How important is the type of tape used for HVR-A1U? at DVinfo.net

Manuel Guzman · October 20th, 2006, 02:05 PM

I just ordered a Sony HVR-A1U and was curious how important is the type of tapes I used with this camcorder? On Amazon's site, I see it state:

"No new tape stock
The HVR-A1U is compatible with conventional DV tape stock, but Sony recommends the use of DigitalMaster PHDVM-63DM tape, with its dual layer of magnetic material, which delivers higher RF output, lower noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer dropouts compared to regular DV tape."

So will I see a huge difference in image quality? This is for home personal use, not documentary or anything commercial. Thank you.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · October 20th, 2006, 02:10 PM

no difference in image quality unless you have very dirty heads, where you might have dropouts and the decoder can't reassemble the image correctly. However, with HDV, dropouts can potentially be much more deadly.

Stu Holmes · October 20th, 2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manuel Guzman

I just ordered a Sony HVR-A1U and was curious how important is the type of tapes I used with this camcorder? On Amazon's site, I see it state:

"No new tape stock
The HVR-A1U is compatible with conventional DV tape stock, but Sony recommends the use of DigitalMaster PHDVM-63DM tape, with its dual layer of magnetic material, which delivers higher RF output, lower noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer dropouts compared to regular DV tape."

So will I see a huge difference in image quality? This is for home personal use, not documentary or anything commercial. Thank you.

No difference in image quality whatsoever. It's digital tape, it's not analogue tape.

The only reason to buy the more expensive tapes is to, potentially, reduce the frequency of tape 'dropouts' which are 'glitches. Sony would like you to buy the more expensive tapes all the time to, of course, improve their profit&loss line on their accounts....

Manuel Guzman · October 20th, 2006, 05:02 PM

Awesome. Thanks for your help. OK. I just ordered several tapes. Can't wait until I receive the HDV cam. Hope I get a week of nice weather so I can play around with the camera :)

Simon Greenwood · October 25th, 2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Holmes

No difference in image quality whatsoever. It's digital tape, it's not analogue tape.

The only reason to buy the more expensive tapes is to, potentially, reduce the frequency of tape 'dropouts' which are 'glitches. Sony would like you to buy the more expensive tapes all the time to, of course, improve their profit&loss line on their accounts....

I could not agree more. I was in Ibiza in June when I ran out of Digital Master tape. I searched everywhere and in the end gave up confident that there were none on the Island. I settled for some standard economy (couple of Euro) DV tapes.

Well there were no dropped frames on the first tape so I used the rest of the pack of 4 and still no dropped frames... Well it is October now and I have yet to see a dropped frame from any standard DV tape.

The experience has saved me a small fortune as I am the kind of guy who always would insist on the very best media, the fact is that unless your work mission critical standard DV tape will do just fine.

Lee Kazimir · October 27th, 2006, 05:15 AM

I have shot about 100 hours of HDV only using standard DV tapes. I am seeing about one dropout every 3 hours so far. For me, that is small enough to live with.

Dave Halliday · October 27th, 2006, 04:12 PM

When I first got my A1, I had probably 15 dropouts on 3 hours of footage. I was very unhappy, and I switched to sony's [expensive] HDV tapes for a while, and everything got better. Now, I'm back to using the cheapest 60 min. Sony tapes ($2.79/per), and I'm getting about a dropout every 2 hours or so. No big deal. I go through about 5-10 tapes a month, so it's a lot cheaper this way.

Poppe Johansson · October 28th, 2006, 01:39 AM

I've been always using those cheapest 60 min Sony tapes. Tape run info says I have shot/played 130 hours (A1e) and I really have had only 2-4 dropouts! So reading those previous posts I think you're having lots of dropouts. Lucky me. I have used cleaning tape once, after my second dropout.

James Harring · October 28th, 2006, 03:58 AM

Am using the TDK "non hdv" tape you buy at Costco. So far 15 tapes, no issues in recording.

Occasionally I do see what appears to be a "dropout" when capturing, but I rewind to that scene later on and recapture and so far the "dropout" has not reoccured. I've only seen 4 of them so far.

I use dropout loosely, as I have not eliminated the PC from potential culpability.

I am satisfied.

Jeff DeMello · March 28th, 2008, 03:38 PM

I, too, am using the TDK "non hdv" tape you buy at Costco (this was recommended from a seasoned pro videographer). After 2 years of shooting both DV and HDV I've had zero drop outs. :)

Peter Rhalter · March 29th, 2008, 07:03 AM

I also use standard DV tapes for my HVR-A1U; specifically Panasonic DVM63PQ tapes that I buy for $3.65 each from a well-known NY mail house. I can't remember the last time I had a dropout, it has been so long.

Enjoy,

Best wishes,
Peter Rhalter
www.parkfilms.com

Robert M Wright · March 29th, 2008, 12:40 PM

There aren't any different specs for MiniDV tape and HDV tape. In other words, any manufacturer of MiniDV tapes (that meet specs for MiniDV tape) can slap HDV on the label without it being a false claim.

Richard Gooderick · March 29th, 2008, 02:30 PM

I have never had any dropout using standard Sony dv tapes with my A1E.

I had one dropout with my Canon A1 and now only use hdv tapes in that. The dropout was in the middle of an important take that I would otherwise have used.

My dealer told me that hdv tapes do have some kind of surface varnish which makes them more resistant to dropout.

I don't know how true this is but I don't want to take the risk when I am doing paid work.

October 20th, 2006, 02:05 PM	#1
Manuel Guzman New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elk Grove, California Posts: 12	How important is the type of tape used for HVR-A1U? I just ordered a Sony HVR-A1U and was curious how important is the type of tapes I used with this camcorder? On Amazon's site, I see it state: "No new tape stock The HVR-A1U is compatible with conventional DV tape stock, but Sony recommends the use of DigitalMaster PHDVM-63DM tape, with its dual layer of magnetic material, which delivers higher RF output, lower noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer dropouts compared to regular DV tape." So will I see a huge difference in image quality? This is for home personal use, not documentary or anything commercial. Thank you.

October 20th, 2006, 02:10 PM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	no difference in image quality unless you have very dirty heads, where you might have dropouts and the decoder can't reassemble the image correctly. However, with HDV, dropouts can potentially be much more deadly. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

October 28th, 2006, 03:58 AM	#9
James Harring Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 210	A1u tape type Am using the TDK "non hdv" tape you buy at Costco. So far 15 tapes, no issues in recording. Occasionally I do see what appears to be a "dropout" when capturing, but I rewind to that scene later on and recapture and so far the "dropout" has not reoccured. I've only seen 4 of them so far. I use dropout loosely, as I have not eliminated the PC from potential culpability. I am satisfied.

March 28th, 2008, 03:38 PM	#10
Jeff DeMello Tourist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Posts: 2	CostCo TDK works for me! I, too, am using the TDK "non hdv" tape you buy at Costco (this was recommended from a seasoned pro videographer). After 2 years of shooting both DV and HDV I've had zero drop outs. :)

October 20th, 2006, 05:02 PM	#4
Manuel Guzman New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elk Grove, California Posts: 12	Awesome. Thanks for your help. OK. I just ordered several tapes. Can't wait until I receive the HDV cam. Hope I get a week of nice weather so I can play around with the camera :)

October 27th, 2006, 05:15 AM	#6
Lee Kazimir Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 28	I have shot about 100 hours of HDV only using standard DV tapes. I am seeing about one dropout every 3 hours so far. For me, that is small enough to live with.

October 27th, 2006, 04:12 PM	#7
Dave Halliday Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 116	When I first got my A1, I had probably 15 dropouts on 3 hours of footage. I was very unhappy, and I switched to sony's [expensive] HDV tapes for a while, and everything got better. Now, I'm back to using the cheapest 60 min. Sony tapes ($2.79/per), and I'm getting about a dropout every 2 hours or so. No big deal. I go through about 5-10 tapes a month, so it's a lot cheaper this way.

October 28th, 2006, 01:39 AM	#8
Poppe Johansson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 77	I've been always using those cheapest 60 min Sony tapes. Tape run info says I have shot/played 130 hours (A1e) and I really have had only 2-4 dropouts! So reading those previous posts I think you're having lots of dropouts. Lucky me. I have used cleaning tape once, after my second dropout.

March 29th, 2008, 07:03 AM	#11
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	I also use standard DV tapes for my HVR-A1U; specifically Panasonic DVM63PQ tapes that I buy for $3.65 each from a well-known NY mail house. I can't remember the last time I had a dropout, it has been so long. Enjoy, Best wishes, Peter Rhalter www.parkfilms.com

March 29th, 2008, 12:40 PM	#12
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	There aren't any different specs for MiniDV tape and HDV tape. In other words, any manufacturer of MiniDV tapes (that meet specs for MiniDV tape) can slap HDV on the label without it being a false claim.

March 29th, 2008, 02:30 PM	#13
Richard Gooderick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 795	I have never had any dropout using standard Sony dv tapes with my A1E. I had one dropout with my Canon A1 and now only use hdv tapes in that. The dropout was in the middle of an important take that I would otherwise have used. My dealer told me that hdv tapes do have some kind of surface varnish which makes them more resistant to dropout. I don't know how true this is but I don't want to take the risk when I am doing paid work.