How would you rate the JVC ProHD 63min Tapes at DVinfo.net

Robert Bec · September 12th, 2008, 12:40 AM

Hey Guys

I can get my hands on the ProHD 63min tapes at a good price i have used them in my JVC camera but now i would like to use them in my Sony Z7

There shouldn't be any issues i have never reused a tape i always use new tapes

Rob.

Stuart Campbell · September 12th, 2008, 06:38 AM

I think they are very good (so far)

I've found drop-out instances to be rare (touching wood) so can recommend these tapes. They are cheap too!

Many people on this forum advise against tape brand swapping but I can't say I've ever in my career heard of this problem before and neither have I ever had any issues from using Maxel and Sony tapes for example, in my Digi Beta etc. However, I can't say I've ever swapped brands in my JVC, only because the tapes I get are the best price and work well!

James Espy · September 12th, 2008, 07:20 AM

I agree with Stuart, The JVC's are priced well and work great. I bet they will work just fine in that sony of yours. BTW what's your good price if you don't mind me asking?

j

Mark Silva · September 12th, 2008, 10:56 AM

I was faithful to the jvc tapes from day one, but I got frequent drop-outs so
I switch to the sony hdv tapes and only had 1 drop out in a year.

Stuart Campbell · September 14th, 2008, 04:21 PM

about 5 or 6 Euros per roll plus vat.

Jeff Kellam · September 15th, 2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Bec

Hey Guys

I can get my hands on the ProHD 63min tapes at a good price i have used them in my JVC camera but now i would like to use them in my Sony Z7

There shouldn't be any issues i have never reused a tape i always use new tapes

Rob.

I originally used them in my JVC GR-HD1 and now in my Canon XH-A1. Never had a problem or dropout so far. Good tapes.

Phil Balsdon · September 15th, 2008, 04:51 PM

Make sure you thoroughly clean the heads / tape mechanism before changing tape types. Some of the ingredients used by manufacturers don't play nicely with the opposition tape.

I had problems with other manufacturers before changing to JVC ProHD stock, but this maybe partly due to using whatever stock the producer provided. Now I always insist on the JVC stock I provide and have had no problems in over a year.

Jason McCormy · September 16th, 2008, 12:32 PM

I just had an interesting conversation with someone. Are standard dv tapes, such as the Sony DVCam tapes just as good as the HDV mini DV tapes in the JVC camera?

James Espy · September 16th, 2008, 08:16 PM

I was just having the same conversation with someone about dvcam vs. jvc hdv tapes, anyone have any info?

Robert Bec · September 16th, 2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Balsdon

Make sure you thoroughly clean the heads / tape mechanism before changing tape types. Some of the ingredients used by manufacturers don't play nicely with the opposition tape.

I had problems with other manufacturers before changing to JVC ProHD stock, but this maybe partly due to using whatever stock the producer provided. Now I always insist on the JVC stock I provide and have had no problems in over a year.

Phil

the Sony Z7 is brand new have run 20 sony DVM60PRO tapes through the camera but now i can save $4 per tape using the JVC ProHD 63min tapes but am scared to run a head cleaning tape

what do you think

Jason McCormy · September 17th, 2008, 09:42 AM

I've got close to a 100 never used DVCAM mini dv tapes and would love to use them. I'd be able to save a little money.

Phil Balsdon · September 17th, 2008, 03:55 PM

Rob,
I think running a head cleaning tape won't do any significant harm to your camera. You should do this every so often anyway.

What will be a problem is the mixing of different compounds used by different manufacturers of tape stock. Small amounts residue gets left on heads and tape transport path in the deck. In some cases the chemical combining of what is meant to be a lubricant becomes more like a glue. At best you'll end up with lots of drop outs or a major cleaning at a service centre.

Lemac rentals now insist you use the manufacturer of the cameras brand of tape in the camera they hire you.

Contact me directly if you want to know exactly what happened to me (details on contact page of my website. Contacts for Phil Balsdon, cinematographer and steadicam operator)

Phil Balsdon

Shaun Roemich · September 17th, 2008, 04:14 PM

I make a point of running a JVC branded cleaning tape thru my HD200 for the recommended 10 seconds every 20-30 ish hours of tape roll as a matter of course. Yes, premature wear is bad but drop outs are worse if they occur during a "never again" scene. Just my 2 cents.

Robert Bec · September 17th, 2008, 06:32 PM

Just spoke to JVC rep and he told me not to use a JVC tape in a sony camera. Sony use wet tapes i dont understand what he meant by that and there heads work differently so i guess i will stay with the sony brand and just re-use them once.

James Espy · September 18th, 2008, 04:08 AM

you re-use tape?

September 12th, 2008, 12:40 AM	#1
Robert Bec Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 358	How would you rate the JVC ProHD 63min Tapes Hey Guys I can get my hands on the ProHD 63min tapes at a good price i have used them in my JVC camera but now i would like to use them in my Sony Z7 There shouldn't be any issues i have never reused a tape i always use new tapes Rob.

September 17th, 2008, 04:14 PM	#13
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	I make a point of running a JVC branded cleaning tape thru my HD200 for the recommended 10 seconds every 20-30 ish hours of tape roll as a matter of course. Yes, premature wear is bad but drop outs are worse if they occur during a "never again" scene. Just my 2 cents. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 12th, 2008, 06:38 AM	#2
Stuart Campbell Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hannover, Germany Posts: 400	I think they are very good (so far) I've found drop-out instances to be rare (touching wood) so can recommend these tapes. They are cheap too! Many people on this forum advise against tape brand swapping but I can't say I've ever in my career heard of this problem before and neither have I ever had any issues from using Maxel and Sony tapes for example, in my Digi Beta etc. However, I can't say I've ever swapped brands in my JVC, only because the tapes I get are the best price and work well!

September 12th, 2008, 07:20 AM	#3
James Espy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: state college, pa Posts: 11	I agree with Stuart, The JVC's are priced well and work great. I bet they will work just fine in that sony of yours. BTW what's your good price if you don't mind me asking? j

September 12th, 2008, 10:56 AM	#4
Mark Silva Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 431	I was faithful to the jvc tapes from day one, but I got frequent drop-outs so I switch to the sony hdv tapes and only had 1 drop out in a year.

September 14th, 2008, 04:21 PM	#5
Stuart Campbell Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hannover, Germany Posts: 400	about 5 or 6 Euros per roll plus vat.

September 15th, 2008, 04:51 PM	#7
Phil Balsdon Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 91	Make sure you thoroughly clean the heads / tape mechanism before changing tape types. Some of the ingredients used by manufacturers don't play nicely with the opposition tape. I had problems with other manufacturers before changing to JVC ProHD stock, but this maybe partly due to using whatever stock the producer provided. Now I always insist on the JVC stock I provide and have had no problems in over a year.

September 16th, 2008, 12:32 PM	#8
Jason McCormy Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Agoura California Posts: 268	I just had an interesting conversation with someone. Are standard dv tapes, such as the Sony DVCam tapes just as good as the HDV mini DV tapes in the JVC camera?

September 16th, 2008, 08:16 PM	#9
James Espy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: state college, pa Posts: 11	I was just having the same conversation with someone about dvcam vs. jvc hdv tapes, anyone have any info?

September 17th, 2008, 09:42 AM	#11
Jason McCormy Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Agoura California Posts: 268	I've got close to a 100 never used DVCAM mini dv tapes and would love to use them. I'd be able to save a little money.

September 17th, 2008, 03:55 PM	#12
Phil Balsdon Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 91	Rob, I think running a head cleaning tape won't do any significant harm to your camera. You should do this every so often anyway. What will be a problem is the mixing of different compounds used by different manufacturers of tape stock. Small amounts residue gets left on heads and tape transport path in the deck. In some cases the chemical combining of what is meant to be a lubricant becomes more like a glue. At best you'll end up with lots of drop outs or a major cleaning at a service centre. Lemac rentals now insist you use the manufacturer of the cameras brand of tape in the camera they hire you. Contact me directly if you want to know exactly what happened to me (details on contact page of my website. Contacts for Phil Balsdon, cinematographer and steadicam operator) Phil Balsdon

September 17th, 2008, 06:32 PM	#14
Robert Bec Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 358	Just spoke to JVC rep and he told me not to use a JVC tape in a sony camera. Sony use wet tapes i dont understand what he meant by that and there heads work differently so i guess i will stay with the sony brand and just re-use them once.

September 18th, 2008, 04:08 AM	#15
James Espy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: state college, pa Posts: 11	you re-use tape?