The VERY BEST type of DV tape at DVinfo.net

Glen Chua · August 19th, 2004, 01:41 PM

Hey guys,
I'm a student film-maker and just bought my GL2 yesturday after a year of research. I really hope I've made the right choice! Anyways, yesturday I bought some SONY Premium DVC tapes. I was wondering if these are any good, because there are also the SONY IC Excellence tapes which cost 30 dollars a peice. I've also heard stuff about switching different types of tapes. If they are both SONY would this be a problem? Anyways, thanks and I'll be sure to post some videos from my GL2 soon! I've been a lurker on this forum for almost 6 months now! Thanks again for all your help!

Glen Chua

Ken Tanaka · August 19th, 2004, 01:46 PM

Welcome Glen,
I've moved you to this section of DVInfo which is devoted to tape matters. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and browse.

Jesse Bradley · August 19th, 2004, 02:04 PM

Glen,
I have been shooting with the SONY Premium tapes for about 4 years now...I've never had a problem with them.

Trond Saetre · August 20th, 2004, 04:46 AM

Forget about the Sony IC Excellence tapes.
The GL2 can not use the IC part of that tape. So that will be waste of money.
Use the Sony Premium or the Sony Excellence (Without the IC) instead. If you change to another brand, use a cleaner tape first.

I use Sony Premium myself, and so far only one tape has had problems.

As far as I know, switching between Premium and Excellence should not cause any problems.

John DeLuca · August 20th, 2004, 12:46 PM

Panasonic master quality are most likely the best.

John

Jesse Bekas · August 21st, 2004, 12:17 PM

Is there any evidence that the Pana MQ series' dry lubricant is better for all camcorders, instead of just the DVX100?

Kevin James · August 26th, 2004, 10:29 AM

Is it true the panasonic mq's are the same as the Fuji 60 minute tapes?

Jesse Bekas · August 28th, 2004, 03:21 PM

I haven't heard that anywhere, and it seems unlikely considering the price discrepancy. Where did you hear that?

Joshua Starnes · August 28th, 2004, 08:23 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jesse Bekas : Is there any evidence that the Pana MQ series' dry lubricant is better for all camcorders, instead of just the DVX100? -->>>

I've been using Pana MQ's with my XL-1, and I have no complaints.

Frederic Segard · August 28th, 2004, 08:29 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Glen Chua :
I was wondering if these are any good, because there are also the SONY IC Excellence tapes which cost 30 dollars a piece.
Glen Chua -->>>

Chipped tapes are not worth it 99% of the time. Just don't bother with them.

<<<-- Originally posted by Glen Chua :
I've also heard stuff about switching different types of tapes.
Glen Chua -->>>

Once you select a tape brand, be it Sony Premium or Panasonic PQ, MQ, or whatever, stick with it and don't change. Changing brands of tapes, because or the varied types of lubricants will clog you heads. And if you think of using a cleaning tape every time you change tape brand, then you'll end up wearing down the heads prematurely. It's basically a loose scenario. Just stick with one brand/type of tape.

Jacques Mersereau · August 29th, 2004, 12:31 PM

Sony has just come out with its Digital Master Quality series of double sided
tape. I would guess that they apply oxide to both sides of this tape which
is supposed to give better signal to noise and less chance of drop outs.

It's expensive, but there are times when I will buy it. The one master
I made from it was perfect. I've had dropouts with regular 3 hr. DVCAM
tapes too frequently.

Mike Cook · August 30th, 2004, 08:21 AM

I use the sony tapes in a very, very harsh environment: skydiving in the desert. Lots of wind moving things around and lots of dust on the ground. I also use multiple passes on the same tape.

I use only Sony since I shoot with Sonys. The Premium tapes tend to drop out far more often than the excellence tapes, even on the first pass. The IC chips I do not use.

You can get these for 7.50 at tape resources.

One drop out at the wrong time is a bad deal for me. In my PD150s I use only DVCAM to further protect against drop outs.

Cheers

Mike

Ken Tanaka · August 30th, 2004, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Cook :
One drop out at the wrong time is a bad deal for me.

Bwahahaha! I imagine you saying this into a camera wearing one of those helmets and goggles holding a Sony tape. Then jumping out of the plane. Like one of those cheesy local cable ads!

Mike Cook · August 30th, 2004, 01:24 PM

I Like that!

Joshua Starnes · August 30th, 2004, 02:45 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jacques Mersereau : Sony has just come out with its Digital Master Quality series of double sided
tape. I would guess that they apply oxide to both sides of this tape which
is supposed to give better signal to noise and less chance of drop outs.

It's expensive, but there are times when I will buy it. The one master
I made from it was perfect. I've had dropouts with regular 3 hr. DVCAM
tapes too frequently. -->>>

I've read up on the Digital Master's and I've been thinking about giving them a try, but I hadn't decided yet. Damn things cost about as much as a spool 16 mill.

August 19th, 2004, 01:41 PM	#1
Glen Chua Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: British Columbia Posts: 98	The VERY BEST type of DV tape Hey guys, I'm a student film-maker and just bought my GL2 yesturday after a year of research. I really hope I've made the right choice! Anyways, yesturday I bought some SONY Premium DVC tapes. I was wondering if these are any good, because there are also the SONY IC Excellence tapes which cost 30 dollars a peice. I've also heard stuff about switching different types of tapes. If they are both SONY would this be a problem? Anyways, thanks and I'll be sure to post some videos from my GL2 soon! I've been a lurker on this forum for almost 6 months now! Thanks again for all your help! Glen Chua

August 19th, 2004, 01:46 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Welcome Glen, I've moved you to this section of DVInfo which is devoted to tape matters. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and browse. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 19th, 2004, 02:04 PM	#3
Jesse Bradley New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8	Glen, I have been shooting with the SONY Premium tapes for about 4 years now...I've never had a problem with them. __________________ "What Is Understood Need Not Be Discussed"

August 28th, 2004, 08:29 PM	#10
Frederic Segard Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 209	Re: The VERY BEST type of DV tape <<<-- Originally posted by Glen Chua : I was wondering if these are any good, because there are also the SONY IC Excellence tapes which cost 30 dollars a piece. Glen Chua -->>> Chipped tapes are not worth it 99% of the time. Just don't bother with them. <<<-- Originally posted by Glen Chua : I've also heard stuff about switching different types of tapes. Glen Chua -->>> Once you select a tape brand, be it Sony Premium or Panasonic PQ, MQ, or whatever, stick with it and don't change. Changing brands of tapes, because or the varied types of lubricants will clog you heads. And if you think of using a cleaning tape every time you change tape brand, then you'll end up wearing down the heads prematurely. It's basically a loose scenario. Just stick with one brand/type of tape.

August 29th, 2004, 12:31 PM	#11
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Sony has just come out with its Digital Master Quality series of double sided tape. I would guess that they apply oxide to both sides of this tape which is supposed to give better signal to noise and less chance of drop outs. It's expensive, but there are times when I will buy it. The one master I made from it was perfect. I've had dropouts with regular 3 hr. DVCAM tapes too frequently. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

August 20th, 2004, 04:46 AM	#4
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Forget about the Sony IC Excellence tapes. The GL2 can not use the IC part of that tape. So that will be waste of money. Use the Sony Premium or the Sony Excellence (Without the IC) instead. If you change to another brand, use a cleaner tape first. I use Sony Premium myself, and so far only one tape has had problems. As far as I know, switching between Premium and Excellence should not cause any problems.

August 20th, 2004, 12:46 PM	#5
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	Panasonic master quality are most likely the best. John

August 21st, 2004, 12:17 PM	#6
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	Is there any evidence that the Pana MQ series' dry lubricant is better for all camcorders, instead of just the DVX100?

August 26th, 2004, 10:29 AM	#7
Kevin James Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 204	Is it true the panasonic mq's are the same as the Fuji 60 minute tapes?

August 28th, 2004, 03:21 PM	#8
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	I haven't heard that anywhere, and it seems unlikely considering the price discrepancy. Where did you hear that?

August 28th, 2004, 08:23 PM	#9
Joshua Starnes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 356	<<<-- Originally posted by Jesse Bekas : Is there any evidence that the Pana MQ series' dry lubricant is better for all camcorders, instead of just the DVX100? -->>> I've been using Pana MQ's with my XL-1, and I have no complaints.

August 30th, 2004, 08:21 AM	#12
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	I use the sony tapes in a very, very harsh environment: skydiving in the desert. Lots of wind moving things around and lots of dust on the ground. I also use multiple passes on the same tape. I use only Sony since I shoot with Sonys. The Premium tapes tend to drop out far more often than the excellence tapes, even on the first pass. The IC chips I do not use. You can get these for 7.50 at tape resources. One drop out at the wrong time is a bad deal for me. In my PD150s I use only DVCAM to further protect against drop outs. Cheers Mike

August 30th, 2004, 01:24 PM	#14
Mike Cook Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland OR Posts: 190	I Like that!

August 30th, 2004, 02:45 PM	#15
Joshua Starnes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 356	<<<-- Originally posted by Jacques Mersereau : Sony has just come out with its Digital Master Quality series of double sided tape. I would guess that they apply oxide to both sides of this tape which is supposed to give better signal to noise and less chance of drop outs. It's expensive, but there are times when I will buy it. The one master I made from it was perfect. I've had dropouts with regular 3 hr. DVCAM tapes too frequently. -->>> I've read up on the Digital Master's and I've been thinking about giving them a try, but I hadn't decided yet. Damn things cost about as much as a spool 16 mill.