what tapes to use? at DVinfo.net

Patrick Smith · August 19th, 2004, 12:39 PM

im currently using a fuji tape which were recommended to me by a guy at best buy.

i was wondering if i can really get a better outcome in film in using a better tape? if so..what kind?

Michael Wisniewski · August 20th, 2004, 04:41 PM

Better tapes will not enhance your image, the same data is recorded whether you buy a $2 tape or a $30 tape.

More expensive tape may be more reliable for recording and storage.

Chris Hurd · August 20th, 2004, 04:52 PM

And cheap tape is more prone to glitches and dropouts. We have an entire forum about this called "The Long Black Line."

Kevin A. Sturges · August 21st, 2004, 02:51 PM

When I first bought my Xi, I had a box of the more expensive Sony DV tapes. Every shot I took was full of dropouts, not matter how many times I cleaned the heads, and head cleaning tapes are not something you want to use very often. Almost every shot was ruined by excessive audio and video glitching. I almost sent the camera back because I thought something was wrong with it.

Before I did though, I bought a box of 10 Panasonic tapes off of eBay for under $40. I don't believe I've had a single drop out since.

Because I was a user of the larger format 8mm Digital8 tapes before, I was worried that the miniDV's might not hold up as well. I know it's not recommended that you do this, but I have experimented with recording over a tape at least four times now (playing it back at least a couple of times first), and still haven't had a drop out yet! OK, so I'm cheap...

I think the most important issue is to find a brand of tape your camera is happy with, and stick to it.

August 19th, 2004, 12:39 PM	#1
Patrick Smith Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 208	what tapes to use? im currently using a fuji tape which were recommended to me by a guy at best buy. i was wondering if i can really get a better outcome in film in using a better tape? if so..what kind? __________________ patricksmith04@hotmail.com

August 20th, 2004, 04:52 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	And cheap tape is more prone to glitches and dropouts. We have an entire forum about this called "The Long Black Line." __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 20th, 2004, 04:41 PM	#2
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Better tapes will not enhance your image, the same data is recorded whether you buy a $2 tape or a $30 tape. More expensive tape may be more reliable for recording and storage.

August 21st, 2004, 02:51 PM	#4
Kevin A. Sturges Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 167	When I first bought my Xi, I had a box of the more expensive Sony DV tapes. Every shot I took was full of dropouts, not matter how many times I cleaned the heads, and head cleaning tapes are not something you want to use very often. Almost every shot was ruined by excessive audio and video glitching. I almost sent the camera back because I thought something was wrong with it. Before I did though, I bought a box of 10 Panasonic tapes off of eBay for under $40. I don't believe I've had a single drop out since. Because I was a user of the larger format 8mm Digital8 tapes before, I was worried that the miniDV's might not hold up as well. I know it's not recommended that you do this, but I have experimented with recording over a tape at least four times now (playing it back at least a couple of times first), and still haven't had a drop out yet! OK, so I'm cheap... I think the most important issue is to find a brand of tape your camera is happy with, and stick to it.