tapes and cleaning at DVinfo.net

Luke Gates · May 17th, 2003, 02:29 AM

I have heard a lot about the tapes used in DV cameras. Is it ok if I just go to a department store and buy panasonic tapes or should I get some high quality tape that they only sell in camera shops.
my second question is how often should I clean the heads on the camera and is a certain brand recommended? I have been using a JVC head cleaning tape. thanks

Frank Granovski · May 17th, 2003, 02:34 AM

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

My advice is to find a brand/type you're happy with and then stick with it.

The JVC cleaner should be okay. I suggest only cleaning your heads when you need cleaning, unless you're mixing brands/types---good way to wear out the heads---I haven't cleaned my 2 JVC cams for almost 4 years now. I've only been using Fuji miniDV tape in them.

Luke Gates · May 17th, 2003, 04:19 AM

find a brand I'm happy with? whats the difference between sony or panasonic, etc. will I see a difference in quality or is it just personal preference

Jeff Price · May 17th, 2003, 11:25 AM

Sony and Panasonic - two tape brands you DON"T want to mix. There are differences in lube on these two. What get's really complex is that there are fewer tape manufacturers than there are brands. So, apparently Fuji and Panasonic are actually the same (according to the site Frank posted) and Canon may be the same as well.

There are lots of opinions and Frank's advice may be the best. Find one that works for you and stick with it.

There may be differences if you are recording over a tape a lot or under certain climatic conditions (I've had one salesperson recommend the Panasonic MQ over the PQ if you are going to be in climatic extremes) where the tape stock may matter more than others. Unfortunately, it seems to be easier to find 'conventional wisdom' than actual data on types of tape stock, expansion/contraction with temperature, and type of lube.

Luke Gates · May 17th, 2003, 08:07 PM

sorry to keep posting dumb questions...but my main question still goes unanswered. Is it ok to buy DV tapes from a department store like wal-mart as long as I always buy panasonic? or is there a better quality panasonic that I will find from say B & H photo?
thanks for all the other info though. couldn't do it without you all answering my questions.

Tustin Larson · May 17th, 2003, 09:13 PM

my opinion.... go with FUJI...

Luke Gates · May 17th, 2003, 09:28 PM

i'm glad you like FUJI but still I need to know if its ok to buy tapes from a department store like wal-mart or is there a higher quality panasonic that they only sell in camera specialty stores like B & H?

Jeff Donald · May 17th, 2003, 10:05 PM

DV and mini DV are recording Digital information, so the quality will be the same as far as immediate use of the tapes. Higher quality tapes will probably last longer and are more durable under repeated use (playback and recording).

Wal*Mart sells the same tape as B & H (and specialty stores) in the lower grade from respective manufactures. However, you will not find the top grade tapes at the department stores.

Ken Tanaka · May 17th, 2003, 10:16 PM

Luke,
Panasonic has several grades of tape. The MQ series is their best, the PQ is their "professional". The EJ and XJ tapes are their consumer-grade tapes and are what you are most likely seeing in department stores.

In my experience, the grade you use within the brand is far less important than that you stick with a brand. I use Panasonic's PQ and MQ grades, often waiting for sales and buying in quantity. But I've also used the EJ tapes with no trouble whatsoever.

Luke Gates · May 18th, 2003, 01:14 AM

THANK YOU!!!!

Frank Granovski · May 18th, 2003, 03:41 AM

Here's a good article:

http://multimedian.com/pcv/school/camcare.html

May 17th, 2003, 02:29 AM	#1
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	tapes and cleaning I have heard a lot about the tapes used in DV cameras. Is it ok if I just go to a department store and buy panasonic tapes or should I get some high quality tape that they only sell in camera shops. my second question is how often should I clean the heads on the camera and is a certain brand recommended? I have been using a JVC head cleaning tape. thanks

May 17th, 2003, 11:25 AM	#4
Jeff Price Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chico, California Posts: 357	Sony and Panasonic - two tape brands you DON"T want to mix. There are differences in lube on these two. What get's really complex is that there are fewer tape manufacturers than there are brands. So, apparently Fuji and Panasonic are actually the same (according to the site Frank posted) and Canon may be the same as well. There are lots of opinions and Frank's advice may be the best. Find one that works for you and stick with it. There may be differences if you are recording over a tape a lot or under certain climatic conditions (I've had one salesperson recommend the Panasonic MQ over the PQ if you are going to be in climatic extremes) where the tape stock may matter more than others. Unfortunately, it seems to be easier to find 'conventional wisdom' than actual data on types of tape stock, expansion/contraction with temperature, and type of lube. __________________ Jeff Price Flickerflix Nature Videos flickerflix@yahoo.com

May 17th, 2003, 10:05 PM	#8
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	DV and mini DV are recording Digital information, so the quality will be the same as far as immediate use of the tapes. Higher quality tapes will probably last longer and are more durable under repeated use (playback and recording). WalMart sells the same tape as B & H (and specialty stores) in the lower grade from respective manufactures. However, you will not find the top grade tapes at the department stores. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem* Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 17th, 2003, 10:16 PM	#9
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Luke, Panasonic has several grades of tape. The MQ series is their best, the PQ is their "professional". The EJ and XJ tapes are their consumer-grade tapes and are what you are most likely seeing in department stores. In my experience, the grade you use within the brand is far less important than that you stick with a brand. I use Panasonic's PQ and MQ grades, often waiting for sales and buying in quantity. But I've also used the EJ tapes with no trouble whatsoever. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 17th, 2003, 02:34 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm My advice is to find a brand/type you're happy with and then stick with it. The JVC cleaner should be okay. I suggest only cleaning your heads when you need cleaning, unless you're mixing brands/types---good way to wear out the heads---I haven't cleaned my 2 JVC cams for almost 4 years now. I've only been using Fuji miniDV tape in them.

May 17th, 2003, 04:19 AM	#3
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	find a brand I'm happy with? whats the difference between sony or panasonic, etc. will I see a difference in quality or is it just personal preference

May 17th, 2003, 08:07 PM	#5
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	sorry to keep posting dumb questions...but my main question still goes unanswered. Is it ok to buy DV tapes from a department store like wal-mart as long as I always buy panasonic? or is there a better quality panasonic that I will find from say B & H photo? thanks for all the other info though. couldn't do it without you all answering my questions.

May 17th, 2003, 09:13 PM	#6
Tustin Larson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 86	my opinion.... go with FUJI...

May 17th, 2003, 09:28 PM	#7
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	i'm glad you like FUJI but still I need to know if its ok to buy tapes from a department store like wal-mart or is there a higher quality panasonic that they only sell in camera specialty stores like B & H?

May 18th, 2003, 01:14 AM	#10
Luke Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: new jersey Posts: 151	THANK YOU!!!!

May 18th, 2003, 03:41 AM	#11
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Here's a good article: http://multimedian.com/pcv/school/camcare.html