How come 80 min tapes are so costly?

[Bruce Pelley]

The going ratio is about 2 to 3 times the cost of a 60 min tape.

Why is there such as substantial difference?

Doesn't seem reasonable on the surface.

Any thoughts on the matter?

I'd like to understand why!

Thanks.

[Ken Tanaka]

More tape, higher packing costs, less manufacturing availability, the war in Iraq,...marketing.

In general, 80 min. tapes are not a good selection for most applications. The tape is thinner (in order to fit into the miniDV cassettes) and that can lead to some durability problems. Don't use them unless you absolutely, positively have no practical alternative. Stick with standard 60 min cassettes and always shoot in SP.

[Frank Granovski]

They cost more because there's more tape and people buy them at that price. If no one bought them at that price, the price would be lower.

That war has been over for over a year. :-))

[Bruce Pelley]

If that's your opinion on 80 minute tapes than I'd love to hear your comments on 120 minute tapes that costs $15-$20 each.

Enjoy!

Personally,I think it's a ripoff,The whole lot!!!

How thin can tape be sliced?Can you see through it?

Ciao,

Bruce

BTW,I do use 60 minute tapes in SP mode,but it's no fun to have to change the tape and lose part of the program if it runs over that timeframe.

My hands are only so fast.....In change mode that is....

They are better on the piano!

[Ken Tanaka]

"...it's no fun to have to change the tape and lose part of the program if it runs over that timeframe."

Solution: Get a Firestore FS-3. It makes tape optional and solves the 60 min barrier issue.

[Bruce Pelley]

Ken,

I think that all things considered,I'll stick with a 80 min tape!

The FS-3 was interesting but oh so costly.

Thanks for the reccomendation.

What's the statistical chances,the 80 minute tape breaks?

Bruce

[Ken Tanaka]

I don't know the stats but here's some pretty hard evidence: Panasonic recommends not using 80 min tapes in their DVX100/100A manuals...and they make 80 min. tapes!

I've not used them for several years but I had 3-4 that gave me trouble over a year.

BTW, the MCE Quickstream devices might be a more economical direct-to-disk unit for you. I've not yet used one myself.

[Kevin Kimmell]

I've been using Panasonic AY-DVM80EJ tapes exclusively in my GL2 for taping live concerts and have not had a single problem.

That's not to say that there can't be problems. I'm new to this whole game and have only shot about 30 tapes but I just bought another 50 pack of the 80 minute tapes without hesitation.

And when I did the math, it seemed to me that I was saving $.03/minute when buying these tapes in bulk.

EVS has bulk (50+) discounts.
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/m...roduct_Count=3

[Frank Granovski]

The going ratio is about 2 to 3 times the cost of a 60 min tape.

If that's your opinion on 80 minute tapes than I'd love to hear your comments on 120 minute tapes that costs $15-$20 each.

I didn't want to repeat what Ken said, and here in Vancouver, 80 minute tapes don't cost that much more than 60 minute tapes (between Pana 60 and Pana 80). The main reason why I never got into 80 minute tapes is because the tape is thinner, less robust. (Regarding 120 minute tapes, there's no such beast.) :-))