Your favorite DV tape?

Eric Lian · June 27th, 2003, 11:55 AM

I use Sony DVM60.
I've learned to never reuse a tape unless it's the difference between not getting a shot and getting a once in a lifetime shot.

My experience with DVCAM...

The unit I shoot for accidently bought DVCAM tapes for their portable miniDV recorder instead of miniDV tapes. They were stored away in a file cabinet for quite some time.

One very busy day, I ran out of tape. Someone gave me the DVCAM tape and explained the "bought-in-error" story. I had never seen a DVCAM tape before - it looked just like a miniDV tape - except it had what looked like small, embedded, rectangular metal contacts. I put it in my XL-1 and did some test shots and playback; seemed to work fine.

When I got home, I put the DVCAM tape into my editing deck - a JVC HR-DVS2. (I never use the XL-1 as a playback deck... er... anymore). The deck wouldn't accept the tape. Every time I pushed it in, it spit it back out again.

Bottom line... I saw no quality difference between the the DVCAM tape and the Sony DVM60. The DVCAM tape is much more expensive, and records for a shorter period of time.
I shoot in a very dynamic, unscripted environment and can't say "Just a minute, I have to load a new tape." The DVCAM tape is not compatible with my editing deck.

Vince Denali · June 27th, 2003, 01:44 PM

I've been using TDKs exclusively ($24/6 pack at CostCo)and haven't experienced any problems. Is there any information on longetivity ? Pinnacle Studio8 has a dropped frame counter,
but I've never had a Firewire video transfer "Capture" lose
frames. I've noticed some "dropouts", but that's because I'm fiddling with the camera. There's a dropped frame counter
in Studio8. As long as it's accurate, I'm totally confident with
TDK tapes. I've transfer 60-90 minutes of video/month over
the last 2.5 years.

David L. Fisher · July 3rd, 2003, 10:16 PM

I just picked up some Panasonic DVC Professional Super LinearPlus tapes. I couldn't find the Master Series.

How do these rate by comparison?

David

Russ Evenhouse · August 1st, 2003, 06:15 AM

So I'm hereby going to assume that according to what I've read here and at other posts concerning tapes and head cleaning at this site, that it's really not too serious which brand you use use as long long as you use a better quality tape in the brand and pretty much stick with that brand after you start, and not to go back and forth EVER between a wet lube tape and a dry lube. Is there any preference for a head cleaning tape?
I use all panasonics so far. I live in a fairly dusty area, and recently cleaned the head for the first time. I was actually sweating this, as I've heard much say on the rec.video.desktop newsgroup in the past about getting heads on the xl1s goobered up by switching tapes. But know one seemingly had any definite authority in saying which tapes could or would produce those problems.
I used it for 5 seconds and it cleared up nicely.
Thanks for all the information here concerning the use of various tapes, and head cleaning procedures. I breathe easier now!!!
Russ Evenhouse

Josh Frye · August 1st, 2003, 06:29 AM

Im a TDK user. The price, and quality are just right for me.

June 27th, 2003, 11:55 AM	#16
Eric Lian Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 61	DVCAM Tapes I use Sony DVM60. I've learned to never reuse a tape unless it's the difference between not getting a shot and getting a once in a lifetime shot. My experience with DVCAM... The unit I shoot for accidently bought DVCAM tapes for their portable miniDV recorder instead of miniDV tapes. They were stored away in a file cabinet for quite some time. One very busy day, I ran out of tape. Someone gave me the DVCAM tape and explained the "bought-in-error" story. I had never seen a DVCAM tape before - it looked just like a miniDV tape - except it had what looked like small, embedded, rectangular metal contacts. I put it in my XL-1 and did some test shots and playback; seemed to work fine. When I got home, I put the DVCAM tape into my editing deck - a JVC HR-DVS2. (I never use the XL-1 as a playback deck... er... anymore). The deck wouldn't accept the tape. Every time I pushed it in, it spit it back out again. Bottom line... I saw no quality difference between the the DVCAM tape and the Sony DVM60. The DVCAM tape is much more expensive, and records for a shorter period of time. I shoot in a very dynamic, unscripted environment and can't say "Just a minute, I have to load a new tape." The DVCAM tape is not compatible with my editing deck.

July 3rd, 2003, 10:16 PM	#18
David L. Fisher New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 23	tapes I just picked up some Panasonic DVC Professional Super LinearPlus tapes. I couldn't find the Master Series. How do these rate by comparison? David

August 1st, 2003, 06:15 AM	#19
Russ Evenhouse New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottssbluff, Nebraska Posts: 11	Your favorite DV tape? So I'm hereby going to assume that according to what I've read here and at other posts concerning tapes and head cleaning at this site, that it's really not too serious which brand you use use as long long as you use a better quality tape in the brand and pretty much stick with that brand after you start, and not to go back and forth EVER between a wet lube tape and a dry lube. Is there any preference for a head cleaning tape? I use all panasonics so far. I live in a fairly dusty area, and recently cleaned the head for the first time. I was actually sweating this, as I've heard much say on the rec.video.desktop newsgroup in the past about getting heads on the xl1s goobered up by switching tapes. But know one seemingly had any definite authority in saying which tapes could or would produce those problems. I used it for 5 seconds and it cleared up nicely. Thanks for all the information here concerning the use of various tapes, and head cleaning procedures. I breathe easier now!!! Russ Evenhouse

August 1st, 2003, 06:29 AM	#20
Josh Frye Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Berlin Germany Posts: 46	Im a TDK user. The price, and quality are just right for me. __________________ Cheers

June 27th, 2003, 01:44 PM	#17
Vince Denali Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 33	I've been using TDKs exclusively ($24/6 pack at CostCo)and haven't experienced any problems. Is there any information on longetivity ? Pinnacle Studio8 has a dropped frame counter, but I've never had a Firewire video transfer "Capture" lose frames. I've noticed some "dropouts", but that's because I'm fiddling with the camera. There's a dropped frame counter in Studio8. As long as it's accurate, I'm totally confident with TDK tapes. I've transfer 60-90 minutes of video/month over the last 2.5 years.