HDV tape vs. normal tape?

newbe wrote on 6/15/2006, 7:16 AM
The storeowner where I purchased my Sony FX1E tells me I should always use the Sony ME DVM63 tapes, only this tape guarantees no dropouts so he says. Price: about $16.

Another store guy tells me the TDK dvm60 MASTER can hold just as much HDV data as the Sony tape and no dropouts either. Price: $5.

What do you good people think about this: should I spend 3 times as much for a HDVD tape or can I take a chance and use the TDK?

Thanks for any info on this problem.

Comments

Jay Gladwell wrote on 6/15/2006, 7:44 AM

The tapes will hold the same about of data regardless.

If you don't mind dropouts, then get the cheaper tapes. Some folks drink and drive and never get caught or have an accident.

If it helps, read this.


riredale wrote on 6/15/2006, 1:47 PM
I've used the TDK 63 minute miniDV tapes from Costco (8-pack, $20) for years. I started shooting HDV only since March, and have seen one (1) dropout. This is over about 10 tapes.

People elsewhere on the web are reporting that dropouts are not much of an issue. However, it's like anything else--if you want to absolutely, positively, be assured in your mind that you've done everything possible to mitigate the dropout issue, get the Sony HDV tapes. Spot here on the forum I think has some positive feedback on these tapes.

The ultimate dropout prevention method is to feed the HDV signal live to your laptop and capture there. There are probably portable hard drive solutions available by now, too.
winrockpost wrote on 6/15/2006, 2:03 PM
i use the standard sony tapes I've always used,, have yet to have one dropout shooting HDV, shot maybe 30-35 tapes so far, but,, who knows what will happen on the next shoot. ,so far so good . I figure my first dropout will be when I try one of the special HDV tapes to be sure I wont have a dropout : )
jrazz wrote on 6/15/2006, 2:08 PM
I finally had one on my second a1. It is very noticeable when you get one (at least on mine it was). This was probably the 8th tape I used through that cam. I use the Panasonic PQ 83 minute tapes and that is all I have used over the past 2 years now.

j razz
Serena wrote on 6/15/2006, 6:13 PM
Many have reported no problems using DV tapes in the Sony HDV cameras, but usually add the caveat that tapes are used once only (twice, actually, because capture involves a second pass). The official recommendation is to use the HDV tapes and while these are more expensive, tape is cheap (must be the least of production costs) and a 15 frame drop out certainly ruins a take. Spot recommends the Sony HDV tape for the Z1 (or did, anyway).
Final thing: the general word is DO NOT mix tape brands. Different lubricants apparently can interact to form gummy deposits on heads. Consequently I use only Sony tapes and have used the HDV tapes since getting into video. So far no problems even with tapes that have done a number of passes (tapes kept for testing).
riredale wrote on 6/15/2006, 7:41 PM
Don't mean to quibble, but I suspect the "mixing lubricants" issue happened a long time ago, and it's now passed into the realm of Urban Legend. Any current objective reviews showing this is a current problem?
Jim H wrote on 6/15/2006, 10:11 PM
Cover your ears, this might be offensive to some, but I've got a bad habit of using the same cheap tape over and over again. The stuff I shoot isn't all that critical and I can always work around any small problems. But I just now started getting drop outs on my old standby so I switched to another plain mini DV tape and don't see any problems and I'm on the fourth or fifth use.
DJPadre wrote on 6/15/2006, 10:36 PM
"Don't mean to quibble, but I suspect the "mixing lubricants" issue happened a long time ago, and it's now passed into the realm of Urban Legend. Any current objective reviews showing this is a current problem?"

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the issue is still rampant..

as for tapes, ive never had an issue with MQ's... ever... in 4 years im yet to have a dropout with these tapes... and yes i do reuse them up to 4 times...
newbe wrote on 6/16/2006, 11:38 PM
Thanks to all for the advice, since I never use a tape more then once I’m going to give the TDK tapes a try.
I don’t like to waste money and tapes three times the price I do find a bit exaggerated.
Not being a professional a dropout is no disaster to me.
Thanks