VHS Tape Stock at DVinfo.net

Brad Simmons · July 23rd, 2003, 05:12 AM

Hey guys.
I'm about to make a lot of copies from miniDV to VHS. I have a deck that will do this. My questions are...

1. Which brand of tape is the best to buy? I've heard Fuji's make the best, is there a particular model number I should look for?

2. My film is only 6 minutes long. Most tapes I've seen are 2 hours or more. Seems like a major waste of tape. I've heard that they do make 10 min VHS tapes, but that the quality is garbage. Is that true?

3. I see that there are VHS tapes, and S-VHS tapes. I'm assuming the S-VHS tapes are better quality, but does that mean that whoever is watching it must have an SVHS VCR? Just want to make sure before I make a bunch of copies and people start telling me the tapes won't work.

thanks guys!

Arnaldo Paixao · July 23rd, 2003, 08:43 AM

Hi Brad.

I use TDK tapes but as far I know, you should be ok with any major brand (Fuji, Sony, etc).

I don't have experience with 10min tapes.

Normaly the S-VHS are better quality. You can use them in VHS recorders ( to record and play). You must be careful if you record them in a S-VHS capable player. If you want the tapes to play in VHS VCRs, be shure to set your recorder to VHS mode.

Best regards
Arnaldo

Mark Argerake · July 23rd, 2003, 09:25 AM

check out taperesource.com for different length vhs tapes. i get all my media from them.

Brad Simmons · July 23rd, 2003, 02:26 PM

thanks for the advice guys! I'll look into it.

Alex Taylor · July 23rd, 2003, 05:49 PM

I just used a bunch of Fuji T-10s (10 minute tapes) to send some of my films to film festivals. The quality was fine, equivalent if not better to the generic 2-hour tapes. Just make sure to avoid the first 15 seconds like any other tape and you'll be fine!

July 23rd, 2003, 05:12 AM	#1
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	VHS Tape Stock Hey guys. I'm about to make a lot of copies from miniDV to VHS. I have a deck that will do this. My questions are... 1. Which brand of tape is the best to buy? I've heard Fuji's make the best, is there a particular model number I should look for? 2. My film is only 6 minutes long. Most tapes I've seen are 2 hours or more. Seems like a major waste of tape. I've heard that they do make 10 min VHS tapes, but that the quality is garbage. Is that true? 3. I see that there are VHS tapes, and S-VHS tapes. I'm assuming the S-VHS tapes are better quality, but does that mean that whoever is watching it must have an SVHS VCR? Just want to make sure before I make a bunch of copies and people start telling me the tapes won't work. thanks guys!

July 23rd, 2003, 05:49 PM	#5
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	I just used a bunch of Fuji T-10s (10 minute tapes) to send some of my films to film festivals. The quality was fine, equivalent if not better to the generic 2-hour tapes. Just make sure to avoid the first 15 seconds like any other tape and you'll be fine! __________________ alextaylor.org

July 23rd, 2003, 08:43 AM	#2
Arnaldo Paixao Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vimeiro - Portugal Posts: 255	Hi Brad. I use TDK tapes but as far I know, you should be ok with any major brand (Fuji, Sony, etc). I don't have experience with 10min tapes. Normaly the S-VHS are better quality. You can use them in VHS recorders ( to record and play). You must be careful if you record them in a S-VHS capable player. If you want the tapes to play in VHS VCRs, be shure to set your recorder to VHS mode. Best regards Arnaldo

July 23rd, 2003, 09:25 AM	#3
Mark Argerake Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 227	check out taperesource.com for different length vhs tapes. i get all my media from them.

July 23rd, 2003, 02:26 PM	#4
Brad Simmons Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 304	thanks for the advice guys! I'll look into it.