Which tapes to use in the XH-A1 at DVinfo.net

Oliver Darden · December 23rd, 2008, 10:21 PM

What tapes do you guys recommend for the XH A1?
Should they be dry HD HDV tapes like this?

Panasonic | AY-DVM63HD 63 Minute Mini DV Tape | AY-DVM63HD | B&H

Thanks.

Paul W. Hazeltine · December 24th, 2008, 02:28 AM

I have been using Panasonic "DVM 63 AMQ" tapes in my XH-A1 and my wifes Canon HV30 since they were new and have not had any problems "yet".

Paul W. H

Pat Reddy · December 24th, 2008, 08:24 AM

There are some long threads around here discussing this topic. The bottom line is that it pretty much doesn't matter, just stick with one brand on your camera or you might have some problems with the tape heads. I have used Sony Premiums on all my cameras. Only one minor dropout on the XH-A1 in the last year.

Pat

Denys Pyevtsov · December 24th, 2008, 09:48 AM

I use TDK (HDV) tapes. Not a single dropout in 6 months.

Andy Olson · December 24th, 2008, 10:17 AM

I've heard you can use any brand of dv tape you want as long as you run a cleaning tape between switching brands. I've used only Sony minidv in my HV20 and never really had any problems.

Best,
Andy

Tripp Woelfel · December 24th, 2008, 07:48 PM

The Panasonic DVM63AMQ seem to be a favorite for Canon users. I did a bit of research before I jumped to HDV with my XH A1 nearly a year and a half ago and that tape came up most often.

John Stakes · December 24th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Olson

I've heard you can use any brand of dv tape you want as long as you run a cleaning tape between switching brands.

correct, but not recommended.

JS

Oliver Darden · December 27th, 2008, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Stakes

correct, but not recommended.

JS

What do you recommend John?

Dave Messinger · December 27th, 2008, 11:39 AM

I wouldn't want to clean the heads a lot cause that is wear and tear on the heads.

Steve Wolla · December 27th, 2008, 01:18 PM

For personal stuff, Sony Premiums.
For clients, Sony Digital Master 63's. Try and avoid 80 min tapes, as they are often too thin.

Bob Bowers · December 28th, 2008, 02:02 AM

What is if any difference between the Sony and this?

Canon | HDVM-E63PR Video Cassette | 1313B001 | B&H Photo Video

Jack Walker · December 28th, 2008, 02:46 AM

I don't know about the Canon master tape, except that it costs $18.50.

I use the Pamasonic 63 min. AMQ tape (Advanced Master), and I just bought a box locally at a store for under $7 a tape. Here is some spec info on that tape:
Tape Resources - Panasonic AMQ - Ultimate DV / HDV / DVCAM Tape - Frequently Asked Questions -

I have searched the web in the past and found detailed information on many of the different tapes sold, but haven't recently. The information being recorded is identical no matter what tape is used. The structure of the tape, the particular chemicals used in the manufacture, the durability of the tape in several dimensions, etc. are differences in the tapes. All the manufactures make a consumer tape, a mid-range professional tape, and a high-end professional tape (and possibly other designations as well). Prices vary wildly, so it is difficult to say if pricing is actually inline with manufacturing cost. I think in some cases it might not be.

In the past six months the Panasonic AMQ tape seems to have come down in price about 20-25%.

I have read that Canon tapes are made by somebody else I think (Panasonic?), but that may or may not be true, and that wouldn't mean tapes are equivalent any way.

Bottom line, to get a grip on the subject, it is necessary to search and find detailed specs on each given tape and compare them (relying on trusted technical sources).

Stephen King · December 28th, 2008, 05:03 PM

I did alot of research previous as well, and decided on the Panasonic AV-DVM63AMQ as well.

They are $5.63 each at B&H here:

DVM63AMQ | B&H Photo Video

David Gibson · January 4th, 2009, 11:57 AM

One question in my mind is how many times can you or do you use a tape? I suspect there is no one right answer. What do you look for in a tape that tells you its reached its end of useful life and needs to be thrown away?

Battle Vaughan · January 5th, 2009, 01:02 PM

Our rule here is: never reuse a tape. Sounds profligate, but it's not:

(1) Tapes cost less than a good roll of color film. It's false economy to re-use them.
(What sense does this argument make? Have had to use the simile with management, we're a newspaper. We used to issue a hundred rolls of $5-a-pop film to photographers and not give it a thought, now they complain if we buy a hundred tapes a month. So I make this point, they sometimes seem to get it....)

(2) Tapes can and do develop drop-outs, physical wear and oxide particle loss with repeated use. Do you want to risk your effort and the time and expense of producing a piece to save $5?

(3)Tapes are your fall-back archive for your work, if you use them over or throw them away the access to your raw files is gone too. My two cents. // Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

December 23rd, 2008, 10:21 PM	#1
Oliver Darden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: USA Posts: 522	Which tapes to use in the XH-A1 What tapes do you guys recommend for the XH A1? Should they be dry HD HDV tapes like this? Panasonic \| AY-DVM63HD 63 Minute Mini DV Tape \| AY-DVM63HD \| B&H Thanks.

December 24th, 2008, 10:17 AM	#5
Andy Olson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 85	I've heard you can use any brand of dv tape you want as long as you run a cleaning tape between switching brands. I've used only Sony minidv in my HV20 and never really had any problems. Best, Andy __________________ www.dvfilm.com

December 24th, 2008, 02:28 AM	#2
Paul W. Hazeltine Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: West Kent UK Posts: 26	I have been using Panasonic "DVM 63 AMQ" tapes in my XH-A1 and my wifes Canon HV30 since they were new and have not had any problems "yet". Paul W. H

December 24th, 2008, 08:24 AM	#3
Pat Reddy Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 288	There are some long threads around here discussing this topic. The bottom line is that it pretty much doesn't matter, just stick with one brand on your camera or you might have some problems with the tape heads. I have used Sony Premiums on all my cameras. Only one minor dropout on the XH-A1 in the last year. Pat

December 24th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#4
Denys Pyevtsov Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 30	I use TDK (HDV) tapes. Not a single dropout in 6 months.

December 24th, 2008, 07:48 PM	#6
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	The Panasonic DVM63AMQ seem to be a favorite for Canon users. I did a bit of research before I jumped to HDV with my XH A1 nearly a year and a half ago and that tape came up most often.

December 27th, 2008, 11:39 AM	#9
Dave Messinger New Boot Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 9	I wouldn't want to clean the heads a lot cause that is wear and tear on the heads.

December 27th, 2008, 01:18 PM	#10
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	For personal stuff, Sony Premiums. For clients, Sony Digital Master 63's. Try and avoid 80 min tapes, as they are often too thin.

December 28th, 2008, 02:02 AM	#11
Bob Bowers New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 15	What is if any difference between the Sony and this? Canon \| HDVM-E63PR Video Cassette \| 1313B001 \| B&H Photo Video

December 28th, 2008, 02:46 AM	#12
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	I don't know about the Canon master tape, except that it costs $18.50. I use the Pamasonic 63 min. AMQ tape (Advanced Master), and I just bought a box locally at a store for under $7 a tape. Here is some spec info on that tape: Tape Resources - Panasonic AMQ - Ultimate DV / HDV / DVCAM Tape - Frequently Asked Questions - I have searched the web in the past and found detailed information on many of the different tapes sold, but haven't recently. The information being recorded is identical no matter what tape is used. The structure of the tape, the particular chemicals used in the manufacture, the durability of the tape in several dimensions, etc. are differences in the tapes. All the manufactures make a consumer tape, a mid-range professional tape, and a high-end professional tape (and possibly other designations as well). Prices vary wildly, so it is difficult to say if pricing is actually inline with manufacturing cost. I think in some cases it might not be. In the past six months the Panasonic AMQ tape seems to have come down in price about 20-25%. I have read that Canon tapes are made by somebody else I think (Panasonic?), but that may or may not be true, and that wouldn't mean tapes are equivalent any way. Bottom line, to get a grip on the subject, it is necessary to search and find detailed specs on each given tape and compare them (relying on trusted technical sources).

December 28th, 2008, 05:03 PM	#13
Stephen King New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wayne PA Posts: 17	I did alot of research previous as well, and decided on the Panasonic AV-DVM63AMQ as well. They are $5.63 each at B&H here: DVM63AMQ \| B&H Photo Video

January 4th, 2009, 11:57 AM	#14
David Gibson Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Abilene, Texas Posts: 42	One question in my mind is how many times can you or do you use a tape? I suspect there is no one right answer. What do you look for in a tape that tells you its reached its end of useful life and needs to be thrown away?

January 5th, 2009, 01:02 PM	#15
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	Our rule here is: never reuse a tape. Sounds profligate, but it's not: (1) Tapes cost less than a good roll of color film. It's false economy to re-use them. (What sense does this argument make? Have had to use the simile with management, we're a newspaper. We used to issue a hundred rolls of $5-a-pop film to photographers and not give it a thought, now they complain if we buy a hundred tapes a month. So I make this point, they sometimes seem to get it....) (2) Tapes can and do develop drop-outs, physical wear and oxide particle loss with repeated use. Do you want to risk your effort and the time and expense of producing a piece to save $5? (3)Tapes are your fall-back archive for your work, if you use them over or throw them away the access to your raw files is gone too. My two cents. // Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team