They're not the same as mini-DV.
Yes, you can use mini-dv, at a risk. Bear in mind, the GOP format on cheap tape is a recipe for disaster.
However, Sony, JVC, and Canon all recommend (for good reason) that you use the AME-II manufactured tapes, made for HDV. The reason being, is that the error correction is significantly better, the carrier signal is +4dB greater, it's double layer, it has less stretch, everything about it is made to optimize the HDV experience. Have him look on Ebay, I find them there occasionally for around $9.00.

So Spot, will the HVR-A1 play/record these tapes? I never new that anything else existed. When I received my HVR-A1, it came with a cassette that it says is "designed for HDV" but it also says that it works with DV and after opening the case, the tape was a regular miniDV tape that is "dual layer" and provides fewer errors than DV tape. Am I missing something? I assumed that this was Sony's version of the Panasonic PQ or MQ tapes.
Eventhough this tape provides fewer dropouts, it is still useable with Standard DV but does it take advantage of the tapes advantages when it is being used for Standard DV?
Is this what you are talking about? Is this tape the AME-II tape?
Thanks,

j razz

The tape that came with your A1 is indeed the dual layer AMEII tape.
Can't judge a book by it's cover. It looks the same, but isn't.
You can use for DV too, of course. But that's an expensive DV tape.

"Can't judge a book by it's cover. It looks the same, but isn't."

Do you think the picture looks better? I thought it did, but I was told I was wrong. I was told that the only difference is fewer errors.

The picture "could" look better if you had a lot of errors, but you wouldn't notice. In other words, the concept of a "more robust" recorded picture is related to analog world, not digital world. The nice thing is, with good tape, you never see changes in digital, but if you have an error....ugleeee....
Better tape keeps things rolling along smoothly.

No where I can find in the FX1 manual does it say to use anything but miniDV tapes,, no mention of a robust HDV specific taape, not saying you dont know what you are talkin about, Im new in the HDV world,but they dont print it in the manual.

so is there any other pro tapes that meet this ami II requirement?

I have purchased panasonics high and and sony's as well.

But never hi def mini dv

Yeah, well....it's an FX1. Not considered "professional." Try calling their tech support.
HDV tape at Expandor should have come with your FX1, I think. Maybe they're not packing it with the consumer grade cams, I don't know. Never bought a consumer version.

HDV tape at Expandor (working link)

j razz

oh excuse me "Mr Pro "never bought a consumer grade,, . It is bacically the same Cam. you will also find it on their Pro website.
Geeze.

Has nothing to do with "Mr. Pro." It has to do with what we needed. We have several Z1's, as we need the more robust features. They're not the same cam, contrary to popular belief. We pay for these cams just like everyone else. If someone wants to buy me an FX1 or an HC1, I'll gladly take it, but if we're gonna buy, we're gonna buy what we need. We need the 50i capability; if you're going to interface with the FW cams, you need 50i. By the time you add a Sound Devices box or Beachtek with phantom power and XLR to the FX1, you're not that far off the price of a Z1, and you still don't have the modes, plus 50i, PAL, DVCAM, etc. Black Stretch is a big deal to us, because we shoot a lot in darker places like the Detroit Diesel factory. Apologies if you took offense at my post, it wasn't meant to offend.
My point is, we didn't buy an FX 1, so I don't know what the box includes. I do know for certain the A1u and the Z1u come with the HDV-grade tape.
Additionally, you will not find the FX1 anywhere on the Sony Broadcast pages. Sony Electronics and Sony Broadcast are competitors, not partners.

I didn't get that tape with my FX1 15 months ago, shortly after the FX1 came out. I got the "cheap" $15 tape.