Sony DCR TRV-120: What's the best quality of tape for it? at DVinfo.net

Brent Lumkin · September 14th, 2005, 12:16 PM

Me and my cousin are putting together a documentary, and we are using two Sony DCR TRV-120 digital cameras. What would you say is the best quality of tape to use for this project? Thanks a lot guys.

Glenn Chan · September 14th, 2005, 10:51 PM

I don't think it would matter that much, as long as you are using 8mm or hi8 tape (video8 tape may be sketchy?).

After that you can choose between Metal particle and Metal Evaporated tape.
ME is less robust, has higher coercivity (harder to degauss/erase).

2- At such a low budget, I'd just get the cheapest tape you can get your hands on. Video8 may be sketchy as I pointed out. I haven't tried video8 tape, so I don't know.

3- Since digital8 is digital, you're getting the exact same zeroes and ones. Tape may or may not affect the number of dropouts you get. Dropouts are usually rare. If you get them, it's usually not your tape to blame.

I'm assuming your camera is digital8 and not miniDV.

September 14th, 2005, 12:16 PM	#1
Brent Lumkin New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 9	Sony DCR TRV-120: What's the best quality of tape for it? Me and my cousin are putting together a documentary, and we are using two Sony DCR TRV-120 digital cameras. What would you say is the best quality of tape to use for this project? Thanks a lot guys.

September 14th, 2005, 10:51 PM	#2
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	I don't think it would matter that much, as long as you are using 8mm or hi8 tape (video8 tape may be sketchy?). After that you can choose between Metal particle and Metal Evaporated tape. ME is less robust, has higher coercivity (harder to degauss/erase). 2- At such a low budget, I'd just get the cheapest tape you can get your hands on. Video8 may be sketchy as I pointed out. I haven't tried video8 tape, so I don't know. 3- Since digital8 is digital, you're getting the exact same zeroes and ones. Tape may or may not affect the number of dropouts you get. Dropouts are usually rare. If you get them, it's usually not your tape to blame. I'm assuming your camera is digital8 and not miniDV.