the importance of sticking with on brand of tapes to minimize the risk of camera malfunction. __________________ Val Rod

May 15th, 2003, 01:37 AM	#5
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Jeff, I have some good links and experiences posted here, along with an internal memo about the mixing of tape from TDK or Maxell---can't recall at the moment: http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

May 18th, 2003, 05:44 PM	#7
Alex Geschke Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 37	I am new to prosumer video production. I just bought a GL2 a couple of weeks ago and have been having quite a good time with it. It's a great cam! As I am new to this stuff, I really don't know what you guys are talking about with regard to mixing tapes. I didn't think it made much difference what kind of tape you use, but I have a feeling this is an important topic. Can someone please fill me in. So far I have been using TDK and Fuji tapes.

May 18th, 2003, 05:52 PM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Alex, Welcome to the GL2! Indeed, it's a bad idea to mix tape brands. Variations in lubrication, etc. can gum-up your heads. Our slogan: Pick an' Stick __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 18th, 2003, 06:14 PM	#9
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Here's another link about cleaning tapes: http://multimedian.com/pcv/school/camcare.html

May 20th, 2003, 10:10 PM	#10
Alex Geschke Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 37	Thanks Ken. Since I need to stick with one tape, which one do you suggest? Is TDK good enough quality? I can pick them up quick and cheap at Costco, but if it is worth switching to a different brand I'll happily go out of my way. Alex

May 20th, 2003, 10:38 PM	#11
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Panasonic is my brand of choice. Sony would be my 2nd choice. Many report that Fuji is also a good brand. TDK and Maxell, commonly found at computer and photo shops, tend to be the brands that folks report problems with. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com