Mini DV Tapes vs Mini HD Tapes

Justin Thieda · May 27th, 2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin Alcock

So if you shouldn't mix brands, what about mixing the HD and the regular ones? Obviously I wouldn't mix on the same shoot between HD and SD.

After reading through this entire thread and seeing that this question was not answered, it seems that it may not be important, but I feel I should ask again anyway. Within the thread, there are differences described between HDV's and DV's materials used, so it seems that this could potentially create some conflict within the brand. Does someone need to worry when switching between HDV and DV when using the same brand? Would cleaning the heads be a good idea when performing such a switch? Also, would it be necessary to have a cleaning tape that aligns with the brand of the tapes someone is using, since a sony tape cleaner might be better designed for cleaning a "wet" lubricant off the heads?

Forgive me, as I am just a lowly newbie looking for answers and I would appreciate any feedback on these questions.

Thanks, Justin.

Tom Hardwick · May 27th, 2009, 01:11 AM

You can use any make of head-cleaning tape you like. They're all pretty abraisive, so it matters not a lot which one you choose.

And you can safely swap between (say) Sony's Premium, DVCAM, HDV and Excellence tapes without going through the head-cleaning tape phase first. I know - I've been doing it for years.

tom.

Justin Thieda · May 27th, 2009, 02:49 AM

Thank you for the timely response. Now I can put my order in through B&H for all my extra goodies! I appreciate it Tom.

Justin

Joseph Bicanic · June 16th, 2009, 07:50 AM

To all those that have posted answers - Thank you. I had a Sony HC9HDR replaced by Sony Aus as the Tech guys had no idea about drop outs. The original one worked fine with Sony and TDK tapes but things turned south with JVC tapes. When I got the replacement Camera I had not yet read the invaluable info posted here and again used Sony, TDK and JVC tapes and yes it happened again. Since reading this thread I have run a head cleaning cassette through the machine but I still have a few drop outs. As I do underwate video I only get one chance to shoot whever is there and a drop out at the wrong moment. Any other ways to avoid the drop outs?

Tom Hardwick · June 16th, 2009, 08:04 AM

The more I read about JVC tapes, the more I back off.

Obviously if you're making BD you'll have to shoot HDV underwater Joseph, but if you're simply down-converting to edit then have you considered shooting in SD to begin with?

Then if you can get dropouts the individual frames can have their sparklies repaired in Photoshop. You won't be doing that with half a second of lost HDV footage.

tom.

Martin van der Poel · June 16th, 2009, 08:07 AM

I tend to agree as I also have had problems with the cheaper JVC tapes.

Joseph Bicanic · June 16th, 2009, 08:12 AM

Hi Tom, Appreciate your quick response. I am an amateur but love underwater videography. I had a JVC SD Camera but it has been replaced with the Sony HC9. I could not go back to SD. With the URPro filters the Video often appears better than the dive. This is only posible watching it in full HD. I Edit using Pinnacle 12 and burn files to AVCHD on DVD.

Other than cutting out the drop outs how else would the drop outs be "Fixed/Tweaked". Any other advice would be greatly appreciated - am off to PNG andBali in July so any tricks would be great.

Tom Hardwick · June 16th, 2009, 08:25 AM

There is no fix, no tweak. If it's not been recorded to tape, it's not been recorded - simple as that.

Use a head cleaner, then stick to one brand of tape. Maybe you should've looked at cameras that record AVCHD direct to SDHC card?

Joseph Bicanic · June 16th, 2009, 08:29 AM

Tom - Hind sight is a wonderful thing. Had I found this thread between cameras (so to speak) I probably would have gone to SDHC. Thanks for the advice

Martin - I noticed you are a fellow Perth Person. Do you by any chance Video underwater?

Richard Cadenas · September 3rd, 2009, 01:32 PM

Ah I re-found the thread!
I read this thread awhile back and had to give it a try. I was very skeptical since I would think the technologies would be incompatible.
My wife had just bought 100 SONY MiniDV Excellence on eBay for $4.00+ each
(I wish she'd use the $2 Premiums, but she needs the IC memory chip) regardless, I gave it a try and it works perfectly! No drops, nothing, its perfect. I haven't cleaned my heads or anything. Now I use the SONY Excellence exclusively, I don't see myself going back to HDV tapes anytime soon.

I would have never tried it...I'm thankful I did!
Thanks,

Rick

Martin van der Poel · September 3rd, 2009, 04:22 PM

Joseph.
Sorry for the late reply, I did not get a notification until now.
I take video of dance competitions and my own social events.
Regards,

Martin

May 27th, 2009, 02:49 AM	#93
Justin Thieda New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 15	Fair enough. Thank you for the timely response. Now I can put my order in through B&H for all my extra goodies! I appreciate it Tom. Justin

September 3rd, 2009, 01:32 PM	#100
Richard Cadenas Tourist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Miami Florida Posts: 1	Mini DV tapes vs Mini HD Tapes. Ah I re-found the thread! I read this thread awhile back and had to give it a try. I was very skeptical since I would think the technologies would be incompatible. My wife had just bought 100 SONY MiniDV Excellence on eBay for $4.00+ each (I wish she'd use the $2 Premiums, but she needs the IC memory chip) regardless, I gave it a try and it works perfectly! No drops, nothing, its perfect. I haven't cleaned my heads or anything. Now I use the SONY Excellence exclusively, I don't see myself going back to HDV tapes anytime soon. I would have never tried it...I'm thankful I did! Thanks, Rick Last edited by Richard Cadenas; September 3rd, 2009 at 01:39 PM. Reason: Clarification

September 3rd, 2009, 04:22 PM	#101
Martin van der Poel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 32	Mini DV tapes vs Mini HD Tapes Joseph. Sorry for the late reply, I did not get a notification until now. I take video of dance competitions and my own social events. Regards, Martin

May 27th, 2009, 01:11 AM	#92
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	You can use any make of head-cleaning tape you like. They're all pretty abraisive, so it matters not a lot which one you choose. And you can safely swap between (say) Sony's Premium, DVCAM, HDV and Excellence tapes without going through the head-cleaning tape phase first. I know - I've been doing it for years. tom.

June 16th, 2009, 07:50 AM	#94
Joseph Bicanic New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 6	To all those that have posted answers - Thank you. I had a Sony HC9HDR replaced by Sony Aus as the Tech guys had no idea about drop outs. The original one worked fine with Sony and TDK tapes but things turned south with JVC tapes. When I got the replacement Camera I had not yet read the invaluable info posted here and again used Sony, TDK and JVC tapes and yes it happened again. Since reading this thread I have run a head cleaning cassette through the machine but I still have a few drop outs. As I do underwate video I only get one chance to shoot whever is there and a drop out at the wrong moment. Any other ways to avoid the drop outs?

June 16th, 2009, 08:04 AM	#95
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	The more I read about JVC tapes, the more I back off. Obviously if you're making BD you'll have to shoot HDV underwater Joseph, but if you're simply down-converting to edit then have you considered shooting in SD to begin with? Then if you can get dropouts the individual frames can have their sparklies repaired in Photoshop. You won't be doing that with half a second of lost HDV footage. tom.

June 16th, 2009, 08:07 AM	#96
Martin van der Poel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 32	I tend to agree as I also have had problems with the cheaper JVC tapes.

June 16th, 2009, 08:12 AM	#97
Joseph Bicanic New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 6	Hi Tom, Appreciate your quick response. I am an amateur but love underwater videography. I had a JVC SD Camera but it has been replaced with the Sony HC9. I could not go back to SD. With the URPro filters the Video often appears better than the dive. This is only posible watching it in full HD. I Edit using Pinnacle 12 and burn files to AVCHD on DVD. Other than cutting out the drop outs how else would the drop outs be "Fixed/Tweaked". Any other advice would be greatly appreciated - am off to PNG andBali in July so any tricks would be great.

June 16th, 2009, 08:25 AM	#98
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	There is no fix, no tweak. If it's not been recorded to tape, it's not been recorded - simple as that. Use a head cleaner, then stick to one brand of tape. Maybe you should've looked at cameras that record AVCHD direct to SDHC card?

June 16th, 2009, 08:29 AM	#99
Joseph Bicanic New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 6	Tom - Hind sight is a wonderful thing. Had I found this thread between cameras (so to speak) I probably would have gone to SDHC. Thanks for the advice Martin - I noticed you are a fellow Perth Person. Do you by any chance Video underwater?