Is it OK to use regular mini-DV tapes? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Wallace · April 9th, 2010, 01:48 PM

I have an FX1000 and been using the Sony HDV tapes - HDM-63VG. But I also still have a case of Sony DVM60PRL - the standard mini-DV tapes compatible with any mini-DV camcorder like the PD150.

Is there really a huge difference? I'd love to get some use out of all the DVM60PRLs I have rather than buy another case of HDV tapes.

Has anyone had experience with using these tapes in the HDV cameras?

Thanks

Adam Gold · April 9th, 2010, 02:11 PM

They're all fine. Go over to the tape forum and you can read hundreds of posts on this topic.

Colin McDonald · April 9th, 2010, 02:12 PM

This type of question comes up frequently and has been discussed at length many times.
Here's a couple of the more recent threads, but you can search the The Long Black Line Forum at DVinfo.net yourself for many more.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/long-bla...recommend.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/long-bla...-hd-tapes.html

Jeff Wallace · April 9th, 2010, 02:20 PM

Ok great... thanks! I'm new to the forum so I didn't know this was already discussed somewhere else.

Mod - please feel free to delete this thread.

Matthew Overstreet · April 9th, 2010, 03:41 PM

I'm not too familiar with the camera you are using, but if it's an HDV camera... miniDV tapes WILL work with it. However, keep this in mind... the dropouts may become unbearable for you. I recently shot a feature and started with a Canon HDV tape (which worked really well btw) but switched over to cheaper miniDV tapes a little ways through production. The dropouts I got on the miniDV tapes rendered a lot of the footage unusable. Just something to think about.

Shaun Roemich · April 9th, 2010, 03:51 PM

Jeff, I've shot international docs on a Sony Z1 using nothing more than DVM60PRs with excellent results.

Jeff Wallace · April 9th, 2010, 07:56 PM

Shaun... good to know you had success with those tapes!

Matthew... I will do some tests before I commit to switching tapes, but thanks for the warning.

I have so many DVM60PRLs that it seemed like such a waste not being able to use them.

Martyn Hull · April 10th, 2010, 12:43 AM

For me using sony premiums with my HV30 i have not had a single drop out in the 12 months i have had the cam, around 40 tapes, i use a new tape for filming and another new one for the edited film from the pc, my previous sony HC1/FX7s did give at least one drop out per tape.personaly i never use cleaning tapes unless neaded and none with the canon so far.

April 9th, 2010, 01:48 PM	#1
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Is it OK to use regular mini-DV tapes? I have an FX1000 and been using the Sony HDV tapes - HDM-63VG. But I also still have a case of Sony DVM60PRL - the standard mini-DV tapes compatible with any mini-DV camcorder like the PD150. Is there really a huge difference? I'd love to get some use out of all the DVM60PRLs I have rather than buy another case of HDV tapes. Has anyone had experience with using these tapes in the HDV cameras? Thanks

April 9th, 2010, 02:11 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	They're all fine. Go over to the tape forum and you can read hundreds of posts on this topic. __________________ "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."

April 9th, 2010, 03:41 PM	#5
Matthew Overstreet Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Whitman, Massachusetts Posts: 168	I'm not too familiar with the camera you are using, but if it's an HDV camera... miniDV tapes WILL work with it. However, keep this in mind... the dropouts may become unbearable for you. I recently shot a feature and started with a Canon HDV tape (which worked really well btw) but switched over to cheaper miniDV tapes a little ways through production. The dropouts I got on the miniDV tapes rendered a lot of the footage unusable. Just something to think about. __________________ Late December. A feature film by Matthew Overstreet & Christopher J. Adams.

April 9th, 2010, 03:51 PM	#6
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Jeff, I've shot international docs on a Sony Z1 using nothing more than DVM60PRs with excellent results. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

April 9th, 2010, 02:12 PM	#3
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	This type of question comes up frequently and has been discussed at length many times. Here's a couple of the more recent threads, but you can search the The Long Black Line Forum at DVinfo.net yourself for many more. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/long-bla...recommend.html http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/long-bla...-hd-tapes.html

April 9th, 2010, 02:20 PM	#4
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Ok great... thanks! I'm new to the forum so I didn't know this was already discussed somewhere else. Mod - please feel free to delete this thread.

April 9th, 2010, 07:56 PM	#7
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Shaun... good to know you had success with those tapes! Matthew... I will do some tests before I commit to switching tapes, but thanks for the warning. I have so many DVM60PRLs that it seemed like such a waste not being able to use them.

April 10th, 2010, 12:43 AM	#8
Martyn Hull Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England Posts: 444	For me using sony premiums with my HV30 i have not had a single drop out in the 12 months i have had the cam, around 40 tapes, i use a new tape for filming and another new one for the edited film from the pc, my previous sony HC1/FX7s did give at least one drop out per tape.personaly i never use cleaning tapes unless neaded and none with the canon so far.