what is the best tape? at DVinfo.net

John Court · January 31st, 2006, 04:42 AM

Hi have read lots on the best tapes to use for my XL2 but is one better than the other?
What is the best?
thanks
John

Andrew Wills · January 31st, 2006, 05:03 AM

Personally I use TDK brand tapes, they've always worked great for me, not too expensive, not too cheap.

Best advice I've been given though is to pick a brand and stick to it, to save the heads on the camera.

As far as I know (and I may be wrong), it doesn't really matter which brand you pick as long as you stick to it afterwards.

Geoff Voorhees · February 2nd, 2006, 03:01 PM

I think a lot of people on here use the premium Panasonic tapes. As far as brands go, don't use Sony if you're not using a Sony camera... at least from what I've read.

Camren Cheline · February 4th, 2006, 11:02 AM

Definitely agree with you on the Sony tapes. I've had numerous problems with Sonys filming for years on the Xl1s. (I was at a school that usually had Sony tapes) But, when I got my XL2, I immediately went with the Panny tapes and haven't had one problem. Plus, if you get them at the right place, don't know if I can say on here, you can get some good ones in a bulk of like 100 for around $3.29. Can't beat that.

Miguel Lombana · February 4th, 2006, 09:08 PM

See I totally disagree with you guys, I've shot Sony tape on all my Canon cams, my 2 GL2's and my XL2 have never seen anything other than Sony tape. I don't use the basic Sony stock however, I use the Sony DVM60EXL which is not a cheap tape http://www.tapestockonline.com/sonyminidv.html has the EXML version with the chip which I don't purchase at about 12 bucks, I get the non chip version for about 7 to 8 at my broadcast supply house.

I also use the Sony tape head cleaner, so it goes to show, a lot of urban legend about tape and tape oils etc. What I would not do however is use the cheapest stuff that I can get at Walgreens at 3am, in that case I'd rather miss the action.

ML

Camren Cheline · February 5th, 2006, 12:07 AM

I would hope spending twice as much on a better Sony tape would do the trick. Some of the nicer ones work well. BUt those basic ones you find at Best Buy just don't cut it. You could go with the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ and save 4 bucks on each tape.

John Court · February 7th, 2006, 12:49 AM

Thank You For The Words, I Have Been Using Sony's May Try The Better Ones And Some Premium Panasonic Tapes.
Thank You
John

Joseph Tran · February 7th, 2006, 08:18 PM

I use the Panasonic tapes and get them at Zotz Digital, one of the sponsors of DVInfo. The PQ tapes are $3.70 each and MQ tapes are only $4.50 each. Good people to work with, to boot.

Camren Cheline · February 8th, 2006, 10:02 AM

I go to B&H (I wasn't sure in my earlier post if B&H was a sponsor, should have almost assumed they would have been) and when you get them in bulk, you can get great prices. I'm about to buy 100 for 3.29 each.

I'll have to check out Zotz Digital.

Greg Boston · February 8th, 2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Wills

Personally I use TDK brand tapes, they've always worked great for me, not too expensive, not too cheap.

Best advice I've been given though is to pick a brand and stick to it, to save the heads on the camera.

As far as I know (and I may be wrong), it doesn't really matter which brand you pick as long as you stick to it afterwards.

TDK in the XL-1 and XL-2 cameras. An occasional Maxell tape when shooting for someone else but have never had problems with either brand. Like Andrew says...not too expensive...not too cheap.

I've been using Sony in the Pana 953 from day one and had a head clean message after two tapes. Read about how common it was for new cameras to do this and haven't had an issue since.

-gb-

p.s. Using Sony vs. TDK also helps me look at the tapes on the shelf and know which camera shot them.

Jason Varner · February 10th, 2006, 08:59 PM

The Sony tapes are fine. The general concensus is stick with one type of tape. Experimentation with tape stock should be avoided. Panasonic uses a dry lube, sony uses a wet one. When you mix tapes you get lube mud on your heads and have to clean them. Good Luck, Jason.

January 31st, 2006, 04:42 AM	#1
John Court New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 22	what is the best tape? Hi have read lots on the best tapes to use for my XL2 but is one better than the other? What is the best? thanks John

February 4th, 2006, 09:08 PM	#5
Miguel Lombana Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Litchfield Park, AZ (W/of Phoenix) Posts: 502	See I totally disagree with you guys, I've shot Sony tape on all my Canon cams, my 2 GL2's and my XL2 have never seen anything other than Sony tape. I don't use the basic Sony stock however, I use the Sony DVM60EXL which is not a cheap tape http://www.tapestockonline.com/sonyminidv.html has the EXML version with the chip which I don't purchase at about 12 bucks, I get the non chip version for about 7 to 8 at my broadcast supply house. I also use the Sony tape head cleaner, so it goes to show, a lot of urban legend about tape and tape oils etc. What I would not do however is use the cheapest stuff that I can get at Walgreens at 3am, in that case I'd rather miss the action. ML __________________ Miguel Lombana http://www.miguellombana.com & http://www.phoenixhamradio.com

February 7th, 2006, 12:49 AM	#7
John Court New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 22	best tape Thank You For The Words, I Have Been Using Sony's May Try The Better Ones And Some Premium Panasonic Tapes. Thank You John

February 10th, 2006, 08:59 PM	#11
Jason Varner Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 119	Hey John The Sony tapes are fine. The general concensus is stick with one type of tape. Experimentation with tape stock should be avoided. Panasonic uses a dry lube, sony uses a wet one. When you mix tapes you get lube mud on your heads and have to clean them. Good Luck, Jason.

January 31st, 2006, 05:03 AM	#2
Andrew Wills Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 34	Personally I use TDK brand tapes, they've always worked great for me, not too expensive, not too cheap. Best advice I've been given though is to pick a brand and stick to it, to save the heads on the camera. As far as I know (and I may be wrong), it doesn't really matter which brand you pick as long as you stick to it afterwards.

February 2nd, 2006, 03:01 PM	#3
Geoff Voorhees New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: United States Posts: 18	I think a lot of people on here use the premium Panasonic tapes. As far as brands go, don't use Sony if you're not using a Sony camera... at least from what I've read.

February 4th, 2006, 11:02 AM	#4
Camren Cheline New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	Definitely agree with you on the Sony tapes. I've had numerous problems with Sonys filming for years on the Xl1s. (I was at a school that usually had Sony tapes) But, when I got my XL2, I immediately went with the Panny tapes and haven't had one problem. Plus, if you get them at the right place, don't know if I can say on here, you can get some good ones in a bulk of like 100 for around $3.29. Can't beat that.

February 5th, 2006, 12:07 AM	#6
Camren Cheline New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	I would hope spending twice as much on a better Sony tape would do the trick. Some of the nicer ones work well. BUt those basic ones you find at Best Buy just don't cut it. You could go with the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ and save 4 bucks on each tape.

February 7th, 2006, 08:18 PM	#8
Joseph Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 177	I use the Panasonic tapes and get them at Zotz Digital, one of the sponsors of DVInfo. The PQ tapes are $3.70 each and MQ tapes are only $4.50 each. Good people to work with, to boot.

February 8th, 2006, 10:02 AM	#9
Camren Cheline New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17	I go to B&H (I wasn't sure in my earlier post if B&H was a sponsor, should have almost assumed they would have been) and when you get them in bulk, you can get great prices. I'm about to buy 100 for 3.29 each. I'll have to check out Zotz Digital.