HVR-Z1U best tape to use at DVinfo.net

Mark Chafe · February 15th, 2011, 11:10 AM

Hi All

Recently purchased a HVR-Z1U on ebay. I purchased this from a ebay store, and they do not know what brand of tape was used by the previous owner.

I purchased a few Sony DVM85HD tapes to use as all I have at the moment are Sony DVCAM tapes and DVM60 tapes for my PD150 and 170. I have used a Sony DVCAM/HDV professional cleaning tape. Just wondering if the DVM85HD tapes are the best to use for everyday HDV footage, or if I am better off using another brand? I have a friend of mine who has been using fuji tapes from day one in his XHA1 and has never had a dropout. I have a dropout every once in awhile although I use the same brand tape (Sony) with a mix between DVM60's and PDVM-40 tapes in my PD150 & PD170s. I know these are much older cameras, however there are only a few hundred drum hours on them and heads are cleaned once every few months, and once before a paid gig.

I also use a DSR-30 deck to ingest my footage from the DV tapes, however I will have to be using my camera for the HDV footage for now until i get a new deck or a MRC1 which I am looking at.

Just wondering what brand/model tape people have had the most success with the Z1U and maybe even the PD150 and 170 as i am havinvg dropouts with the DVM60s.

Thanks
Mark

Adam Bauser · February 15th, 2011, 01:38 PM

I've used the Sony PDVM-40's and 32's in both my PDX10 and rented Z1Us with no problems. I recently switched to using the PDVM-63HD cassettes for both and have not had any problems. I also use DVM60s on occasion when I have to buy tape in a hurry and don't have time to order. My preference these days is definitely the PDVM-63HD. I've also used the more expensive PDVM-63DM but doesn't seem to give any extra bang for the buck.

Mark Chafe · February 15th, 2011, 04:49 PM

Sorry put this in the wrong category. Should have been for Z1u

Kevin McRoberts · February 18th, 2011, 10:44 AM

I've run nearly 300 DVM60's through my Z1U (and HV30, and previously PD150) and haven't had any dropout issues.

Duncan Craig · February 18th, 2011, 03:48 PM

DVM60's here too. I've used hundreds of them in my VX2000, Z1 and HV20.
It's the only stock I've ever used, probably best to choose a stock and stick to it.

February 15th, 2011, 11:10 AM	#1
Mark Chafe Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 162	HVR-Z1U best tape to use Hi All Recently purchased a HVR-Z1U on ebay. I purchased this from a ebay store, and they do not know what brand of tape was used by the previous owner. I purchased a few Sony DVM85HD tapes to use as all I have at the moment are Sony DVCAM tapes and DVM60 tapes for my PD150 and 170. I have used a Sony DVCAM/HDV professional cleaning tape. Just wondering if the DVM85HD tapes are the best to use for everyday HDV footage, or if I am better off using another brand? I have a friend of mine who has been using fuji tapes from day one in his XHA1 and has never had a dropout. I have a dropout every once in awhile although I use the same brand tape (Sony) with a mix between DVM60's and PDVM-40 tapes in my PD150 & PD170s. I know these are much older cameras, however there are only a few hundred drum hours on them and heads are cleaned once every few months, and once before a paid gig. I also use a DSR-30 deck to ingest my footage from the DV tapes, however I will have to be using my camera for the HDV footage for now until i get a new deck or a MRC1 which I am looking at. Just wondering what brand/model tape people have had the most success with the Z1U and maybe even the PD150 and 170 as i am havinvg dropouts with the DVM60s. Thanks Mark

February 18th, 2011, 03:48 PM	#5
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	DVM60's here too. I've used hundreds of them in my VX2000, Z1 and HV20. It's the only stock I've ever used, probably best to choose a stock and stick to it. __________________ FCPX/LS300/EX1/FS100/GoPro/Vinten/HotHead/Jib/Track/Dedos/Lightstorm/Coollights

February 15th, 2011, 01:38 PM	#2
Adam Bauser Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 73	I've used the Sony PDVM-40's and 32's in both my PDX10 and rented Z1Us with no problems. I recently switched to using the PDVM-63HD cassettes for both and have not had any problems. I also use DVM60s on occasion when I have to buy tape in a hurry and don't have time to order. My preference these days is definitely the PDVM-63HD. I've also used the more expensive PDVM-63DM but doesn't seem to give any extra bang for the buck.

February 15th, 2011, 04:49 PM	#3
Mark Chafe Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 162	Sorry put this in the wrong category. Should have been for Z1u

February 18th, 2011, 10:44 AM	#4
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	I've run nearly 300 DVM60's through my Z1U (and HV30, and previously PD150) and haven't had any dropout issues.