JVC tape in a Sony camera? at DVinfo.net

Rob Birks · January 21st, 2010, 03:40 AM

A presenter has asked me to cut together stock footage of his for his showreel. The footage is stored on 2 x JVC Mini-DV60 tapes. I don't have a tape deck so I capture all my footage (shot on Sony tapes) through my Sony V1E. In the past, I have been warned (and certainly with tape decks, have witnessed have-to-take-it-all-apart-and-put-it-back-together-again results) when people use the wrong manufacturer's tape in their deck or camera and the heads get ruined or damaged.

Is there any danger with capturing these JVC tapes through my Sony V1E?

Thanks! (My first post! Yay!)

Colin Rowe · January 21st, 2010, 06:31 AM

Probably not. There used to be an issue with using different tapes, but I would not think there would be much risk now. The problem was, different tape manufacturers used differenent lubricants, I think it is pretty much standardised now. I have used many different tapes in my Sony cams over the years, never had a problem. Having said that it is best to start, and stick with the same brand of tape from day one, to minimise any risk of clogging.

Rob Birks · January 21st, 2010, 06:41 AM

Thanks Colin, good to know :)

Adam Gold · January 21st, 2010, 12:02 PM

Just clean your heads before and after switching brands just to play it safe. Probably not strictly necessary, but with judicious use, no downside.

January 21st, 2010, 03:40 AM	#1
Rob Birks Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Reading (England) Posts: 43	JVC tape in a Sony camera? A presenter has asked me to cut together stock footage of his for his showreel. The footage is stored on 2 x JVC Mini-DV60 tapes. I don't have a tape deck so I capture all my footage (shot on Sony tapes) through my Sony V1E. In the past, I have been warned (and certainly with tape decks, have witnessed have-to-take-it-all-apart-and-put-it-back-together-again results) when people use the wrong manufacturer's tape in their deck or camera and the heads get ruined or damaged. Is there any danger with capturing these JVC tapes through my Sony V1E? Thanks! (My first post! Yay!)

January 21st, 2010, 06:31 AM	#2
Colin Rowe Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall UK Posts: 793	Probably not. There used to be an issue with using different tapes, but I would not think there would be much risk now. The problem was, different tape manufacturers used differenent lubricants, I think it is pretty much standardised now. I have used many different tapes in my Sony cams over the years, never had a problem. Having said that it is best to start, and stick with the same brand of tape from day one, to minimise any risk of clogging. __________________ Colin

January 21st, 2010, 06:41 AM	#3
Rob Birks Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Reading (England) Posts: 43	Thanks Colin, good to know :) __________________ Rob

January 21st, 2010, 12:02 PM	#4
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Just clean your heads before and after switching brands just to play it safe. Probably not strictly necessary, but with judicious use, no downside. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."