XH-A1 Tapes at DVinfo.net

Ed Mohar · September 18th, 2008, 06:45 AM

ok, i've got a question.

I would prefer not to use consumer miniDV tapes with my xh-a1 anymore. I know there are the pro-miniDV's, but I was wondering if I could use miniDVCAM tapes like the Sony PDVM-40N.

I ask because my department can save $ on packs of these, and they work with our decks.

Annie Haycock · September 18th, 2008, 07:31 AM

Given that Sony provided an PHDVM-63M tape with DVCAM clearly printed on the box with my Sony HVR A1, I would expect a DVCAM tape to be usable in any mini DV camera/deck. I use Sony HD and premium DV tapes in both my cameras.

Josh Laronge · September 18th, 2008, 07:44 AM

I use Sony PHDVM-63DM DVCAM Master Digital. It's the only tape that's ever been in my A1s. Works great, never had a drop out.

Mark Fry · September 18th, 2008, 10:27 AM

See also this recent thread and a whole forum section dedicated to tape. There's nothing peculiar to the XH-A1 in this respect. What's true for this camera is true for all HDV cameras and, to some extent, all DV cams too. IIRC DVCAM is just DV run at a higher tape speed. The tapes should be interchangeable. FWIW I have had good results with Panasonic AMQ. I do get the occassional drop out, but nothing like as serious as a friend who uses Sony Premium miniDV tapes in his FX1.

Luke Ross · September 18th, 2008, 02:53 PM

I have been using the Panasonic AYDVM63PQ 63/42 Minute tapes with 0 drops. I had two drops with the canon tape that came with the camera, but the Panasonics have been affordable and solid for me.

Ed Mohar · September 19th, 2008, 05:23 AM

hmm, you've given me thoughts to think. haha. thanks all

Bill Pryor · September 19th, 2008, 08:37 AM

I used the AMQ for awhile with no problems, but then on a 2-camera shoot with two XH A1's we had a total of 5 tapes with serious dropouts from both cameras. They all came from the same batch, so I thought that was the problem. Then later I had a dropout in another one. So I gave them up and went with the Sony PHDVM-63. I'm into the second 20 and no trouble at all. Since Canon doesn't make tapes, the Canons are probably Sony or maybe Fuji, in the same box but a different color and more expensive than the PHDVM.

A friend has been using the AMQs with no problems. So I guess it's just the luck of the draw. I used Sony DVCAM tapes for 8 years and never saw a dropout. The Digital Mastering ones are allegedly their best in this format, so I hope it's true. On the other hand, I know one company who has shot hundreds of HDV with Sony's much cheaper Premium tapes and has had no dropout problems. Y'pays yer money and y'takes yer chances.

Shahryar Rizvi · September 19th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Fry

See also this recent thread and a whole forum section dedicated to tape. There's nothing peculiar to the XH-A1 in this respect. What's true for this camera is true for all HDV cameras and, to some extent, all DV cams too. IIRC DVCAM is just DV run at a higher tape speed. The tapes should be interchangeable. FWIW I have had good results with Panasonic AMQ. I do get the occassional drop out, but nothing like as serious as a friend who uses Sony Premium miniDV tapes in his FX1.

I just posted in that thread too(http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-...tml#post939797). I decided to go with the PQs myself to save a bit of money buying a 10 pack off of Amazon. I'm probably going to get some of the AMQ tapes for important shoots though.

I just want to get some tapes soon so I can start using my XH-A1. It arrived this week, but all I have are sony tapes because that's all I used in my HC1 (these guys http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_Premium.html). FWIW, I never had a problem with these consumer level tapes with my HC1. That's why I'm wondering about using the more expensive tapes, but I guess better safe than sorry on your real important events.

September 18th, 2008, 06:45 AM	#1
Ed Mohar Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: CNY Posts: 49	XH-A1 Tapes ok, i've got a question. I would prefer not to use consumer miniDV tapes with my xh-a1 anymore. I know there are the pro-miniDV's, but I was wondering if I could use miniDVCAM tapes like the Sony PDVM-40N. I ask because my department can save $ on packs of these, and they work with our decks.

September 18th, 2008, 07:31 AM	#2
Annie Haycock Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales Posts: 734	Given that Sony provided an PHDVM-63M tape with DVCAM clearly printed on the box with my Sony HVR A1, I would expect a DVCAM tape to be usable in any mini DV camera/deck. I use Sony HD and premium DV tapes in both my cameras. __________________ Canon XH A1; Canon XF100; Nikon D800

September 18th, 2008, 10:27 AM	#4
Mark Fry Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 425	See also this recent thread and a whole forum section dedicated to tape. There's nothing peculiar to the XH-A1 in this respect. What's true for this camera is true for all HDV cameras and, to some extent, all DV cams too. IIRC DVCAM is just DV run at a higher tape speed. The tapes should be interchangeable. FWIW I have had good results with Panasonic AMQ. I do get the occassional drop out, but nothing like as serious as a friend who uses Sony Premium miniDV tapes in his FX1. __________________ Steam Age Pictures - videos in aid of railway preservation societies.

September 18th, 2008, 02:53 PM	#5
Luke Ross Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 64	I have been using the Panasonic AYDVM63PQ 63/42 Minute tapes with 0 drops. I had two drops with the canon tape that came with the camera, but the Panasonics have been affordable and solid for me. __________________ Canon XH-A1 \| Rode NTG-2 \| Intel QuadCore \| 3.0TB RAID5 + 2xRaptor 150's RAID 0 \| Adobe Production CS3

September 18th, 2008, 07:44 AM	#3
Josh Laronge Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 241	I use Sony PHDVM-63DM DVCAM Master Digital. It's the only tape that's ever been in my A1s. Works great, never had a drop out.

September 19th, 2008, 05:23 AM	#6
Ed Mohar Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: CNY Posts: 49	hmm, you've given me thoughts to think. haha. thanks all

September 19th, 2008, 08:37 AM	#7
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I used the AMQ for awhile with no problems, but then on a 2-camera shoot with two XH A1's we had a total of 5 tapes with serious dropouts from both cameras. They all came from the same batch, so I thought that was the problem. Then later I had a dropout in another one. So I gave them up and went with the Sony PHDVM-63. I'm into the second 20 and no trouble at all. Since Canon doesn't make tapes, the Canons are probably Sony or maybe Fuji, in the same box but a different color and more expensive than the PHDVM. A friend has been using the AMQs with no problems. So I guess it's just the luck of the draw. I used Sony DVCAM tapes for 8 years and never saw a dropout. The Digital Mastering ones are allegedly their best in this format, so I hope it's true. On the other hand, I know one company who has shot hundreds of HDV with Sony's much cheaper Premium tapes and has had no dropout problems. Y'pays yer money and y'takes yer chances.