Panasonic pro quality tape failed?! at DVinfo.net

Doug Fearman · August 13th, 2005, 09:22 AM

I've been using panasonic "consumer grade" mini-dv tapes for 2 years (3-4 dollars each at bh photo).
I don't really know why but a couple months ago I switched to the pro quality. Guess I thought: more money-better quality. I didn't notice any difference although yesterday I recorded some guitar licks to post on a site only to discover that the tape would not play back. I kept getting the message: "needs service" so I tried the tape in another camera(both gs70's) and got the same message. Another pq tape worked OK. Has anyone else run into this problem? Never had this problem with a panasonic "consumer grade" mini-dv tape.
doug

David Ennis · August 19th, 2005, 05:10 PM

I think that the most likely cause is a randomly defective tape cartridge causing too much drag resistance. In my tape rewinder I've noticed that some tapes sail through the process silently, some make a clattering sound, and occasionally one causes the rewinder to stop repeatedly.

Doug Fearman · August 19th, 2005, 05:47 PM

Thanks Fred. Thought that might be the problem. I appreciate your input.
doug

August 13th, 2005, 09:22 AM	#1
Doug Fearman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: upstate new york Posts: 97	Panasonic pro quality tape failed?! I've been using panasonic "consumer grade" mini-dv tapes for 2 years (3-4 dollars each at bh photo). I don't really know why but a couple months ago I switched to the pro quality. Guess I thought: more money-better quality. I didn't notice any difference although yesterday I recorded some guitar licks to post on a site only to discover that the tape would not play back. I kept getting the message: "needs service" so I tried the tape in another camera(both gs70's) and got the same message. Another pq tape worked OK. Has anyone else run into this problem? Never had this problem with a panasonic "consumer grade" mini-dv tape. doug __________________ Would someone turn on the lights!?

August 19th, 2005, 05:10 PM	#2
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	I think that the most likely cause is a randomly defective tape cartridge causing too much drag resistance. In my tape rewinder I've noticed that some tapes sail through the process silently, some make a clattering sound, and occasionally one causes the rewinder to stop repeatedly. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

August 19th, 2005, 05:47 PM	#3
Doug Fearman Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: upstate new york Posts: 97	Thanks Fred. Thought that might be the problem. I appreciate your input. doug __________________ Would someone turn on the lights!?