Just got a vx21000, what brand of tapes should I use? at DVinfo.net

David Aguilar · September 28th, 2005, 08:45 PM

I just bought a brand new VX2100, since this is a new cam the brand of MiniDV tape I choose now I would have to stick with for the rest of it's life. (I don't want to mix brands).

Im not sure if I should go with Panasonic AY-DVM60EJ or Sony Premium DVM-60PRL. Even though it cost a few cents more Im leaning towards the Sony just because It will be use on a sony cam.

Will any brand do fine?

Thanks in advance for any input,

Sheila Ward · September 28th, 2005, 10:35 PM

I have the VX2100 and have always used the Sony Premium DVM-60PRL tapes. I have never had a problem. I've never tried the Panasonic tapes so can't really comment on them, but have heard that they are good tapes.

Leslie Wand · September 28th, 2005, 11:18 PM

the story so far;

stick with one brand, doesn't matter which, according to the majority.

in my case, (i'm a hooker, have camera, will shoot), i've used sony, panasonic, tdk, and a few jvc in the same three cameras (1000>150>170), without any problems

leslie

might point out that i don't constantly mix tapes, ie, might shoot 10 of one brand on a job, the next job 20 of another brand (i have client supplied tapes). i do try to avoid alternating tapes on a shoot though.

David Aguilar · September 29th, 2005, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leslie Wand

the story so far;

stick with one brand, doesn't matter which, according to the majority.

in my case, (i'm a hooker, have camera, will shoot), i've used sony, panasonic, tdk, and a few jvc in the same three cameras (1000>150>170), without any problems

leslie

might point out that i don't constantly mix tapes, ie, might shoot 10 of one brand on a job, the next job 20 of another brand (i have client supplied tapes). i do try to avoid alternating tapes on a shoot though.

Do you use a cleaning tape every time you switch to a different brand?

BTW I thik I will stick with Sony Premium DVM-60PRL

Leslie Wand · September 29th, 2005, 04:18 AM

never used a cleaning tape in over 30 years in the industry. on sp cameras i have used a swab and freon, but that was a station camera using multiple pass tapes. cheapskates!

i would use one if the need arises - i've always carried one in my grab bag.

my advice, fwiw, is don't mix tapes if possible, don't re-use tapes more than once or twice, (and then only if they've been 'dumped', not rock'n'rolled). don't use your camera as a deck.

leslie

Gints Klimanis · September 29th, 2005, 07:28 PM

A cleaning tape saved my JVC camcorder. I had been using my little 1998 JVC camcorder as a DV playback/capture machine and neglected to clean it for the last two years. Several months ago, the unit would go into "E04 Safeguard mode" whenever I inserted a tape. I thought the unit had died, but just before tossing it out, I decided to try cleaning the heads with the cleaning tape. Voila !

David Ennis · September 30th, 2005, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leslie Wand

...i've used sony, panasonic, tdk, and a few jvc in the same three cameras.... without any problems...

That's been my experience too, also with three cams, and adding Fuji to the list of tape brands. In the absense of any evidence to the contrary (and there is absense of evidence to the contrary), common sense dictates that tapes are made to a standard and you should be able to use any brand whenever you want to. That's what I've done, and my experience has not contradicted my common sense.

Tom Hardwick · October 1st, 2005, 10:16 AM

I like what Fred says - you should be able to use any brand of tape you choose, at any time, and switch between brands willi-nilli.

But why take chances with your new VX2k1 David? Take a guess at what brand of tape the Sony R & D engineers used when they put literally thousands of metres through those prototype DV deck mechanisms back in the late 90s. I'll bet they didn't go out and buy Memorex, Fuji, Maxell, JVC to do their testing.

tom.

Leslie Wand · October 1st, 2005, 07:39 PM

i was told by a sony tech that with the bvw series betacams they tried a variety of tapes - though not for anything else other than 'breaking and stretching' with ff / rr / cueing...

as for the pro equipment i used - tape brand was NEVER a consideration - though i never did trust ampex 'gearing' - used to get a lot of slack errors...

then again, there wasn't any wet and dry.....

leslie

September 28th, 2005, 08:45 PM	#1
David Aguilar Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Fernando Valley, California Posts: 36	Just got a vx21000, what brand of tapes should I use? I just bought a brand new VX2100, since this is a new cam the brand of MiniDV tape I choose now I would have to stick with for the rest of it's life. (I don't want to mix brands). Im not sure if I should go with Panasonic AY-DVM60EJ or Sony Premium DVM-60PRL. Even though it cost a few cents more Im leaning towards the Sony just because It will be use on a sony cam. Will any brand do fine? Thanks in advance for any input,

September 29th, 2005, 07:28 PM	#6
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Cleaning tape saved my JVC A cleaning tape saved my JVC camcorder. I had been using my little 1998 JVC camcorder as a DV playback/capture machine and neglected to clean it for the last two years. Several months ago, the unit would go into "E04 Safeguard mode" whenever I inserted a tape. I thought the unit had died, but just before tossing it out, I decided to try cleaning the heads with the cleaning tape. Voila !

September 28th, 2005, 10:35 PM	#2
Sheila Ward Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 107	I have the VX2100 and have always used the Sony Premium DVM-60PRL tapes. I have never had a problem. I've never tried the Panasonic tapes so can't really comment on them, but have heard that they are good tapes.

September 28th, 2005, 11:18 PM	#3
Leslie Wand Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: upper hunter, australia Posts: 1,410	the story so far; stick with one brand, doesn't matter which, according to the majority. in my case, (i'm a hooker, have camera, will shoot), i've used sony, panasonic, tdk, and a few jvc in the same three cameras (1000>150>170), without any problems leslie might point out that i don't constantly mix tapes, ie, might shoot 10 of one brand on a job, the next job 20 of another brand (i have client supplied tapes). i do try to avoid alternating tapes on a shoot though.

September 29th, 2005, 04:18 AM	#5
Leslie Wand Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: upper hunter, australia Posts: 1,410	never used a cleaning tape in over 30 years in the industry. on sp cameras i have used a swab and freon, but that was a station camera using multiple pass tapes. cheapskates! i would use one if the need arises - i've always carried one in my grab bag. my advice, fwiw, is don't mix tapes if possible, don't re-use tapes more than once or twice, (and then only if they've been 'dumped', not rock'n'rolled). don't use your camera as a deck. leslie

October 1st, 2005, 10:16 AM	#8
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I like what Fred says - you should be able to use any brand of tape you choose, at any time, and switch between brands willi-nilli. But why take chances with your new VX2k1 David? Take a guess at what brand of tape the Sony R & D engineers used when they put literally thousands of metres through those prototype DV deck mechanisms back in the late 90s. I'll bet they didn't go out and buy Memorex, Fuji, Maxell, JVC to do their testing. tom.

October 1st, 2005, 07:39 PM	#9
Leslie Wand Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: upper hunter, australia Posts: 1,410	i was told by a sony tech that with the bvw series betacams they tried a variety of tapes - though not for anything else other than 'breaking and stretching' with ff / rr / cueing... as for the pro equipment i used - tape brand was NEVER a consideration - though i never did trust ampex 'gearing' - used to get a lot of slack errors... then again, there wasn't any wet and dry..... leslie