Panasonic tapes in a Sony deck at DVinfo.net

Adam Alphin · January 29th, 2003, 10:27 PM

I just started shooting B-roll and early interviews for a promo video and had an interesting but very frustrating experience recording on Panaosnic tapes. All footage was shot with an XL1s. My deck is a Sony DSR-20 DV-CAM deck but it also can play back Mini-DV tapes. My partner on this project shoots weddings for a living and felt that we should use the Panasonic Master quality Mini-DV tapes that she is acustomed to. She shoots with a Sony and has a less expensive JVC camera for a deck.

Right off the bat there were problems. Every tape, when played back in my DSR-20 had audio drop outs and pixelation all over the place. When I stuck the same tape in my XL1s, everything looked fine. I still freaked out and went as far as to do a physical head cleaning at a local camera rental house that had the right tools for the job. Test footage looked fine. Today I shot another interview and first viewed it on my friend's JVC and then tried it out in my DSR-20 again. Fine on the first, same problem on the second. I immediately put the tape back in the XL1s and the footage was fine there too.

What's up with these Panasonic tapes? My brand of choice is Maxell. I have never had a problem with them except when I get dirty heads. Is there something physical about the tape that doesn't allow it to play back properly on my deck?

Just tonight a friend told me that there are numerous cases out there where switching to Panasonic tapes (after consistantly using Sony tapes) can actually damage the play and record heads of a Sony camera.

I'm afraid that these Panasonic tapes could eventually screw up my XL1s! Has anybody had a similar experience?

Jeff Donald · January 29th, 2003, 10:58 PM

This topic has been discussed many times, so rather than cover the same ground let me provide a few links i obtained by using the search button in the upper right.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.ph...der=descending

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.ph...der=descending

If after reviewing the threads you still have questions feel free to post back.

Don Palomaki · January 30th, 2003, 05:37 AM

There have been reports of occasional issues when attempting to play XL1 tapes in Sony DVCAM gear. And also reports of issues attempting to play MiniDV tapes recorded on DVCAM gear in MiniDV mode on an XL1. Not everyone has probelms, but some people do. The issues may relate to production variations, the DVCAM gear not being optimized for MiniDV format, and to the recorder not being optimized for the magnetic properties of the specific tape being used. (Reember the bias and record current adjustment on audio recorders.) If things are just bit off you see digital errors rather thatn the gradual fall off and increased noise typical of analog systms.

A work-around used by some is to quickly copy the problem tapes from the XL1 to the DSR20 and work with the copy.

Chris Hurd · January 31st, 2003, 12:47 AM

Maxell tape is made by Panasonic, actually.

Always, always, always use a head cleaner in between switching tape brands. The issue here is not Sony vs. Panasonic, but switching from one brand to another. Just don't do it.

Keith Luken · February 3rd, 2003, 12:50 PM

This may be dumb, but is it safe to switch between grades of tape from same manufacturer without issue, as from going from the Panasonic PQ to MQ or from the 63min to 83min tapes or any of those combination as long as they are all Panasonic?

Ken Tanaka · February 3rd, 2003, 01:13 PM

Keith,
I've done that many times with my XL1s and GL2 with no trouble whatsoever.

Dean Sensui · February 3rd, 2003, 02:25 PM

Adam...

For what it's worth, I shoot strictly with Fuji tapes. I also have an XL1s and a Sony DSR-20 and everything works fine. So far.

Also, I shoot nothing but new Fuji tapes in both cameras and never load any tapes that have gone through any other camera or deck, including my own. It prevents the possibility of contaminating the camera's heads.

I'm assuming you're shooting in SP speeds and not LP?

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

January 29th, 2003, 10:27 PM	#1
Adam Alphin Tourist Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2	Panasonic tapes in a Sony deck I just started shooting B-roll and early interviews for a promo video and had an interesting but very frustrating experience recording on Panaosnic tapes. All footage was shot with an XL1s. My deck is a Sony DSR-20 DV-CAM deck but it also can play back Mini-DV tapes. My partner on this project shoots weddings for a living and felt that we should use the Panasonic Master quality Mini-DV tapes that she is acustomed to. She shoots with a Sony and has a less expensive JVC camera for a deck. Right off the bat there were problems. Every tape, when played back in my DSR-20 had audio drop outs and pixelation all over the place. When I stuck the same tape in my XL1s, everything looked fine. I still freaked out and went as far as to do a physical head cleaning at a local camera rental house that had the right tools for the job. Test footage looked fine. Today I shot another interview and first viewed it on my friend's JVC and then tried it out in my DSR-20 again. Fine on the first, same problem on the second. I immediately put the tape back in the XL1s and the footage was fine there too. What's up with these Panasonic tapes? My brand of choice is Maxell. I have never had a problem with them except when I get dirty heads. Is there something physical about the tape that doesn't allow it to play back properly on my deck? Just tonight a friend told me that there are numerous cases out there where switching to Panasonic tapes (after consistantly using Sony tapes) can actually damage the play and record heads of a Sony camera. I'm afraid that these Panasonic tapes could eventually screw up my XL1s! Has anybody had a similar experience?

January 29th, 2003, 10:58 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	This topic has been discussed many times, so rather than cover the same ground let me provide a few links i obtained by using the search button in the upper right. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.ph...der=descending http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/search.ph...der=descending If after reviewing the threads you still have questions feel free to post back. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 31st, 2003, 12:47 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Maxell tape is made by Panasonic, actually. Always, always, always use a head cleaner in between switching tape brands. The issue here is not Sony vs. Panasonic, but switching from one brand to another. Just don't do it. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 3rd, 2003, 01:13 PM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Keith, I've done that many times with my XL1s and GL2 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

January 30th, 2003, 05:37 AM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	There have been reports of occasional issues when attempting to play XL1 tapes in Sony DVCAM gear. And also reports of issues attempting to play MiniDV tapes recorded on DVCAM gear in MiniDV mode on an XL1. Not everyone has probelms, but some people do. The issues may relate to production variations, the DVCAM gear not being optimized for MiniDV format, and to the recorder not being optimized for the magnetic properties of the specific tape being used. (Reember the bias and record current adjustment on audio recorders.) If things are just bit off you see digital errors rather thatn the gradual fall off and increased noise typical of analog systms. A work-around used by some is to quickly copy the problem tapes from the XL1 to the DSR20 and work with the copy.

February 3rd, 2003, 12:50 PM	#5
Keith Luken Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 200	This may be dumb, but is it safe to switch between grades of tape from same manufacturer without issue, as from going from the Panasonic PQ to MQ or from the 63min to 83min tapes or any of those combination as long as they are all Panasonic?

February 3rd, 2003, 02:25 PM	#7
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Adam... For what it's worth, I shoot strictly with Fuji tapes. I also have an XL1s and a Sony DSR-20 and everything works fine. So far. Also, I shoot nothing but new Fuji tapes in both cameras and never load any tapes that have gone through any other camera or deck, including my own. It prevents the possibility of contaminating the camera's heads. I'm assuming you're shooting in SP speeds and not LP? Dean Sensui Base Two Productions