XL H1 tape stock ?

Shawn Alyasiri · January 31st, 2006, 02:41 PM

Thanks Shannon - very helpful as always.

Makes sense now - I think I've got a Canopus box that uses the same kind of proprietary plug to component breakout.

Is the SD Composite output via BNC or RCA jack?

Very good to know about the 16x9 out - I have a Sony PVM-8045 which makes switching easy. Some of my other monitors aren't as cooperative. Sounds like you'd have trouble just taking this to a friends house and plugging it in to their family set - my guess is the images would be tall/skinny? Perhaps the component out is a little more forgiving on a newer set, or is it the same way. Just wondering, for that odd time that you'd have to plug it into a rogue monitor somewhere...

Thanks.

Shannon Rawls · January 31st, 2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Alyasiri

Is the SD Composite output via BNC or RCA jack?

Both! The XL-H1 is the only HDV camera that provides you with a BNC connection for composite video out. No adapter needed, because you can alternatively use the RCA video jack that's right next to it instead.
On a 4:3 tv the image will be tall/skinny. New or old TV, it doesn't matter....4:3 is not forgiving with a 16:9 image.

- ShannonRawls.com

Jonas Nystrom · February 1st, 2006, 02:45 AM

For the tape brand - use - JVC M-DV63PROHD - don't use Sony, says my DVcam serviceman.

Nick Hiltgen · February 1st, 2006, 10:03 AM

That's interesting did your service man say why to only use the JVC brand? We've had nothing but quality from the sony Digital Master HDV tapes.

Nick Hiltgen · February 1st, 2006, 10:05 AM

I haven't tried the canon tapes, but at 14.00 a piece I would tempted to just pay an extra buck adn get the sony digital masters, if for no other reason then they come in a cool loooking case.

Alister Chapman · February 1st, 2006, 12:30 PM

As others have said the worst thing to do is to change brand. When you use a tape the head drum wears and beds in to on the exact makeup of the tape and lubricant. If you change brand the head wears again adapting to the new brand, so changing brands frequently will promote faster head drum wear. In addition some of the lubricants used when mixed with lubricants from other manufacturers can lead to an increase in oxide shedding and hence dropouts.
So bottom line, pick a reputable brand and stick with it.

Jonas Nystrom · February 1st, 2006, 03:07 PM

I always used Sony's tape before (I think it's called DVM63) when I came to shop (with service man) I told him proud of H1 that I should by some more of the Sony's tape: - Don't, Canon never liked Sony, he told me. Drop outs etc. I don't know... He also told me the mecanical transport is at is best after a year ofe use for a well built camera like the H1. Maybe stick to one brand is the best...

Shawn Alyasiri · February 1st, 2006, 04:43 PM

Does anyone think there'd be any danger to switching between the various qualities of Sony tapes?

That is, stay with the same brand, but sometimes use a regular Sony miniDV 60pr, and sometimes use a Sony 'master' HDV tape?

I have been using Firestores for the last couple of years, so it's rare I even use the tape after a recording. However, if you didn't have a Firestore (or that the Firestore has HDV bugs - which I believe it does), I'd certainly want anything mission critical to be on the best recommended media.

I'm sure that if it's important you should spend the money on the good tapes (or always use the good tapes). I guess I just like being cheap sometimes - especially if the footage works, or if I'm just flat out of tapes, and a local resource has the regular kind. Wouldn't want to switch between both if it was harming the camera though. I'm guessing there's no issue... (?)

Just a thought/question...

Alister Chapman · February 2nd, 2006, 03:24 AM

Staying with the same brand should avoid the lubricant issues, however changing tape formulation will lead to further head profile changes and thus accelerated wear. Having said that most HDV/DV head drums should be good for 2000 hours if well looked after, so it all depends on how long you expect the drum to last. For me I would expect the camera to be superceeded or replaced before the drum wears out.

Justin Lincoln · February 16th, 2006, 09:11 AM

If any one has any links to reviews of the new Panasonic tape could you post them? I'll soon be shooting and had every intention of using the Sony DigitalMaster tapes, because of their reputation, but have personally always liked Panny's Master Quality tapes.

Thanks,

Justin

Johan Forssblad · February 16th, 2006, 03:33 PM

I asked a Canon representative about suitable tapes if not buying Canon's. After a long talk back and forth he said Canon is buying their tape from someone else which is NOT Sony. Suddenly he admitted the tape was the same as the one I planned to buy, the Panasonic AY-DVM63AMQ. I'm not 100 % sure about this because it was a talk over the phone. However, this tape has worked fine so far. /Johan

Christopher Glaeser · February 16th, 2006, 05:27 PM

Is Sony Digital Master the same as DVM 63HD Mini DV tape sold by B&H?

Best,
Christopher

Nick Hiltgen · February 17th, 2006, 12:18 AM

It's similar but the digital master comes in a larger case and is the "top of the line" for the Mini DV range. It's model is the PHDVM-63DM

Gary McClurg · March 12th, 2006, 11:43 AM

Tried to find the answer with search but not much luck...

I was wondering what is the best tape stock to use with the XL H1... doing a second unit shoot in Cancun... then will bump the footage to HDCAM...

Thanks for the upcoming info guys or gals...

Mike Teutsch · March 12th, 2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary McClurg

Tried to find the answer with search but not much luck...

I was wondering what is the best tape stock to use with the XL H1... doing a second unit shoot in Cancun... then will bump the footage to HDCAM...

Thanks for the upcoming info guys or gals...

Gary,

Visit "The Long Black Line" forum at:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=64

Many many threads and posts to help you out. Main consensus, buy a decent tape, and stick with it.

Mike

February 1st, 2006, 02:45 AM	#18
Jonas Nystrom Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Posts: 306	Canon don't like Sony For the tape brand - use - JVC M-DV63PROHD - don't use Sony, says my DVcam serviceman. __________________ Jonas Nyström, DoP :: HOT SHOT® SWEDEN :: www.hotshot.nu :: RED #1567, RED 18-50mm T3 :: XL A1, Letus Extreme :: XL H1, 20X & 6X lens (for sale) :: www.vimeo.com/nystrom

February 1st, 2006, 10:03 AM	#19
Nick Hiltgen Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,427	That's interesting did your service man say why to only use the JVC brand? We've had nothing but quality from the sony Digital Master HDV tapes. __________________ I have a dream that one day canon will release a 35mm ef to xl adapter and I'll have iris control and a 35mm dof of all my ef lenses, and it will be awesome...

February 1st, 2006, 10:05 AM	#20
Nick Hiltgen Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,427	I haven't tried the canon tapes, but at 14.00 a piece I would tempted to just pay an extra buck adn get the sony digital masters, if for no other reason then they come in a cool loooking case. __________________ I have a dream that one day canon will release a 35mm ef to xl adapter and I'll have iris control and a 35mm dof of all my ef lenses, and it will be awesome...

February 1st, 2006, 12:30 PM	#21
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	As others have said the worst thing to do is to change brand. When you use a tape the head drum wears and beds in to on the exact makeup of the tape and lubricant. If you change brand the head wears again adapting to the new brand, so changing brands frequently will promote faster head drum wear. In addition some of the lubricants used when mixed with lubricants from other manufacturers can lead to an increase in oxide shedding and hence dropouts. So bottom line, pick a reputable brand and stick with it. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

February 1st, 2006, 03:07 PM	#22
Jonas Nystrom Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Posts: 306	Strange.. Yes! I always used Sony's tape before (I think it's called DVM63) when I came to shop (with service man) I told him proud of H1 that I should by some more of the Sony's tape: - Don't, Canon never liked Sony, he told me. Drop outs etc. I don't know... He also told me the mecanical transport is at is best after a year ofe use for a well built camera like the H1. Maybe stick to one brand is the best... __________________ Jonas Nyström, DoP :: HOT SHOT® SWEDEN :: www.hotshot.nu :: RED #1567, RED 18-50mm T3 :: XL A1, Letus Extreme :: XL H1, 20X & 6X lens (for sale) :: www.vimeo.com/nystrom

January 31st, 2006, 02:41 PM	#16
Shawn Alyasiri Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 256	Thanks Shannon - very helpful as always. Makes sense now - I think I've got a Canopus box that uses the same kind of proprietary plug to component breakout. Is the SD Composite output via BNC or RCA jack? Very good to know about the 16x9 out - I have a Sony PVM-8045 which makes switching easy. Some of my other monitors aren't as cooperative. Sounds like you'd have trouble just taking this to a friends house and plugging it in to their family set - my guess is the images would be tall/skinny? Perhaps the component out is a little more forgiving on a newer set, or is it the same way. Just wondering, for that odd time that you'd have to plug it into a rogue monitor somewhere... Thanks.

February 1st, 2006, 04:43 PM	#23
Shawn Alyasiri Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 256	Does anyone think there'd be any danger to switching between the various qualities of Sony tapes? That is, stay with the same brand, but sometimes use a regular Sony miniDV 60pr, and sometimes use a Sony 'master' HDV tape? I have been using Firestores for the last couple of years, so it's rare I even use the tape after a recording. However, if you didn't have a Firestore (or that the Firestore has HDV bugs - which I believe it does), I'd certainly want anything mission critical to be on the best recommended media. I'm sure that if it's important you should spend the money on the good tapes (or always use the good tapes). I guess I just like being cheap sometimes - especially if the footage works, or if I'm just flat out of tapes, and a local resource has the regular kind. Wouldn't want to switch between both if it was harming the camera though. I'm guessing there's no issue... (?) Just a thought/question...

February 2nd, 2006, 03:24 AM	#24
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Staying with the same brand should avoid the lubricant issues, however changing tape formulation will lead to further head profile changes and thus accelerated wear. Having said that most HDV/DV head drums should be good for 2000 hours if well looked after, so it all depends on how long you expect the drum to last. For me I would expect the camera to be superceeded or replaced before the drum wears out. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

February 16th, 2006, 09:11 AM	#25
Justin Lincoln Tourist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3	If any one has any links to reviews of the new Panasonic tape could you post them? I'll soon be shooting and had every intention of using the Sony DigitalMaster tapes, because of their reputation, but have personally always liked Panny's Master Quality tapes. Thanks, Justin

February 16th, 2006, 03:33 PM	#26
Johan Forssblad Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vittsjö, SKÅNE, SWEDEN Posts: 266	Canon tape = Panasonic tape (?) I asked a Canon representative about suitable tapes if not buying Canon's. After a long talk back and forth he said Canon is buying their tape from someone else which is NOT Sony. Suddenly he admitted the tape was the same as the one I planned to buy, the Panasonic AY-DVM63AMQ. I'm not 100 % sure about this because it was a talk over the phone. However, this tape has worked fine so far. /Johan

February 16th, 2006, 05:27 PM	#27
Christopher Glaeser Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pleasanton, CA Posts: 258	What is Sony Digital Master? Is Sony Digital Master the same as DVM 63HD Mini DV tape sold by B&H? Best, Christopher

February 17th, 2006, 12:18 AM	#28
Nick Hiltgen Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,427	It's similar but the digital master comes in a larger case and is the "top of the line" for the Mini DV range. It's model is the PHDVM-63DM __________________ I have a dream that one day canon will release a 35mm ef to xl adapter and I'll have iris control and a 35mm dof of all my ef lenses, and it will be awesome...

March 12th, 2006, 11:43 AM	#29
Gary McClurg Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Springfield, MO, USA Posts: 389	Which Tape Stock Is Best? Tried to find the answer with search but not much luck... I was wondering what is the best tape stock to use with the XL H1... doing a second unit shoot in Cancun... then will bump the footage to HDCAM... Thanks for the upcoming info guys or gals...